Global auctions in Geneva, London, New York, Dubai and Hong Kong are having to work harder to keep discerning collectors reaching for their paddles in these days of falling prices for mass-produced timekeepers.
A brace of ultra-rare F.P. Journe watches look like just the ticket for Christie’s in Hong Kong, which is selling 107 watches from a single owner on May 26 in what it has dubbed the Ultimate Collection sale.
The headline lot is possibly unique, specially commissioned, Chronomètre à Résonance with a striking ice blue mother-of-pearl dial.
It is one of the super-exclusive Résonance Trois (RT) editions produced only in 2019 to celebrate the model’s 20th anniversary.
It is estimated to fetch between HK$5,000,000 and HK$10,000,000 (£637,000 to £1,274,000)
Another F.P. Journe that may hammer at over £1 million is a second-generation 2019 Tourbillon Souverain Tourbillon Nouveau with a ruby dial.
Only 20 were made in the colourway.
Usually hardstone dials are produced as a circular disk in order to make the cutting action simpler and to minimise the risk of stress points from corners.
However, F.P. Journe characteristically took a different approach, due to the configuration of apertures on the Tourbillon Souverain dial.
The two crescent shaped pieces above and below are complex with numerous curves and differing radii, as well as the screw holes which have to be drilled.
Ultra-exclusive limited series pieces such as this are rare, usually only available by invitation or upon request from F.P. Journe, and are now regarded as some of the most important examples of each model.
It goes to auction with a pre-sale estimated of HK$3,200,000 and HK$6,400,000 (£407,000 to £814,000).
The rest of the catalogue of 107 watches is currently under wraps, with Christie’s only promising that each of the watches in the Ultimate Collection stands out for their rarity and significance and their condition.
Some will even sold in pristine factory double-sealed packaging.
The unnamed collector has been amassing the treasures over the past two decades, and is now offloading pieces from giants Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Rolex and A. Lange & Söhne as well as from independents including F.P. Journe and Grönefeld.
