F. P. Journe
This exceptionally rare Vagabondage I is one of eight examples made for Singaporean retailer Sincere. The set of eight watches are easily distinguishable due to their double signature, the 8 examples form part of 69 piece limited edition Vagabondage I.
By definition vagabondage (vagrancy) means wandering from place to place without any settled home, a play on the wandering hours and minutes found on the Vagabondage 1. In 2004 F. P. Journe donated three unique pieces for the benefit of the ICM Foundation (Institute of Brain and Spinal cord in Paris), a charity that F. P. Journe is still associated with today. In total three Vagabondages of different metals (rose, yellow and white) were donated, with each piece representing an individual lot. The three lots totalled a sum of CHF 210’450. These three pieces essentially serve as ‘pre’ vagabondages V1, what makes them entirely unique is the use of the brass movements. Interestingly, the three unique pieces are the only Vagabondages to feature the brand’s name on the dial, more specifically, F. P. Journe Invenit et Fecit 30 Years of Antiquorum.
A year later, considering the successful sale of the three unique pieces, F. P. Journe unveiled the Vagabondage 1 which would be produced in a limited edition of just 69 pieces. The Vagabondage 1 represented the first ‘serially’ produced F. P. Journe to not feature a distinctive round case, but rather a flat-shaped tortue case. The architecture of the movement found on the V1 is similar to the Chronometre a Resonance, the double barrels are solely found on the V1, whereas its predecessors the V2 and V3 feature single barrels. The movement is signed F. P. Journe – Invenit et Fecit – 19 Jewels – 18K Gold Movement, the calibre number is not mentioned nor is the Geneva made. Interestingly, the exposed balance wheel appears to be regulated with a Trivois regulator as spotted by our friend SJX.
From a legibility perspective, the V1 remains the most friendly, the current hour is housed in a white squarish frame and the pointer found above the square indicates the minutes. In short, the hour makes a full 360-degree rotation before the hour jumps and changes as it nears 12 o’clock and then starts all over again. The Sincere Logo is found between each hour marker and indirectly facilitates to read the time, the regular edition does not feature any logos between the hour markers. Within the set of 69 examples, 8 examples feature possibly the only double signed F. P. Journe’s made for then retailer Sincere in Singapore.
For more information on the Vagabondage Series, we encourage you to read this.
The hefty platinum case measures 41 mm x 34 mm and just 6.70 mm in height and houses the venerable 18-carat rose gold Calibre 1504. The Calibre 1504 is equipped with 19 jewels and a 48-hour power reserve, the calibre was entirely discontinued and has never resurfaced since. The source of inspiration behind Vagabondage 1 can be traced back to the Carpediem Watch which was completed in 1997, prior to the existence of the brand F. P. Journe. It is believed that the Carpediem watch was made at the request of a prominent collector, after which, a certain brand, Cartier (hint: the crown of the Carpediem Watch) expressed an interest in purchasing the movement, fortunately for the Vagabondage Series, this never came to fruition. Interestingly, the movement is also signed 1954 – Sincere – 2004, making this one of the only known double signed F. P. Journe’s.
| Brands: | F. P. Journe |
| Size: | 36 – 38mm |
| Style: | Casual, Dress |
This exceptionally rare Vagabondage I is one of eight examples made for Singaporean retailer Sincere. The set of eight watches are easily distinguishable due to their double signature, the 8 examples form part of 69 piece limited edition Vagabondage I.
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