It was over 30 years ago that F. P Journe’s name first adorned the dial of a watch. It was a handmade, tourbillon pocket-watch in the style of Breguet, inspired by the late George Daniels. This example, the Tourbillon Historique, was created as a homage to François-Paul Journe’s very first watch. Introduced in 2013, the Tourbillon Historique was a limited series of 99 pieces, sold directly to F. P Journe’s most loyal clients.
In the design, Monsieur Journe used familiar pieces from the original pocket watch. The dial exhibits a fine, granular surface with lacquer-filled, engraved Roman numerals and markings.
The central-time dial displays a railway-style minute track, with a smaller running-seconds subsidiary dial at 6 o'clock. The hours, minutes and subsidiary seconds are vertically displayed, with the words ‘F. P Journe’ and ‘Invenit et Fecit’ inscribed either side of the two dials (Latin for “Invented and Made”) in classic F. P Journe style - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago. The latter replaces “A. Paris”, featured on the original pocket watch.
Sized at a contemporary 40mm, this rose gold and guilloché silver Historical Anniversary Tourbillion features a rounded bezel, thin lugs and the manufactures' signature ‘flat crown’ with a rope-like pattern. The entire watch is polished and mirror-finished, while the crown itself is engraved. The combination of silver and gold is unique amongst contemporary case-making, taking inspiration from Journe’s first pocket watch.
The guilloché-decorated hinged caseback reveals a movement which, at first glance, appears centuries old. Manufactured from softly-grained gilt brass, the movement is further accented by highly-polished and beveled edges - with bridges, plates and large blued screws reminiscent of 19th century Breguet.
The F. P Journe Calibre 1412 is constructed with 178 components, oscillating at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour. The movement features 19 working jewels, monometallic balance with 4 inertia weights, a flat anachron balance spring with Breguet overcoil and a fixed stud holder. Two parallel barrels power the tourbillon below. The Historical Anniversary Tourbillion has a power-reserve of 56 hours.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
