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singerSpotted November 2022

Singer Nicky Jam spotted wearing a F.P. Journe

singer Nicky Jam spotted wearing a F.P. Journe
Who & what: 18K Rose Gold F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Vertical 20th Anniversary – Nicky Jam Sighting

Nicky Jam was recently photographed on what appears to be a luxury Miami high-rise terrace, posing in characteristic relaxed fashion while sporting one of the most technically demanding wristwatches in independent horology. On his wrist: an F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Vertical in 18K rose gold, the limited anniversary edition released in 2019 to celebrate two decades of Mr. Journe's iconic tourbillon lineage.

The Tourbillon Souverain Vertical distinguishes itself from its 1999 predecessor through a radical architectural decision: the tourbillon cage is oriented vertically rather than flat against the dial plane. This geometry, visible through the large aperture on the left side of the dial, allows gravity's influence on the escapement to be countered more efficiently during wrist wear — the position in which a watch actually spends most of its time. Paired with Journe's signature remontoir d'égalité, which re-tensions the gear train every two seconds to deliver perfectly regulated impulses to the escapement, the movement represents two centuries of horological problem-solving compressed into a single calibre. The rose gold guilloché dial, subdial for running seconds, and power-reserve indicator are finished to the exacting standard Journe's Geneva manufacture has maintained since moving away from brass to 18K gold movements.

From a collector standpoint, the Tourbillon Souverain Vertical occupies rarefied territory. Production numbers are extremely limited — F.P. Journe does not publish figures, but informed estimates place annual output for this reference in the low double digits. The 20th-anniversary context adds a layer of historical significance that resonates strongly with serious Journe collectors, who already treat the brand's pieces as near-unobtainable. Grey-market values have roughly doubled from the already steep list price of approximately $260,000 USD, with examples trading at or above $520,000 in secondary auctions and private sales.

Nicky Jam, born Nick Rivera Caminero, has built a multi-platinum career across Latin trap and reggaeton and has long been an enthusiastic collector of high-complications. His preference for independent watchmaking — rather than the more commonly spotted mainstream luxury brands — signals a sophisticated collecting palate. Wearing the F.P. Journe TSV casually on a rooftop with a beanie and chain is precisely the kind of nonchalant flex that makes celebrity watch-spotting worthwhile.

For anyone hoping to acquire an F.P. Journe Tourbillon Souverain Vertical today, the path runs almost exclusively through auction houses and trusted private dealers. Authorized retailer allocation is effectively nonexistent. At current grey-market levels north of half a million dollars, this is a watch that has transcended the concept of retail entirely — making Nicky Jam's relaxed wrist placement all the more striking.

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