Guide to F.P. Journe Limited Edition Watches
François-Paul Journe is one of the most successful and influential living watchmakers, and as of 2024, his brand F.P. Journe holds the title of “most expensive watch sold at auction made by an independent brand” thanks to an early model selling for over $8 million. That F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Souscription watch was #2 of a limited edition of 20–and Mr. Journe will never sell #1. Although few watches are likely to come near that sale price, there are a variety of limited edition F.P. Journe watches that collectors go wild for. And, given that the brand officially announced that they won’t make any more Limited Series watches, we thought it would be a good time to go over all of the F.P. Journe limited edition and unique pieces from over the years.
Even though Chanel now owns 20% of the company, F.P. Journe is widely regarded as the very model of high-end independent watchmaking. They deserve a lot of credit for the current high-end independent watchmaking boom in general. Brands like Gerald Genta, Daniel Roth and Franck Muller set the watchmaking stage in the 1990’s and F.P. Journe, founded in 1999, took it to the next level with their emphasis on beautifully finished in-house movements and thoughtful dials. The only other eponymous luxury watch brand of a living founder with equal success is Richard Mille.
F.P. Journe limited edition watches are often some of the most desirable, but we should note that all Journes are scarce and desirable (and resell comfortably above MSRP). The brand only makes about 1,500 watches per year (1/3 of which have quartz movements), so fretting about what exactly is a “limited edition” F.P. Journe is a bit pedantic. But let’s do it anyway!
What is a Limited Edition?
To a watch collector, a proper “limited edition” has a specific finite known total produced. So, even if a watch’s production is extremely limited, generally watch nerds won’t use the term “limited” unless there’s a manufacturer-stated quantity limit. As in “one of five,” or “one of 20” etc. And it should be noted that although F.P. Journe used the term “Limited Series” for some of its watches, that doesn’t include everything that we think of as “limited editions” in the broader sense. So even though F.P. Journe has declared that there will be no more Limited Series, we expect them to continue making unique pieces for charity events, etc.
F.P. Journe limited edition watches are obviously very special, but that doesn’t necessarily mean they’re more special than other models that aren’t “limited” in the traditional sense. There are brown “Havana” dials and mother-of-pearl dials only available at boutiques, for instance. Black Label models, featuring rich black dials, are especially exclusive because they’re only offered to repeat boutique customers–but they’re not “limited” per se. Jade dials are even rarer. Same goes for the incredible Astronomic model–it’s so complex that F.P. Journe can only produce a few each year. And most collectors agree that an Astronomic–let alone a Black Label Astronomic–is more special than most actual “limited edition” Journes. Before we list over 80 of those limited/unique Journe models, let’s go over a general breakdown of how the numbers stack up.
Breakdown of F.P. Journe Unique and Limited Edition Watches
Roughly half of all F.P. Journe limited/unique editions are 40mm wide, and more than half are platinum. The first series of watches F.P. Journe ever sold when the brand came on the scene in 1999, the Tourbillon Souverain Souscription, was limited to 20 pieces. But the first actual so-called “Limited Series” was the Ruthenium Series, which debuted in 2001. Here are some of the main categories that limited edition Journe watches fall into:
- Vagabondage Series – 10 models (2 of which are Red Ferrari versions made in collaboration with Jean Todt)
- Tokyo Boutique Anniversary Series – 6 models
- Commemorative 38mm platinum “No. 1000” unique pieces (sold as a set by Cellini) – 6 models
- Ruthenium Series (F.P. Journe’s first true series of limited edition watches) – 5 models
- Commemorative 38mm steel unique pieces (sold as a set to signify the end of the 38mm era) – 5 models
- Unique pieces for Only Watch charity – 5 models
- Unique pieces for Action Innocence charity (purple dials) – 4 models
- Unique pieces paying homage to New York City after 9/11 (according to A Collected Man) – 3 models
- Unique pieces for Fondation Prince Albert II of Monaco charity (with Oracle bone script hour markers) – 3 models
That barely covers half of the limited and unique F.P. Journe watches that we’re aware of, though. See our chart below for a thorough model-by-model list.
