F P Journe Vagabondage ll

F P Journe have unveiled the new Vagabondage ll wristwatch and in doing so have demonstrated once again their ability to create yet another take on the art of displaying hours, minutes and seconds.

From F P Journe press release:

" F.P.Journe presents the second chapter of the Vagabondage Limited Series, “Vagabondage II”, which will be produced in a limited series of 69 pieces in platinum and 68 pieces in 18K red gold, available from all authorized F.P.Journe points of sale around the world in December 2009.

It is essential to retrace the history of this creation, which has made its mark in the watchmaking history and represents the quintessence of anti-marketing. In 2004, for the 30th Anniversary of Antiquorum, François-Paul Journe created a unique piece to be sold at a Geneva charity auction in favour of the ICM, research institute for Brain and Spinal Cord diseases in Paris, www.icm-institute.org. This was an F.P.Journe Invenit et Fecit creation indeed, but with an unusual shape. For the first time, the Geneva Manufacture created a watch that was not round, with a flat tortue-shaped case and a dial without the F.P.Journe signature.

Following that charity auction, for which 3 pieces were produced - one in rose gold, one in white gold and one in yellow gold, which sold for three times their value - a limited series of 69 pieces in platinum was launched with an 18K rose gold movement. This series was sold without promotion or publicity of any kind, and without any picture.

Collectors went wild for it. A legend was born.

It goes without saying the Vagabondage II series has been long awaited by collectors. This second edition present a manually-wound movement and an original digital time display, with small second at 6, power reserve at 12. The 18K rose gold movement is visible through the dial in smoked sapphire crystal, also without the F.P.Journe signature.

The F P Journe Vagabondage ll Platinum - Click to enlarge then click again to supersize!

The 69 pieces in platinum feature white gold windows with blue hands, while the 68 pieces in 18K red gold have gold windows and hands.

Owners of a Vagabondage I will be given priority for the purchase of an identical limited number from the Vagabondage II series.

A third Vagabondage edition will very likely be created as new technical advances dictate. Each watch of the "Vagabondage" series will have an original digital display system.

F.P.Journe continually re-invents traditional watchmaking techniques and constantly works to produce novel time measurement instruments.

His peers the world over recognize his integrity in the realization of innovative pieces, his ingenuity, and his unique technical sense. A recipient of all the most prestigious horological prizes, F.P.Journe has been granted numerous awards at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie of Geneva, among them three influential “Golden Hand” awards.

François-Paul Journe is one of the last remaining Master watchmakers committed to defending the fundamental values of Haute Horology, as he pursues his quest to restore authenticity to the history and practice of time measurement. "

The F P Journe Vagabondage II Rose Gold edition - Click to enlarge then again to supersize

Technical Specification - F P Journe Vagabondage II

Movement: Calibre 1509 Manual winding movement in 18K rose gold, 30 jewels

Dimensions of the Movement:

Overall diameter: 29.3 x 28.2 mm Casing-up diameter: 29.3 x 28.4 mm Overall height: 5.28 mm Height of winding system: 3.13 mm Diameter of stem thread: S0.90 mm

Balance Four inertia weights Flat Anachron microflamed spring Mobile stud holders Free sprung Nivatronic laser-welded to collet Pinned GE stud

Frequency: 21,600 v / h, (3Hz)

Inertia: 10.10 mg /cm2

Angle of lift: 52°

Amplitude:

0h dial up: > 260° 24h dial up: > 260°

Principal characteristics: 1 minute constant force device, patented No EP 1528443 Digital indication of hours and minutes Time adjustment via crown in position 2 Pallets escapement with 15 tooth escape wheel Two position crown Sub-second at 6h00 Power reserve at 12h00 Power reserve 40 hours Decoration High quality Partly circular grained base plate and Geneva waves Polished screw heads, chamfered slots Pegs with polished rounded ends Case Flat Tortue shape 45 x 37.5 mm Height 8.00 mm Dial Smoked Sapphire Limited Series Platinum PT 950 69 pieces White gold windows and blue hands Rose gold 18K 68 pieces Rose gold windows and hands Number of parts Movement without dial: 223 Cased-up on leather strap: 256