Boutique
F.P. JOURNE
Astronomic Souveraine
After the success of the prototype’s sale at the
Only Watch auction, F.P.Journe presents the
final version of the Astronomic Souveraine, a
grand complication watch in a steel case, with
tourbillon and minute repeater.
The 44mm x 13.8mm watch strikes the hours,
the quarters and the minutes and possesses
eighteen functions and complications.
At 3, there is the mean time (or civil time) dial,
with a blue hand indicating a second time zone.
At 9, there is the sidereal time dial, which allows
the observation of the stars. Next to it, the mean
time seconds are shown on a disc. Above the
central minutes and power reserve indicator is
a blue aperture showing the sunrise and sunset.
Here, metal shutters lengthen or shorten the
days. On the reverse you’ll find the tourbillon,
the equation of time and a full annual calendar
encircled by the signs of the zodiac.
The watch has an 18-karat gold movement,
echoing an F.P. Journe standard practice. The
white gold dial features sub-dials with clou de
Paris decoration and moon phases with a
hyper-realistic moon that was traced from a
NASA photograph. Only a very few pieces will
be produced each year.
Price: CHF 890,000.
IW RATING
Design: 10 (out of 10)
Amazing execution of mechanical artistry.
Innovation: 10
No fewer than 18 high watchmaking functions
and 758 individual components.
Finissage: 10
Absolutely superb on all case, dial, and
movement surfaces.
Legibility: 9
Amazing legibility for so many functions.
Rarity: 9
Only a very few can be made each year.
Value: 9
Collectors lucky enough to secure one are not
likely to give it up easily.
Overall iW rating: 57 (out of 60)
26 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | WINTER 2020