Chart of F.P. Journe Unique and Limited Edition Watches
Model Name | Dial Color | Debut Year | Limited To | Note | Case Width | Case Material |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tourbillon Souverain Souscription | Yellow Gold | 1999 | 20 pieces | First series of F.P. Journe’s tourbillon wristwatches | 38mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain Labyrinthe | Rose Gold Labyrinthe pattern | 2000 | 10 pieces | Rare early model with engraved “Labyrinth” dial pattern | 40mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain Ruthenium | Ruthenium | 2001 | 99 pieces | First model with a ruthenium dial | 40mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain New York Skyline | Rose Gold | 2002 | Piece Unique (presumed) | One of three distinct New York-themed watches created in the wake of 9/11, believed to be a unique piece, engraved Statue of Liberty on dial | 38mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain N°1000 | Yellow Gold | 2004 | Piece Unique (presumed) | Released as part of the six-watch “N°1000” set supposedly for Cellini in 2004 | 38mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain Anniversaire Tokyo | Ruthenium with gold accents | 2007 | 20 pieces | Marks the 3rd anniversary of Journe’s first boutique (Tokyo) | 40mm | Titanium |
Tourbillon Souverain Orologeria Pisa Edition | Silver/Ruthenium | 2008 | 5 pieces | Made for Orologeria Pisa, a well-known jeweler in Milan | 40mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain Beijing Edition | Red | 2010 | 5 pieces | Celebrates the opening of F.P. Journe’s Beijing boutique | 40mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain 10 Year Boutique Anniversary | Black/Grained Silver | 2013 | 10 pieces | For the 10th anniversary of the brand’s first boutique (Tokyo), and the opening of the 10th boutique total (Beirut) | 40mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain 30 Year Career Anniversary | Grained Silver (almost white) | 2013 | 99 pieces | Celebrates 30 years of F.P. Journe’s career, featuring guilloched silver lugs and caseback with a rose gold midcase/bezel | 40mm | Silver/Rose Gold |
Tourbillon Souverain 38mm Steel | Tan | 2015 | 38 pieces | One of five watches that came as part of the “38mm Steel Set” which were to be the final 38mm FPJ watches | 38mm | Stainless Steel |
Tourbillon Souverain Régence Circulaire | Silver Régence Circulaire pattern | 2016 | 20 pieces | Engraved “Regency Circulaire” dial pattern is an ode to the earlier “Labyrinth” | 40mm | Rose Gold |
Tourbillon Souverain Cœur de Rubis | Ruby | 2019 | 20 pieces | Two 0.45mm-thick pieces of actual ruby are laid on a silver surface to form the dial | 40mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain “Action Innocence” | Purple | 2015 | Piece Unique | Benefiting Action Innocence, a charity aiming to protect children from online harms | 40mm | Platinum |
Tourbillon Souverain Bleu Only Watch | Blue Chrome | 2015 | Piece Unique | Auctioned at Only Watch 2015, with a dial several layers of hand-applied blue lacquer | 40mm | Tantalum |
Astronomic Only Watch 2019 | Blue Chrome/Guilloché Silver | 2019 | Piece Unique | Very complex (18 functions), sold for $1.8 million at Only Watch 2019 | 44mm | Tantalum |
Automatique 20th Anniversary | Yellow Gold/Guilloché Silver | 2021 | 99 pieces | Celebrates 20th anniversary of the Octa caliber | 40mm | Platinum |
Automatique Action Innocence 2023 | Purple | 2023 | Piece Unique | For Action Innocence charity auction | 40mm | Platinum |
Centigraphe “Ferrari Red” | Red with Ferrari logo | 2008 | 3 pieces | Made in collaboration with Jean Todt/Ferrari | 40mm | Platinum |
Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire | Ruthenium with gold accents | 2016 | 80 pieces | Marks the 10th anniversary of various FPJ boutiques beginning in 2016 (20 were made for the HK boutique and 10 each for seven others) | 40mm | Titanium |
Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante Bleu Only Watch 2017 | Blue | 2017 | Piece Unique | Raised over $1.1 million at Only Watch 2017 | 44mm | Tantalum |
Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante “Prince Albert II” | Royal Blue | 2018 | Piece Unique | Made for the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, hour numerals in Oracle Bone script | 44mm | Coated Titanium |
Chronographe FB | Guilloché Ruthenium with gold accents | 2024 | 200 pieces | Celebrates the Tokyo boutique’s 20 anniversary, fifth watch of the Tokyo Boutique Anniversarie Series and Journe’s final “limited edition” timepiece | 40mm | Titanium |
Chronomètre à Resonance N°1000 | Tan | 2004 | Piece Unique (presumed) | Released as part of the six-watch “N°1000” set supposedly for Cellini in 2004 | 38mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre à Résonance Anniversaire Tokyo | Ruthenium with gold accents | 2006 | 12 pieces | Marks the 2nd anniversary of Journe’s first boutique (Tokyo) | 40mm | Titanium |
Chronomètre à Résonance Ruthenium | Ruthenium | 2001 | 99 pieces | First limited edition of the Résonance model | 38mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre à Résonance Regency (WG) | White Gold engraved “Regency” pattern | ~2001 | Piece Unique (presumed) | The first of a set of three Regency Résonance models from the early 2000’s, with a distinctive hand-engraved pattern | 38mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre à Résonance Regency (YG) | Yellow Gold engraved “Regency” pattern | ~2001 | Piece Unique (presumed) | Slightly better engraving quality than the white gold version | 38mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre à Résonance Regency (RG) | Rose Gold engraved “Regency” pattern | ~2001 | Piece Unique (presumed) | Even better engraving quality than the yellow gold version | 38mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre à Résonance New York Skyline | White Gold | 2002 | Piece Unique (presumed) | One of three distinct New York-themed watches created in the wake of 9/11, believed to be a unique piece, engraved Chrysler Building and Brooklyn Bridge on dial | 38mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre à Résonance Orologeria Pisa | Silver/Ruthenium | 2008 | 5 pieces | Made for Orologeria Pisa, a well-known jeweler in Milan | 40mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre à Résonance 38mm Steel | Tan | 2015 | 38 pieces | One of five watches that came as part of the “38mm Steel Set” which were to be the final 38mm FPJ watches | 38mm | Stainless Steel |
Chronomètre à Résonance 20th Anniversary | Two-tone | 2019 | 20 pieces | Marks 20 years of the Résonance | 40mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre à Résonance “Prince Albert II” | Fuchsia/Ruthenium | 2024 | Piece Unique | Made for the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, hour numerals in Oracle Bone script | 40mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre Souverain Anniversaire Tokyo | Ruthenium with gold accents | 2005 | 20 pieces | Marks the 1st anniversary of Journe’s first boutique (Tokyo) | 40mm | Titanium |
Chronomètre Souverain de Boulle | Ruthenium/Guilloché White | 2007 | 2008 | Made for de Boulle, a jeweler in Dallas, TX | 40mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre Bleu Byblos | Blue with cut-out dial | 2014 | 20 pieces in Eastern Arabic, 79 in Western Arabic | Celebrating the opening of the Beirut boutique | 39mm | Tantalum |
Chronomètre Furtif Bleu Only Watch 2024 | Translucent Blue Grand Feu Enamel | 2024 | Piece Unique | For Only Watch 2024 with new Calibre 1522 | 40mm | Tantalum |
Chronomètre Holland & Holland | Brown (Damascus Steel) | 2017 | 66 pieces | Dial made from Damascus steel barrels | 39mm | Stainless Steel |
Chronomètre Souverain 38mm Steel | White/Guilloché Tan | 2015 | 38 pieces | One of five watches that came as part of the “38mm Steel Set” which were to be the final 38mm FPJ watches | 38mm | Stainless Steel |
