It's being auctioned on A Collected Man, with bidding taking place directly on our website. All proceeds, not just profits, from the sale of this illustration will be donated to the Wellcome Trust's COVID-Zero Research Initiative, specifically in their efforts to fund vaccine development against the virus.
Measuring an impressive 25.75" by 40” (65.4 x 101.6 cm), this illustration recreates in vivid detail the first wristwatch made by Journe, integrating a tourbillon and a remontoire d’egalité. Completed in 1991, it laid the foundations for all the pieces which would follow, cementing Journe’s horological skill and aesthetic from early on.
From the impression of motion conveyed by the rotating tourbillon to the hand-engraved numerals on the power reserve, the illustration wonderfully captures the essence of this historic watch, in all of its small, captivating details.
Fading into the strap, Kraulis has also depicted a stylised view of the movement mechanics, depicting the remontoire d’egalité, the core of the watch, at an angle.
On the bottom left corner, it is signed by Francois-Paul Journe in French, who left a small message when we presented it to him in 2018, in Geneva. The message reads,
“What a crazy piece of work! This drawing of my first wristwatch.”
- Francois-Paul Journe
Julie Kraulis, the talented Canadian artist known for her focus on the graphical representation of horological objects, describes her discovery of Francois-Paul Journe's work as such, "Upon discovering F.P. Journe, I became fascinated by his unique and creative approach to the art of timekeeping. His timepieces were unlike any I'd come across before."
With Kraulis and A Collected Man having discussed this project for quite some time, she comments, "The design aesthetic and mechanical prowess are truly remarkable and so, it was a very special honour to work with A Collected Man on this project to capture Journe's first, foundational piece from which he would build his independent empire."
The auction will end at midnight (BST) on Sunday, 31st May. Any bid coming in within 10 minutes of the auction's ending time, will extend the auction by 5 mins.