F.P. Journe Élégante 48 mm Titalyt (the most expensive quartz without bling ever)

Quick specs F.P. Journe Élégante 48 mm Titalyt
Price: approx. € 384.000 | approx. CHF 369’000 | $ 420,000 | approx. £ 327,000
Size: 48 x 40 mm
Reference: unknown – unique piece

The F.P. Journe Élégante 48 mm Titalyt is the most expensive quartz ever, due to an auction on the 2^nd of March 2024. It is a unique piece that was auctioned at a Miami Fundraising Event that was co-hosted by Phillips Watches. The good thing: 100 % of the sale price is donated to the Breast Cancer Research Foundation, which is the largest private funder of breast cancer research in the world.

Yes, there were more expensive quartzes but the only reason for their higher prices are diamonds. This FPJ has none. However, the quartz movement of this watch is a very high-end piece with a power reserve, or battery life, between 8 to 18 years. That is no typo, it is years.

The F.P. Journe Élégante 48 mm Titalyt has a power reserve of 8-18 years

To save the battery life, the F.P. Journe Élégante 48 mm Titalyt “hibernates” after 35 minutes of inactivity. The hands just stop moving. When you move the watch again its motion detector “awakens” the watch and automatically sets the correct time itself. Where the hands take the shortest route, either clockwise or counterclockwise.

Of course, the watch is a unique piece. Basically, it is a standard 48-millimeter titanium Élégante with just two differences. It has a pink “1” on the dial, and a pink rubber strap, both a reference to the color often associated with cancer research. The regular model retails for about USD 20,000, if you can get one. Prices for used ones are often beyond 50k, so 420k for a unique piece and supporting a good cause isn’t that bad at all.