The Centigraphe Souverain* is perhaps one of the most coveted models from F. P. Journe, intersecting perfectly in terms of design and ingenuity, traits that Journe is well known for. When the watch was first released in 2008, it won L'Aiguille dOr (The Golden Hand) award at the GPHG (Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Genve), demonstrating Journe's commitment to innovation and excellence within his work.

The Centigraphe Souverain speaks very much to Franois-Pauls meticulous approach to complications, in both technical and design terms. Drawing on research carried out by the watchmaker fifteen years prior, the concept was resuscitated after a conversation with Jean Todt, then executive director for Scuderia Ferrari and former president of the Fdration Internationale de l'Automobile.

Housed within a 40mm platinum case, the Centigraphe is made distinctive through a patented chronograph "rocker" on the side of the case, in place of more traditional pushers for operating the chronograph functions. It features a centralised dial layout, distinguished by a polished steel ring securing three subsidiary dials. Unlike some of the other iterations of the watch, this dial is almost uniformly grey, with slightly different shades of grey used around the sub-dials compared to the rest of the main dial. Meanwhile, the black and red indications are reminiscent of traditional chronograph designs, offering a rich contrast against the light-coloured case.

The words "Invenit et Fecit" are inscribed beside the subsidiary counter at 6 oclock, in classic F.P. Journe style. On the left side of the dial, the first of three sub dial hands revolves around the counter in one second, on a scale marked in hundredths of a second. The subsidiary hand at 2 oclock revolves once every twenty seconds, with the scale itself divided by each passing second. The third register at 6 oclock is graduated for 10 minute intervals.

The tachymeter scale converts time units for 1 kilometre into speeds ranging from 6 km/h - walking pace - to 36,000 km/h. Each subsidiary dial displays the time scale in red and is marked at the centre "S" or "M" - "PR", abbreviating "seconds" or "minutes", per revolution. An intuitive feature of the 100th of a second counter is that it can be stopped anywhere along its one-second revolution around the dial, even between two 100th of a second divisions. This flying seconds, or foudroyante, ticks once each time the escape wheel rotates.

This manually-wound F.P. Journe caliber 1506 movement is manufactured entirely from 18-carat rose gold, matching the case. It is constructed with 50 jewels and features an in-line lever escapement, 15-tooth escape-wheel and free-sprung balance - adjustable on four inertia weights, with a self-compensating Anachron balance-spring. The barrel features a maintaining power system, in order to ensure driving force does not decrease during winding. The mainspring supplies a minimum of 80 hours power reserve without the chronograph running, and 24 hours even with operation.

If sold within the United Kingdom, this F. P. Journe Centrigraphe Souverain will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This F. P. Journe Centrigraphe Souverain is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show virtually no signs of wear, likely worn on only a handful of occasions. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections and have been well preserved. The hallmarks and engravings on the caseback and buckle are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.