Chronomètre Souverain “Dubai Edition” | Green | 2020 | 99 pieces | Released for Dubai Watch Week 2020 | 40mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre Souverain Swiss FineTiming | Black/Silver with red accents | 2007 | 7 pieces | Part of a two-piece set for Swiss FineTiming retailer along with an Octa Chronographe | 40mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre Optimum Action Innocence 2017 | Purple | 2017 | Piece Unique | For Action Innocence charity auction | 40mm | Platinum |
Chronomètre Optimum “Prince Albert II” | Fuchsia/Ruthenium | 2022 | Piece Unique | Made for the Fondation Prince Albert II de Monaco, hour numerals in Oracle Bone script | 40mm | Platinum |
Élégante 40mm “Action Innocence” | Purple | 2015 | Piece Unique | For Action Innocence charity auction | 35mm | Titanium |
Élégante 48mm Titalyt BCRF 2024 | White/grey/black | 2024 | Piece Unique | Benefiting breast cancer research, featuring pink numeral at 1 o’clock and pink strap | 40mm | Coated Titanium |
Élégante 48mm Titalyt MAMCO | Luminescent Grey | 2024 | Piece Unique | Proceeds benefit the restoration of MAMCO Geneva (Musée d’art moderne et contemporain) | 40mm | Coated Titanium |
Élégante 48mm Titalyt “Le Restaurant” | Burgundy | 2024 | Restaurant employees/patrons only | Dial and strap are the color of red wine, appropriate for Journe’s restaurant | 40mm | Coated Titanium |
FFC Blue Only Watch 2021 | Skeletonized Rose Gold with blue automaton hand | 2021 | Piece Unique | Collaboration with Francis Ford Coppola for Only Watch 2021, with the fingers of an automaton hand indicating hours | 42mm | Tantalum |
FFC | Skeletonized Black with silver automaton hand | 2023 | 12 pieces | A black/silver/rose gold colorway of the FFC | 42mm | Platinum |
Octa Automatique 38mm Steel | Tan | 2015 | 38 pieces | One of five watches that came as part of the “38mm Steel Set” which were to be the final 38mm FPJ watches | 38mm | Stainless Steel |
Octa Automatique Lune France-China 50 | Greyish Blue | 2015 | ~28 pieces | Commemorates 50 years of France-China relations | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa Calendrier Ruthenium | Ruthenium | 2003 | 99 pieces | Part of the ruthenium dial series | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa Calendrier N°1000 | Tan | 2004 | Piece Unique (presumed) | Released as part of the six-watch “N°1000” set supposedly for Cellini in 2004 | 38mm | Platinum |
Octa Calendrier Sincere Fine Watches Edition | Black mother-of-pearl | 2006 | 15 pieces | Special edition for Sincere Fine Watches | 38mm | Platinum |
Octa Calendrier 38mm Steel | Tan | 2015 | 38 pieces | One of five watches that came as part of the “38mm Steel Set” which were to be the final 38mm FPJ watches | 38mm | Stainless Steel |
Octa Chronographe Ruthenium | Ruthenium and Guilloché Silver | 2002 | 99 pieces | Part of the ruthenium dial series | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa Chronographe N°1000 | Tan | 2004 | Piece Unique (presumed) | Released as part of the six-watch “N°1000” set supposedly for Cellini in 2004 | 38mm | Platinum |
Octa Chronographe Swiss FineTiming | Black/Silver with red accents | 2007 | 7 pieces | Part of a two-piece set for Swiss FineTiming retailer along with a Chronomètre Souverain | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa Jour/Nuit Ruthenium | Ruthenium | 2002 | 99 pieces | Part of the ruthenium dial series, featuring a day/night indicator | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa Lune N°1000 | Tan | 2004 | Piece Unique (presumed) | Released as part of the six-watch “N°1000” set supposedly for Cellini in 2004 | 38mm | Platinum |
Octa Lune Mannekin Pis | Silver with urinating statue motif | 2024 | 10 pieces | “Mannekin Pis” means what it sounds like | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa Perpétuelle Anniversaire Tokyo | Ruthenium with gold accents | 2009 | 99 pieces | Marks the 5th anniversary of Journe’s first boutique (Tokyo) | 40mm | Titanium |
