This 40mm, platinum Tourbillon Souverain TN (or Tourbillon Nouveau) is one of the second series of Tourbillon watches produced by F. P. Journe, and was recently serviced by the brand in 2020. Introduced in 1999, the Tourbillon Sourverain was the first serial production watch by François-Paul Journe, building on the watchmaker's first-ever wristwatch.

Tourbillon Souverain

The earliest Tourbillon Souverain pieces were originally made between 1999 and 2003, with a Remontoir d’Egalité; rather than a dead-beat seconds complication. This example, is part of the Tourbillon Nouveau series (indicated by ‘TN’ engraving on the caseback), launched in 2004. In the redesign of the series, only the tourbillion cage was kept from the original 'T' models, with all other aspects thoroughly rethought.

The Tourbillon Souverain is quintessentially an F.P Journe, in both its design language and movement. Housed in a classical 40mm dress watch case, it's made distinctive by a number of signature F.P. Journe features throughout. The white gold dial is delicately textured, and displays a separate silver guilloché dial for the hours and minutes. The words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ are inscribed at 1 o'clock (Latin for ‘Invented and Made’ or more literally 'Designed and built by F.P. Journe') - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago. Also inscribed are the words 'avec Seconde Morte', denoting the added dead seconds complication. At 12 o’clock, a power reserve indicator of 42 hours is displayed. Overall, the dial layout is well balanced and highly legible.

The natural dead-beat seconds is displayed at 6 o’clock, concealing the Rementoir d'egalité, from the reference T. The term ‘Seconde Morte' or ‘dead-beat seconds’, is derived from the way in which the hand remains motionless, until the second has passed.

The Movement

This manual-winding, F.P. Journe caliber 1403 tourbillon movement is 18-carat rose gold, with Rementoir d'egalité, constructed with 25 jewels and a shock-absorber mechanism. It further features a straight-line lever escapement, and monometallic 4-arm balance with 4 timing weights, adjusted to 5 positions. It includes a self-compensating free-sprung flat balance spring. The movement is engraved 'Chronometre A Tourbillon', decorated with Côtes de Genève.

The Set

This F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain TN comes with an original F.P Journe, black alligator strap, a taupe Zürich grained leather strap with curved ends (measuring 20 x 19mm) and corresponding platinum tang buckle. It's also accompanied by the original inner and outer boxes, stamped guarantee card and booklet. The watch was serviced recently serviced by the manufacture and comes with a copy of the servicing paperwork from F.P. Journe (dated May 2020).

The earliest works of François-Paul Journe, effortlessly blend traditional 19th-century watchmaking with modern haute-horology, in perfect harmony. Housed in a 40mm platinum case, this F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain represents a modern take on his original, inspired design.

Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.