WatchBox Exhibits $25-Million F.P. Journe And De Bethune Collection

If you’ve ever wished you could get up close and personal with some of the unique creations of star independent watchmakers F.P. Journe and De Bethune, here’s your chance. WatchBox, the giant pre-owned luxury watch dealer, has curated a $25-million exhibit of their most important models, and it’s on a world tour, currently in Asia and the Middle East. Of all the watches sold at auction last year, independent watchmakers like Journe, De Bethune and others, are gaining on the big brands in terms of popularity and price, and that makes them a great investment. This exhibit comes on the heels of a year that saw $626-million in watches sold by the three main auction houses, Sotheby’s, Phillips and Christie’s, many of which were made by independent watchmakers.

The exhibit, entitled “Two Decades of F.P. Journe and De Bethune,” honors François-Paul Journe and Denis Flageollet’s contributions to watchmaking in the 21st century with a collection of more than 100 important watches on display and available to purchase, and a forum for private appointments, panels and educational talks. It will display important pieces made in the last 20 years, many of which are so rare that this will be a one-of-a-kind opportunity to see them. Highlights include De Bethune’s classic DB25 Tourbillon with a Milky Way pattern on the dial and the tourbillon revealed on the caseback; a first-generation brass movement piece by F.P. Journe; and rare F.P. Journe models such as the Tourbillon Souverain Régence Circulaire and Régence Losange. Also on display will be landmark pieces like De Bethune’s DB1 Monopusher Chronograph; and Journe’s groundbreaking Chronomètre a Résonance.

WatchBox experts Tim Mosso, director of media, and Jack Forster, global editorial director, will be on site in Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai to discuss the brand-defining collections by François-Paul Journe and Denis Flageollet, the founder of De Bethune. Two Decades of F.P. Journe and De Bethune runs through February 17, with stops in Singapore, Shanghai, Hong Kong and Dubai.