In celebration of its tenth anniversary, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo has unveiled the highlight of The New York Watch Auction: XIII — the F.P. Journe FFC prototype, which was crafted exclusively for the iconic filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola.
The F.P. Journe FFC prototype is the first timepiece in horological history to display time with a human hand, a pioneering concept born from an inspired conversation in 2012 between Coppola and François-Paul Journe at Coppola’s Inglenook winery in Napa Valley.
The idea sparked over dinner when Coppola asked Journe if a watch had ever used a human hand to indicate the passing hours. Enchanted by the challenge, Journe and Coppola embarked on a collaboration that spanned nearly a decade, resulting in this singular prototype, which stands apart as the only Journe watch conceived by someone other than its founder.
Since the F.P. Journe Manufacture’s establishment in 1999, only six prototype watches personally assembled by Journe have ever been sold, making this offering exceptionally rare. Accompanying the FFC prototype are six other watches from Coppola’s personal collection, including the F.P. Journe Résonance, a platinum timepiece gifted by his wife Eleanor in 2009 that sparked their initial meeting.
The FFC prototype, expected to fetch over $1 million, will lead the December auction following an international tour through London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, poised as one of the season’s most sought-after lots.
François-Paul Journe reflects, “The idea of displaying time via a human hand was an extraordinary challenge, exactly the kind of project that fuels my passion for watchmaking. Years of collaborative development culminated in delivering a creation beyond my initial imagination. I’m proud to support its sale through Phillips to aid Francis’s continued artistic endeavours.”
Paul Boutros, Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas, praised the piece’s historic significance. “The FFC prototype is a spectacular union of two masterful creatives — one film, one watchmaking — resulting in a technical marvel that redefines artistic expression in horology. This watch is not simply a timekeeper but a deeply personal work of art and a once-in-a-lifetime chance for collectors worldwide.”
Their meeting itself stemmed from a thoughtful Christmas gift in 2009: a platinum F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance with a white gold dial, soon to be auctioned alongside this prototype. Inspired, Coppola invited Journe to visit Inglenook, where their shared passion blossomed into a decade-long project to display a twelve-hour cycle using five fingers — a nod to the ancient human practice of finger-counting time.
The mechanical hand’s design draws from the pioneering work of 16th-century French surgeon Ambroise Paré, father of modern surgery and inventor of intricate prosthetic limbs. Journe’s homage to Paré’s “Le Petit Lorrain” prosthetic hand brings a steampunk elegance to the watch, featuring overlapping metallic plates and articulated fingers, combining medieval craftsmanship with avant-garde mechanics.
The technical feat lay in powering this elaborate mechanism without draining the movement’s reserve. Leveraging the Octa calibre 1300.3 and its remontoir d’egalité, Journe spent seven years perfecting a movement just 8.1mm thick that synchronises the kinetic artistry of the titanium hand with precise timekeeping.
Two unique prototypes were made — one for Journe himself, the other bearing Coppola’s signature — both rarities among F.P. Journe’s masterpieces.
Coppola’s features steel bridges, a rotating white minutes ring, and a black-treated titanium hand, exemplifying unparalleled craftsmanship. Both watches remain among the very few personally assembled by Journe.
FFC watches are produced only sparingly, reserved exclusively for Journe’s top clients. Aside from the FFC Blue created for charity in 2021, Coppola’s prototype is the only one ever set for public auction — a true collector’s gem born from the creative synergy of two legends.
Alongside these treasures, the auction will feature pieces from Patek Philippe, Breguet, Blancpain, and IWC from Coppola’s esteemed collection, highlighting his discerning taste.
Coppola’s appreciation for legacy extends beyond watchmaking. In 2011, he acquired the historic Inglenook trademark — a symbol of excellence for the Napa estate founded in 1879 — underscoring his belief in preserving history as a foundation for future stewardship.
Much like his cinematic storytelling, Coppola’s watch collection captures the unseen: time itself, masterfully measured and eternally treasured.
This exceptional offering blends artistry, heritage, and innovation, giving collectors not just a watch but a narrative of friendship, inspiration, and human ingenuity.
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