While we are unaware of the total production numbers for the F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain, it is very likely that François-Paul Journe didn’t create more than a few hundred of one of his most special watches. Due to its rarity and limited production numbers we are granting it the status of a rare bird here at WCL. Revered as one of the greatest watchmakers of the 21st century along with names like Philippe Dufour, Kari Voutilainen and Stephen Forsey, François-Paul Journe started designing his vision of contemporary watchmaking back in 1999. Very well known for the Latin words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ —meaning invented and made— inscribed in all of his timepieces, all of his watches are the result of rigorous craftsmanship and manufacture processes where the F.P. Journe himself is always completely involved.
About the Watch
The Centigraphe Souverain represents a milestone for F.P. Journe and a huge horological feat. It is the first wristwatch in the world with a single movement allowing both the measurement of hundredths of a second and ten minutes. This is done by a hand on the subdial located at 10 o’clock that makes a full rotation in one second, a second hand on the subdial at 2 o’clock that makes a full rotation in twenty seconds, and the third hand on the subdial at 6 o’clock, that makes a full rotation every ten minutes. The F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain is thus able to measure speeds of up 360,000 km/h. To this technical feat should be added the power reserve of 80 hours —or 24 hours when the chronograph is running constantly. Cased in a generous 40 mm rose gold case —also available in platinum—, this is what watch dreams are really made of.
For the creation of the Centigraphe, things happened slightly differently than for other watches the brand has released. This wasn’t a project François-Paul Journe had in mind, but through the ICM Foundation, he met Jean Todt —at the time head of Ferrari and currently head of the FIA Fédération Internationale de l'Automobile. After discussing the ideal watch for the world of auto racing, François-Paul Journe remembered the work he had done 15 years previously on an exponential chronograph. He then soon realized that a chronograph with three hands revolving at different speeds was a good place to start. Afterward, he started to think about the pushers including the use of a rocker pusher on the caseband located at 2 o’clock, instead of the usual pushers on either side of the crown. This rocker pusher starts, stops and zeroes the chronograph. The idea behind it is so clever and unlike anything ever used before in the industry, that F.P. Journe has even filed a patent for it.
And to make the watch even more interesting, the Centigraphe Souverain also contributes to medical research done by the ICM in Paris —Institut du Cerveau and de la Moelle épinière—, contributing to the fight against degenerative diseases such as Alzheimer, Parkinson’s disease, and Multiple Sclerosis. Along with Professor Gérard Saillant, Luc Besson, Jean Réno, Jean Todt and Michael Schumacher among others, François-Paul Journe pledged to help the ICM by donating 30% of the profit from the sale of each Centigraphe. Additionally, the Centigraphe Souverain received the Aiguille d’Or prize at the Geneva Grand Prix d’Horlogerie in 2008.
What Makes the F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain and all other F.P. Journe Watches so Special?
The dial is entirely made in their Cadraniers de Genève workshops. Their elegant features go beyond mere displays; they reveal the hidden secrets of the mysterious and essential mechanical gears making up the exclusive Haute Horology movement of each watch. This elusive and timeless spirit embodies both modernity and tradition.
In the case of F.P. Journe watches with a date display, this large date aperture has been patented and designed to be ultra-flat. The two concentric discs bearing the numerals, ensuring maximum legibility, are encircled by a driving wheel.
The hands are teardrop-shaped and made of blued steel. Simple and elegant at the same time, they indicate the hours, minutes and seconds, as well as the power reserve of their precious chronometers.
The movement is made of solid 18K rose gold with the exception of the lineSport and Élégante models.F.P. Journe is the only Manufacture in the world that produces its exclusive movements in gold, making it a first in the world of watchmaking, and one of the brand’s distinguishing characteristics. Additionally, all movements are signed with the Latin words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ —meaning invented and made. Each movement features a calibre that has been entirely designed and manufactured at F.P. Journe’s workshops in the center of Geneva, Switzerland.
The larger diameter balance wheel with four-arms on all F.P. Journe watches make their watches less sensible to shocks and disturbances, unlike traditional watches with small balance wheels.
The cases are all made in their Boîtiers de Genève workshops and made in platinum, rose gold, tantalum, and stainless steel.
The winding crowns of F.P. Journe watches have a knurled silk cord pattern and two perforations on them making them quite unique.
The Movement
Powered by the in-house calibre 1506, the Centigraphe Souverain is started, stopped, and zeroed by one rocker pusher. The mechanism’s ingenious configuration also isolates the chronograph function from the timekeeping function of the movement. Thus, the chronograph has no effect on the balance amplitude. The hands of the 100 thof a second, 20 second, and 10-minute registers are driven by two different wheel trains, which are themselves driven by the center of the mainspring —patented system. A separate wheel train, also driven by the barrel arbor, drives the 10-minute hand. Made of 18K rose gold, this manual movement is composed of 284 parts and 50 jewels, to provide a power reserve of 80 hours —24 hours if the chronograph is running continuously— when fully wound while beating at a frequency of 21,600 vph.
On the Wrist & Price
The F.P. Journe Centigraphe CT Souverain Rose Gold wears true to its size and impeccably. Despite its gold case and movement, the watch is quite light and comfortable. For the money, you do not only get a superb timepiece with amazing design and craftsmanship, but also a very special watch designed by the legendary François-Paul Journe.
Approximate Sticker Price $65,000-70,000 USD —based on the condition and availability of boxes and papers. For more info on F.P. Journe click here.
