An innovative and rebellious watchmaker, François-Paul Journe has inspired a generation of contemporary watchmakers with the originality of his creations, his quest for precision, his highly recognisable timeless style and his respect for the ethics of watchmaking traditions. Fascinated by the tourbillon from an early age, François-Paul Journe began making his first watch entirely by hand, a tourbillon pocket-watch, at the age of 20. In 1991, he created his first tourbillon wristwatch, the few examples of which were sold to a handful of expert collectors. In 1999, he launched the first Tourbillon Souverain with remontoir d'égalité in a wristwatch. Collectors competed for the 20 pieces produced. The year 2003 saw the birth of the new generation of Tourbillon Souverain, to which François-Paul Journe added the natural deadbeat seconds function. From then on, to make them even more precious, he produced these haute horlogerie movements in 18-carat pink gold, a first in the world of contemporary mechanical watchmaking. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this emblematic wristwatch, F.P.Journe developed a tourbillon by placing the traditional horizontal cage vertically. "I have designed this vertical tourbillon in such a way that the operation of the tourbillon is constant, regardless of whether the watch is in a flat position or positioned sideways, and thus offers the same amplitude whether with a folding clasp positioned on the side or with a pin buckle lying down." This vertical tourbillon with remontoir and deadbeat seconds completes a complete evolution in 30 seconds, a faster rotation than the usual one minute. In order to visually admire the technique, Journe has sculpted a mirror-polished conical ring around the cage, which concentrates the light and reflects the tourbillon cage. A second reflector has been created on the side of the movement to let the light also filter around the tourbillon cage. A large 4N pink gold guilloché "Clous de Paris" bridge serves as the dial and, for the first time for Journe, an enamelled hour dial indicates the time at 3 o'clock. The Tourbillon Vertical also displays an 80-hour power reserve at 12 o'clock and small seconds at 6 o'clock; the Remontoir d'Egalité is positioned at 7 o'clock. The 42 mm case is available in platinum, or in 6N 18 ct gold.
Data sheet
Movement
- Calibre 1519
- Manual winding / 29 crown turns
Dimensions
- Total diameter: 34.60 mm
- Recessed diameter: 34.20 mm
- Total height: 10.86 mm
- Height of the charging axle: 3.66 mm
- Diameter of threaded charging bead: S1.20 mm
Barbell
- Rocker bar with 4 screws
- Anachron spiral with Philips curve
- Fixed python holder
- Without racket
- Traditional goupillé virolage
- Frequency: 21,600 Alt/h. (3Hz)
- Inertia: 11.00 mg/cm2
- Angle of rise: 52°
- Amplitude: 0 h à plat: >260°
- 24h vertical: >260°
Main features
- Vertical 30-second tourbillon with remontoir and deadbeat seconds
- Time correction in position 2 of the charging bezel
Escapement
- 15-tooth escapement
- Still at 90°
Directions
- Hours and minutes at 3 o'clock
- Small seconds at 6 o'clock
- Power reserve at 12 o'clock
- Vertical tourbillon at 9 o'clock
Autonomy of the time system
- 80 hours ± 2
Dial
- 4N 18ct. rose gold movement with enamel hour dial on white gold
Finishing
- High-end
- Guillochage Clous de Paris on bridges
- "Cotes de Genève circolaires' on the plate
- Polished screw head, angled grooves
- Polished and blued hands
Case
- In PT 950 platinum or 6N 18K gold
- Diameter: 42 mm
- Thickness: 13.60 mm
Number of elements
- Movement without dial: 230
- With case on leather strap: 260
- Rubies: 32
