Decoding the Worth: Are Luxury Watches a Lucrative Investment?
F.P. Journe
Chronometre Bleu
At The Second Hand Club, we are proud to have this incredibly rare FP Journe Chronometre Bleu in excellent condition with its original box.
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 1304
|
Dial | White Gold |
Case size | 39mm |
Material | Tantalum |
Bracelet | F.P. Journe leather strap |
Glass | Sapphire |
Condition | Excellent |
Box & Papers | Comes with original box |
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.