F. P. Journe

The most impressive and desirable of the series is the Tourbillon Souverain Ruthenium, the crown jewel, combining Journe’s most emblematic complication with a distinctive dark metallic aesthetic. This Tourbillon Souverain, numbered 20/99, features a 40mm platinum case paired with a dial crafted from solid gold coated in ruthenium, giving it a deep grey lustre unlike any other finish in the Journe canon. The dial layout retains the classical architecture of the early Remontoir d’Égalité tourbillons, with the one-minute tourbillon visible at 9 o’clock and the constant-force remontoir mechanism displayed proudly at 11 o’clock, delivering consistent energy to the escapement. The power-reserve indicator at 12 and the small seconds at 6 anchor the composition with perfect symmetry. Housed within is the manual-wound calibre 1498, constructed from rhodium-plated brass, a movement revered by collectors as a symbol of Journe’s formative years. The tourbillon’s performance and the remontoir’s precision embody the intellectual rigour that defines Journe’s craft. In combination with the ruthenium aesthetic, this piece represents both a technical and historical milestone: a farewell to an era and a testament to the watchmaker’s unwavering pursuit of innovation.