Octa Réserve de Marche New York Skyline | Yellow Gold | 2002 | Piece Unique (presumed) | One of three distinct New York-themed watches created in the wake of 9/11, believed to be a unique piece, engraved NYC skyline on dial | 38mm | Platinum |
Octa Réserve de Marche N°1000 | Tan | 2004 | Piece Unique (presumed) | Released as part of the six-watch “N°1000” set supposedly for Cellini in 2004 | 38mm | Platinum |
Octa Réserve de Marche Régence Circulaire | Rose Gold engraved “Regency” pattern | 2015 | 4 pieces | Supposedly released to use up a set of four NOS Regency dials, more “round” engraving pattern than other Regency models | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa Sport Indy 500 | Black | 2012 | 99 pieces | Commemorates the Indianapolis 500 race | 42mm | Blackened Aluminum |
Octa Sport ARS2 (Blue) | Blue | 2018 | 8 pieces | Ceramic bezel, only weighs about 70 grams total | 44mm | Titanium |
Octa UTC (Platinum) | Greyish Blue/Guilloché Silver | 2023 | 10 pieces | Exclusive to F.P.Journe Boutiques, limited to 10 pieces per metal | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa UTC (Rose Gold) | Greyish Blue/Guilloché Silver | 2023 | 10 pieces | Exclusive to F.P.Journe Boutiques, limited to 10 pieces per metal | 40mm | Rose Gold |
Octa Zodiaque | Slate/White | 2004 | 150 pieces | Annular ring shows current Zodiac sign and approximate date | 40mm | Platinum |
Octa Zodiaque “Children Action” | Tan/White | 2005 | Piece Unique | Unique piece, raised $813,000 for Children Action charity | 40mm | Rose Gold |
Sonnerie Souverain (Brass Movement) | Yellow Gold | 2004 | Piece Unique | The only Grande et Petite Sonnerie that Journe ever made with a brass movement | 40mm | Platinum |
Sonnerie Souverain Constructors’ Championship | Sky Blue | 2009 | Piece Unique | Beautiful shimmery light blue dial, made for Jean Todt to celebrate Formula 1’s 7th Constructors’ Championship | 40mm | Stainless Steel |
Vagabondage I | White/Black | 2004 | 69 pieces | First in the Vagabondage series, with a unique minute hand encircling the current hour digit on an inner rotating/jumping disc | 37.5mm | Platinum |
Vagabondage I (Diamond-set) | Silver/Black | 2004 | 10 pieces | Case is set with baguette diamonds | 37.5mm | Platinum |
Vagabondage I “Michael Schumacher” | Red | 2004 | Piece Unique | Made just for Michael Schumacher, with a Ferrari logo and 7 “V” hour markers for his 7 championships | 37.5mm | Platinum |
Vagabondage II (Rose Gold) | Smoked Sapphire/Silver | 2010 | 68 pieces | Digital hours and minutes (traditional seconds subdial) | 37.5mm | Rose Gold |
Vagabondage II (Platinum) | Smoked Sapphire/Silver | 2010 | 69 pieces | Digital hours and minutes (traditional seconds subdial) | 37.5mm | Platinum |
Vagabondage II (Diamond-set) | Smoked Sapphire/Silver | 2010 | 10 pieces | Case is set with baguette diamonds | 37.5mm | Platinum |
Vagabondage III (Rose Gold) | Smoked Sapphire/Silver | 2017 | 68 pieces | Digital hours and seconds display (traditional minutes) | 37.5mm | Rose Gold |
Vagabondage III (Platinum) | Smoked Sapphire/Silver | 2017 | 69 pieces | Digital hours and seconds display (traditional minutes) | 37.5mm | Platinum |
Vagabondage III (Diamond-set) | Smoked Sapphire/Rose Gold/Silver | 2017 | 10 pieces | Case is set with baguette diamonds | 37.5mm | Platinum |
Vagabondage I 6N Gold | Smoked Sapphire | 2022 | 68 pieces | Rose gold variant of the first Vagabondage, representing the final chapter of the Vagabondage saga | 37.5mm | Rose Gold |
That just about covers all of the unique and limited edition F.P. Journe models we can think of. While it was fun to go through all of these various rare models, deciding on which Journe watch you want probably shouldn’t come down to whether it’s a “limited edition” or not. After all, they’re all rare, and they’re all pretty fantastic.
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