Auctions A Unique Set Of All Five F.P. Journe Souscription Models To Be Sold By Phillips This Fall

If you want to go all-in on Journe, this batch – fresh to the market and from the original owner – is certainly one way to do it. That said, you’ll need to win not one but five lots, as the set is being offered in individual lots at the sale this coming November.

I spoke with Paul Boutros, Head of Watches, Americas, and Senior VP at Phillips – not to mention a HODINKEE contributor – and he was able to share a bit more about the source of this bounty. The owner is now approaching his 90s and, given that his children are not into watch collecting, he would like to sell the watches to care for his children and grandchildren (that’s some grandpa!). He approached F.P. Journe about the best method of making the sale and Journe recommended he contact Phillips. So here we are.

“Journe has earned the respect of even the most critical watch enthusiasts due to his noble focus on timekeeping precision, his fiercely independent nature, unique aesthetics, and devotion to in-house design and manufacturing," Boutros says. "Starting his brand in 1999, he was one of the earliest trail-blazing independent watchmakers to embark on his own to create his own brand – now amongst the most revered of the independents. This set is comprised of the very first examples of the first five models that launched his brand, all purchased by a single owner and longtime supporter of F.P.Journe. The only full set of five 'Souscription' pieces with matching serial numbers that exists – all with serial number 1, no less.”

Starting with the Tourbillon à Remontoir d’Égalité, some 20 clients joined a subscription that would essentially allow for a pre-order of the watch in order to help fund Journe’s brand launch. When Journe followed up with the Chronomètre à Résonance the next year, the same clients were offered pieces with production numbers that matched those of their original Tourbillon à Remontoir d’Égalité Souscription watches.

Then, when the Octa collection launched, the same offer was made to those patrons who had purchased the first two models under the “souscription” format, with the first 20 examples of each reference being offered with matching numbers. These three models are the Octa Réserve de Marche, the Octa Chronographe, and the Octa Calendrier. Any one of these would make for a noteworthy lot at auction, but given that all five are on the table and that all five are N°1 in each series, well, you get the picture. Now let’s talk numbers.

The platinum Tourbillon à Remontoir d’Égalité – proudly showing 1/20 in its dial – is carrying an estimate of CHF 300,000 - 600,000. Next, we have the platinum and pink gold Chronomètre à Résonance with an estimate of CHF 200,000 - 400,000. The Octa Réserve de Marche at CHF 50,000 – 100,00. Then my personal favorite of the five, the jaw-dropping Octa Chronographe is projected to sell for CHF 100,000 to 200,000. And finally, the gorgeous Octa Calendrier is predicted at CHF 80,000 – 160,000.

While pandemic pricing and surging demand have made a lot of estimates look very silly in recent days, we’re still looking at a predicted range of 730,000 - 1,460,000 if you really wanted all five watches (that’s also before premiums). And it does seem a bit of a shame to break up the team, no?

Interested parties (or just very polite looky-loos, like myself) should note that the entire set will be available for viewing at the F.P. Journe boutique in Miami on June 11th from 11 AM - 5 PM along with an array of other special Journe creations on loan from collectors. This will certainly be a sale to watch, both for the curious and the collector. Sadly for me, Mr. Boutros declined to convey my generous offer of "surrogate grandsonship" to the original owner. Stay tuned for more as the leaves start to turn this fall.