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Lot Essay
The origins of the Vagabondage collection can be traced back to 1997, when François-Paul Journe created a unique wristwatch for a close friend known as the Carpe Diem. Housed in a round yellow gold case, it featured an automatic movement and an unconventional display combining wandering hours with a central exposed balance wheel. Journe later revisited the concept, developing a manually wound wristwatch with a similar display housed in a tortue-shaped case. Although a prototype was completed, the project was ultimately set aside as the manufacture's attention turned to other developments.
The design resurfaced in 2003 when Antiquorum invited François-Paul Journe to create a unique timepiece for its 30th Anniversary charity auction benefiting the ICM Foundation. Faced with an ambitious six-month deadline, Journe chose to reinterpret the sleeping Vagabondage prototype rather than develop an entirely new concept. The result was three unique watches, executed in yellow, pink, and white gold respectively, each fitted with a brass movement. In keeping with the purity of the design, the dial deliberately omitted the F.P. Journe signature. Following the overwhelming success of the auction and strong demand from collectors, Journe agreed to place the model into regular production, albeit in extremely limited numbers due to its distinctive aesthetic within the manufacture's catalogue.
The first production series, the Vagabondage I, was introduced in 2004 in a limited edition of 69 platinum examples, complemented by ten additional pieces set with baguette-cut diamonds. The Vagabondage II followed in 2010, with production expanded to include both platinum and 68 pink gold examples. In recognition of the loyalty of existing collectors, owners of a Vagabondage I were given priority to acquire a Vagabondage II bearing the same individual number, a tradition that continued with the release of the Vagabondage III in 2017.
In 2022, François-Paul Journe unveiled the final chapter of the series with the Vagabondage I Gold, such as the present timepiece. Conceived to allow collectors to complete the coveted gold trilogy alongside the Vagabondage II and III in pink gold, it was far more than a simple re-edition of the original model. Instead, it represents an evolution developed nearly two decades after the debut of the Vagabondage I. Housed in a larger 45.2 x 37.5 mm case and powered by the updated calibre 1504.2, it preserves the unmistakable spirit of the original while benefiting from eighteen years of technical refinement, bringing one of the manufacture's most unconventional and collectible creations to its ultimate expression.
The design resurfaced in 2003 when Antiquorum invited François-Paul Journe to create a unique timepiece for its 30th Anniversary charity auction benefiting the ICM Foundation. Faced with an ambitious six-month deadline, Journe chose to reinterpret the sleeping Vagabondage prototype rather than develop an entirely new concept. The result was three unique watches, executed in yellow, pink, and white gold respectively, each fitted with a brass movement. In keeping with the purity of the design, the dial deliberately omitted the F.P. Journe signature. Following the overwhelming success of the auction and strong demand from collectors, Journe agreed to place the model into regular production, albeit in extremely limited numbers due to its distinctive aesthetic within the manufacture's catalogue.
The first production series, the Vagabondage I, was introduced in 2004 in a limited edition of 69 platinum examples, complemented by ten additional pieces set with baguette-cut diamonds. The Vagabondage II followed in 2010, with production expanded to include both platinum and 68 pink gold examples. In recognition of the loyalty of existing collectors, owners of a Vagabondage I were given priority to acquire a Vagabondage II bearing the same individual number, a tradition that continued with the release of the Vagabondage III in 2017.
In 2022, François-Paul Journe unveiled the final chapter of the series with the Vagabondage I Gold, such as the present timepiece. Conceived to allow collectors to complete the coveted gold trilogy alongside the Vagabondage II and III in pink gold, it was far more than a simple re-edition of the original model. Instead, it represents an evolution developed nearly two decades after the debut of the Vagabondage I. Housed in a larger 45.2 x 37.5 mm case and powered by the updated calibre 1504.2, it preserves the unmistakable spirit of the original while benefiting from eighteen years of technical refinement, bringing one of the manufacture's most unconventional and collectible creations to its ultimate expression.