Tourbillon Nouveau | 38mm | Platinum

Part of the second series of tourbillon watches produced by F. P. Journe, this Tourbillon Souverain TN* is a redesign of the original Tourbillon Souverain. All aspects, beside the tourbillon cage, were thoroughly reimagined, while maintaining Journe's style and aesthetics. The diameter of the watch is also 38mm rather than the typical 40mm, a very rarely seen size in the series that makes this a true collectors example. Very few have surfaced publicly, in a combination that combines Journe's more technical watch, in his most coveted and iconic case size.

This Tourbillon Souverain is part of the Tourbillon Nouveau (TN) series, launched by F. P. Journe in 2004. It is a complete redesign of the original Tourbillon Souverain, and only the placement and design of the tourbillon cage was retained; Journe removed the remontoire from view and added a deadbeat seconds complication in its place at 6 o'clock.

This Tourbillon Souverain TN is quintessentially Journe, both in its design language and movement. The textured silvery-grey dial is a smooth canvas, not distracting the wearer from the tourbillon cage at 9 o'clock, or the separate silvered guilloché dial that is used for the hours and minutes. The words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ are inscribed above the tourbillon (Latin for ‘Invented and Made’ or more literally 'Designed and built by F. P. Journe'), in classic F. P. Journe style - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago. Also inscribed are the words 'Remontoire d'Egalité' and 'avec Seconde Morte', denoting the added deadbeat seconds complication. At 12 o’clock, a power reserve indicator of 42 hours is displayed.

The natural deadbeat seconds is displayed at 6 o’clock, concealing the remontoire, which featured more prominently on the first Tourbillon Souverain. The term ‘Seconde Morte' or ‘deadbeat seconds’, is derived from the way in which the hand remains motionless, until the second has passed. More usually seen in 40mm, this watch has a diameter of 38mm, a slightly smaller size, that is very rarely seen in the series.

The Tourbillon Souverain TN is powered by the F. P. Journe calibre 1403, which is an 18k rose gold movement with Remontoir 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', and it is decorated with Côtes de Genève.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this F. P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This F. P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain is in very good overall condition. The case and lugs show very light superficial marks throughout, only on the very surface of the material. More specifically, there is a very light scuff on the midcase and bezel at the nine o'clock position, similarly only on the very surface of the material. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfection. The hallmarks and engravings on the caseback are crisp and well defined. 

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.