Extraordinary result for the charity sale of F.P.Journe’s New Centigraphe Sport Watch No. 001
By MyWatch
Christie’s, the world’s leading auctioneer, and F.P. Journe, legendary constructor and master watchmaker, jointly announce the extraordinary sales result for the Centigraphe Sport Number 001, the first in a new series of all-aluminium wristwatch, including case, movement and bracelet. Watch Number 001 of the Centigraphe Sport was sold at the watch sale of Christie’s Hong Kong Spring auction on May 30th, 2011, to raise funds for the FERE foundation and Médecins du Monde in Japan to help victims of the tsunami and earthquake. The final price soared to an extraordinary HK$ 3,620,000 /US$ 465,170, close to nine times its original estimate.
François-Paul Journe said : “I am tremendously happy with the extraordinary sales result of the Centigraphe Sport, and I am proud my watch will contribute to bring relief aid to earthquake and tsunami victims in Japan. I want to sincerely thank the whole Christie’s team for its support, I thank the bidders and all those who have helped realize this extraordinary project. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. ”
Aurel Bacs, International Head of Watches, Christie’s, said: “We are indeed honoured to have this opportunity to collaborate with F.P. Journe. The sale of the Centigraphe Sport Number 001 was conducted in a packed room, with ten bidders competing swiftly to over HK$1 million, until thunderous applause broke out when a Japanese collector and philanthropist won the final bid online, raising HK$3,620,000/US$465,170 for this worthy cause.”
Bidders on the phone from Asia and Europe, as well as bidders in the room and on the internet fought an extraordinary battle for this watch. Proceeds from the sale of this watch as well as the buyer’s commission will be donated to Médecins du Monde Japan and Franco-Japanese foundation FERE who has set up a programme called ‘100 maisons pour 100 familles’, which constructs temporary anti-seismic wooden houses to relocate family victims of the earthquake and tsunami in the northern city of Sendai, province of Miyagi, in Japan.
The donation ceremony will be held at the Embassy of Switzerland in Tokyo on June 3rd, 2011, in the presence of his Excellence the Ambassador Mr. Urs Bucher, Mr. François-Paul Journe, Ms. Yuko Fukagawa from Christie’s Japan, and the representative of both charity organizations.
