All the discontinued Watches from Rolex in 2025
F.P. Journe
Tourbillon Souverain Ref. TN
At The Second Hand Club, we are proud to have this incredibly rare FP Journe Resonance "Parking Meter" in excellent condition with its original box and paperwork.
About the brand
Let us share with you the captivating tale of F.P. Journe, a brand that exudes excellence and luxury in the world of horology. The journey of François-Paul Journe, the founder, began long before he established his own watch company in 1999. Born in the enchanting port city of Marseille, France in 1957, his passion for watchmaking was ignited in the cradle of France.
At the tender age of 14, he enrolled in a technical college and honed his skills. Years of hard work and dedication culminated in his graduation from the Paris watchmaking school in 1976. A mere two years later, Journe began working on his first tourbillon pocket watch, inspired by a George Daniels pocket watch that he had glimpsed on a client at his uncle's watchmaking studio. The master watchmaker would later be mentored by none other than the legendary George Daniels, the mastermind behind the Co-Axial Escapement.
At the age of 22, Journe was commissioned by Parisian ateliers P-G Brun to design a planetarium mechanism for Asprey in London. He worked tirelessly for seven years, and in 1983, he completed his first tourbillon pocket watch. He created the watch in his free time when he wasn't busy working for his uncle. François-Paul meticulously crafted every component of the watch, including the gold and silver case.
In 1985, Journe established his workshop where he created bespoke watches for collectors. A year later, F.P. Journe's first automatic chronometer pocket watch was born. This horological masterpiece housed a fusée chain and a five-second remontoire, along with a retrograde perpetual calendar and equation of time. In 1987, he crafted a planetary pocket watch that was commissioned by a collector.
Journe's skills and passion for watchmaking earned him several prestigious awards over the years. He received recognition from the Fondation Marcel Bleustein-Blanchet pour la Vocation, the Watchmakers Convention in Madrid, the Institut l'Homme et le Temps' Gaia Award for the Best Watchmaker, and the Prix Spécial du Jury.
In 1989, F.P. Journe established a movement manufacturer in Switzerland, where they eventually settled in Geneva. In 1991, Journe crafted his first wristwatch, creating the entire movement out of 18k gold. Just a few years later, in 1996, he founded TIM SA, a manufacturer dedicated to developing exclusive calibers.
The Tourbillon Souverain was launched in 1999, along with the newly established Montres Journe SA. The watch was inscribed with the words "F.P. Journe – Invenit et Fecit," which translates to "invented and made," signifying that it was an original conception crafted by only the best of craftsmen.
F.P. Journe continued to grow, and by 2000, the manufacturer had 50 employees producing 3-4 watches per day. In 2001, Journe developed the Octa caliber, his first mechanical movement that was self-winding. He would also work on the Opus One collection for Harry Winston.
Journe's success continued, and in 2003, he opened his first boutique in the Omotesando district of Tokyo, a vibrant hub for culture and the arts. This was followed by a Hong Kong boutique in 2006 and the first European boutique in Geneva in 2007. Today, F.P. Journe has boutiques around the world, including in the United States, showcasing Journe's captivating timepieces.
In 2018, Chanel acquired a minority stake in F.P. Journe, further solidifying the brand's place in the luxury watch industry. Journe's legacy has also inspired other up-and-coming independent watchmakers, including Rexhep Rexhepi, who worked for F.P. Journe before founding his own independent brand, Akrivia.
As a watch expert, I am in awe of Journe's dedication and commitment to creating truly exceptional watches that stand the test of time. His innovative designs and impeccable craftsmanship make F.P. Journe a true icon in the world of luxury watches.
The watch
Indulge in the timeless elegance of the Tourbillon Souverain, the masterpiece wristwatch crafted by the celebrated Montres Journe brand. First introduced in 1999, this timepiece was the brand's inaugural production wristwatch, featuring a Remontoir d'Egalité mechanism and without the dead-beat second complication showcased in later iterations. In 2004, Journe elevated the manufacturing process by developing movements made from 18-carat gold, as a testament to the brand's evolution.
