F.P.Journe Launches “Patrimoine”, a new service to acquire past collections, restored in-house

We, watch collectors, all know how difficult and risky it can be to purchase a used watch. How can I verify the authenticity of the watch? Are all the parts originals? How the desired watch has been serviced or worn? What amount of trust should I give to the seller? Is it a stolen watch? What warranty will it come with? Too many questions that some will never agree with and thus, you will stick to new watches. To counteract this issue, F.P. Journe just launched “Patrimoine”, a new service for collectors to enrich their collection by giving them the opportunity to purchase rare watches that are no longer manufactured (brass movement, unique pieces, limited editions…), entirely serviced, controlled and restored in-house. Interesting, right?

With this new F.P. Journe “Patrimoine” service, the deal is pretty simple. F.P. Journe sources and purchases, when an opportunity arises, watches from past collections that are no longer in production (think brass movement, unique pieces, and limited editions, like ruthenium editions, boutique editions, Black Label…). Francois-Paul Journe personally evaluates each offer and validates the purchase. Once the watch enters the ateliers of F.P. Journe, it will be checked, restored, updated, and serviced (movement is serviced, parts are changed, case will like new…). All is done in-house in Geneva’s workshops, proving to the future collector the authenticity of the watch and securing the buying process. These collector pieces then qualify for a new three-year sales warranty and are delivered with a new box and warranty card.

The F.P. Journe Tourbillon Historique T30 offered by “Patrimoine”

Besides the opportunity to buy used watches that are perfectly serviced and restored, and secured by a warranty, F.P. Journe Patrimoine is also a chance to acquire watches that are not in production anymore and (that’s the best part), rare editions, like limited ones, boutique versions or unique pieces. As examples, in the 7 watches that are now offered, you can find 3 Ruthenium Editions – a 2001 Tourbillon Souverain, a 2001 Chronomètre à Resonance and a 2004 Octa Calendrier. Also offered is a 2013 Tourbillon T30 Historique (still one of the nicest watches from the brand to me) and three Chronomètre à Résonance (all brass movement).

2 of the Ruthenium editions offered by the F.P. Journe Patrimoine Service (Octa Calendrier and Chronomètre à Résonance)

Finally, there are also benefits for the brand, as it allows them to keep control of their image and, in a way, of the second-hand, preventing unscrupulous dealers and grey-market specialists to offer watches from F.P. Journe.

F.P. Journe Patrimoine certainly is a very interesting move from the brand, and even if it seems difficult to implement such a service for a brand like Rolex or Patek Philippe, this initiative should be encouraged. We wished more brand to control second hand market, just for future owner to find trust in used watches again, and Journe did it. fpjourne.com/fpj-patrimoine.