F. P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain, Seconde Morte, 40mm, Platinum

The Tourbillon Souverain was the very first production wristwatch from Montres Journe, originally made between 1999 and 2003, with a Remontoir d’Egalité; rather than a dead-beat seconds complication.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 is made distinctive by F.P. Journe’s signature ‘flat crown’ with a rope-like pattern. The rose gold dial is delicately textured, and displays a separate silver guilloché dial for the hours and minutes. The words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ are inscribed below the tourbillon (Latin for “Invented and Made”) - 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 clean and highly legible.

The dead-beat seconds are displayed at 6 o’clock, in place of 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.

This manual-winding, F.P. Journe caliber 1403 tourbillon movement is 18k rose-gold, with Côtes de Genève embellishments, 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'.

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.

Closer look