This particular piece belongs to the Tourbillon Nouveau series, denoted by the distinguished 'TN' engraving on the case back, and unveiled in April 2004. This model is a tribute to the original design, with the only remaining part from the original Tourbillon models being the tourbillon cage, while all other components underwent a magnificent and stunning redesign.
The Tourbillon Souverain embodies the F.P. Journe brand's essence, with its exquisite design language and flawless movement. Nestled within a classic 40mm dress watch case, it is immediately recognizable by F.P. Journe's signature ‘flat crown’ with a captivating rope-like pattern. The grey dial is luxuriously textured and features a separate silver guilloché dial, elegantly displaying the hours and minutes. The Latin phrase ‘Invenit et Fecit’ (which means "Invented and Made") is carefully inscribed beneath the tourbillon, paying homage to sign customs of a bygone era. Another inscription, ‘avec Seconde Morte,' signifies the added complication in later models. At 12 o'clock, a 42-hour power reserve indicator is proudly displayed. The dial's overall layout is clean and highly legible, a testament to the brand's attention to detail.
In the same location as the Rementoir d'egalité of earlier models, dead-beat seconds are now showcased at 6 o'clock on the dial. The term ‘Seconde Morte' or ‘dead-beat seconds,' describes the way the hand remains motionless until the second has passed, a signature characteristic of the model.
The F.P. Journe caliber 1403 tourbillon movement is a manual-winding mechanism, encased in 18k rose gold with fausses-côtes embellishments. It features 25 jewels, a shock-absorber mechanism, straight-line lever escapement, and a monometallic 4-arm balance with 4 timing weights, all finely adjusted to 5 positions. The self-compensating free-sprung flat balance spring is a marvel of craftsmanship. The movement is inscribed with the words 'Chronometre A Tourbillon,' a hallmark of exceptional quality.
The F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain is a modern interpretation of the brand's earliest works, blending traditional 19th-century watchmaking with contemporary haute-horology seamlessly. The 40mm platinum case housing this masterpiece is a testament to the brand's visionary and inspired designs. Meticulously crafted by François-Paul Journe, this timepiece is the epitome of finesse, romance, and craftsmanship, a culmination of his mastery, inspired by his initial works restoring 18th and 19th-century marine chronometers and pocket watches. Owning this timepiece will make you the envy of every watch enthusiast, a true testament to the art of horology.
Specifications
Movement | Manual Winding |
---|---|
Calibre |
F.P. Journe Caliber 1403
|
Dial | White Gold |
Case size | 40mm |
Material | Platinum |
Bracelet | F.P. Journe burgundy leather strap |
Glass | Sapphire |
Condition | Excellent |
Box & Papers | Complete, Full set |
About the brand
About the watch
At The Second Hand Club, we are committed advocates for the exceptional quality of our curated selection of pre-owned timepieces and mechanical objects. In the event of an unexpected issue, we remain committed to addressing it promptly and effectively. Our client's trust and satisfaction are paramount to our entire team.
Each pre-owned watch in our collection has been meticulously examined using non-intrusive methods to confirm their mechanical integrity. Where necessary, servicing has been performed to guarantee they align with our highest standards for timekeeping precision and functional performance.
Unless explicitly indicated, our pre-owned watches are protected by either a comprehensive or a limited warranty for a period of twenty-four months. However, this warranty does not cover damages resulting from accidents or misuse. Given their vintage status, pre-owned watches may not withstand the same conditions as brand new models.
We have a no refund policy, which means that all sales are final.
In some rare cases, we will accept a return awarding you with a store credit making you eligible to choose a different watch from our inventory using your initial payment amount towards the new timepiece.
To be eligible for a return, your item must be in the same condition that you received it, unworn or unused, with tags, and in its original packaging. You’ll also need the receipt or proof of purchase.
To start a return, you can contact us at contact@thesecondhandclub.com. If your return is accepted, we’ll send you a return shipping label, as well as instructions on how and where to send your package. Items sent back to us without first requesting a return will not be accepted.
You can always contact us for any return question at contact@thesecondhandclub.com.
Damages and issues
Please inspect your order upon reception and contact us immediately if the item is defective, damaged or if you receive the wrong item, so that we can evaluate the issue and make it right.
Refunds
All sales are final. We do not issue refunds.