FP Journe Tourbillon Souverain Régence Circulaire

Régence in French literally translates to Regency, but loosely defines the period when France was governed by Philippe II. The Regency period predates Rococco and defines and entire genre of art. In Journe collecting circles, however, it means something entirely different. Régence models, or dials more aptly, are the jet-fuel VVIP watches of the post-brass period. Each has a dial which is hand engraved in a distinctly interlaced motif, nodding to Régence decorative styles.

Each Régence dial is hand engraved and requires a full two days of work from one skilled artisan. The result is a regal formality where prior there was only gold material. Regency dials were made from the very start. Indeed, there are some with brass calibres in 38mm. However, the bulk of production was after 2004 and in the TN or Tourbillon Nouveau platform. In the TN Tourbillon Souverain, 20 examples with Régence dials were made starting 2018. All are in pink gold cases, but 10 have a white gold dial where where the second 10 are in this pink gold. While this laced style is more ornate, there are straight grid engraving motifs and slightly varying styles between examples. Aside from the error rate of something like a Jade dial, this is probably the greatest amount of humans hours which have been invested into the dial-side of any FP Journe. The time investment is not just in establishing the motif, but texturizing the intermediate sections and polishing the tops.

The Régence market is its own unique beast. I’m not sure one has ever traded hands on the secondary market under 600K. Rumor has it the latest result was over 800k. Given the estimate here tops out near 800k, I’d expect this may be one of those rare Journes to get very near the full M. While perhaps not as pivotal as a Souscription, these are becoming the next generation of hyper-collected Journe alongside MoP and stone. It’s hard to argue with the craft and obviously French angle here. These are the über-Journes of the 2010s and I’m just fine with that.

This example is coming up for auction with its warranty card and USB card, in an Octa box. The case appears to have hardly been worn. Godspeed all.