Le Concours de Complexite: Single Owner Online Auction Presented by Phillips in Collaboration with Bacs & Russo

Hong Kong – 15 DECEMBER 2022

Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is happy to present Le Concours de Complexité: Single Owner Online Auction, which will feature a collection of unique and unusual watches by the renowned independent watchmaker F.P. Journe from a prominent private collector. "Le Concours de Complexité" translates to "competition of complexity" and exemplifies Francois-Paul Journe's fearless watchmaking philosophy of challenging the most daring horological frontier from his vast knowledge and expertise of the past to demonstrate his resolve to create the most precise and innovative timepieces.

The 13–20 January 2023 online auction of 11 F.P. Journe timepieces on Phillips.com and the Phillips App provides the worldwide collecting community with an exciting chance to buy excellent models from this highly regarded brand.

Thomas Perazzi, Head of Watches, Asia, Phillips, stated, "Following the success of Phillips' first online auction dedicated to a single owner collection featuring timepieces from The Armoury's Mark Cho, we are honoured to be entrusted with the sale of this F.P. Journe collection formed by a visionary collector who has acquired timepieces of the highest quality and rarity over the years of collecting that exemplify his vision and passion for Since the brand's inception in 1999, Francois -Paul Journe has been admired for the innovation and brilliance of the design of his timepieces, with remarkable pieces such as the Tourbillon Souverain, Chronomètre à Résonance, and Octa Reserve gaining fervent excitement amongst collectors all over the world. We look forward to launching off 2023 with this carefully picked collection of exceptional and rare F.P. Journe works from a renowned single owner."

The First Auction Dedicated to F.P. Journe Watches From a Single Owner

Open for Bids from January 13 through January 20, 2023

Le Concours de Complexité: Online Auction for a Single Owner

Leading the auction is a black-dialed stainless steel Sonnerie Souverain Unicorn (shown on page 1) in superb overall condition with its original accessories. With around four pieces departing the F.P. Journe studio each year, just fifty were produced throughout the thirteen-year period. Fitted with an active striking device that automatically strikes the quarters and hours. This grand-strike wristwatch and minute repeater is absolutely one-of-a-kind, with a dial generally designated for the ultra-exclusive Black Label line, but customised to the tastes of its aficionado.

The contemporary Ruthenium Chronomètre á Résonance, like other F.P. Journe timepieces from this period, is equipped with an in-house brass movement. However, what distinguishes this sample from the norm is its ruthenium-coated surface.
The manual-winding calibre 1499 is visible through the transparent caseback. The Ruthenium Chronométre à Résonance, produced between 2001 and 2005, marks the end of F.P. Journe's production of brass movements before he transitions to 18K pink gold exclusively. The series is truly a sight to see, with a ruthenium-coated white gold dial with a stunning grey face. As a dual-time timepiece, the two time zones are shown on separate silver guilloche sub dials with a 12-hour display of the hours, minutes, and seconds. The current item is numbered 2 of 99 in a limited edition.

1999 saw the debut of F.P. Journe's Tourbillon Souverain, which included a world-first remontoire system. In 2004, he revolutionised the perception of tourbillons by including a deadbeat seconds. Produced from 2003 and 2018, this discontinued reference was available in pink gold and platinum in a hundred total specimens. The tourbillon is aligned with the hours and minutes subdials, emphasising its role as a complication and implying that it is the time display's equivalent. The opening on the left side of the watch allows the wearer a glimpse of the watch's superb movement and beautiful perlage finishing. The deadbeat seconds, flanked by two subdials, takes centre stage, complimenting the power reserve indication at 12 o'clock and harmonising with the frosted white gold dial. The current sample is a 2017 Tourbillon Souverain of the second generation, which is also the last of its type. It has a level of beauty and intricacy that is unrivalled.

A additional highlight is a possible one-of-a-kind platinum 20th Anniversary Résonance with a "Salmon" pink gold dial.

The clash of hues between the casing and dial provides the most delectable, inaccessible arrangement.

public till date. In honour of the 20th anniversary of the Chronomètre à Resonance, Francois-Paul Journe added the Remontoire d'Egalité, another of his inventive inventions, to the most recent 2020 model of his mechanical wonder. The 2020 Chronomètre à Résonance is powered by a brand-new in-house calibre 1520 with a single barrel spring that powers two movements. Along with the replacement of its beating heart, the current Résonance is encased in a casing that has been rebuilt with the winding and setting mechanisms.

The crown is at two o'clock. Unlike its predecessor, the cal. 1499.3, the crown is no longer concealed between the lugs at 12 o'clock, allowing the user to easily wind and adjust the watch.