PHILLIPS TO OFFER HOLLYWOOD LEGEND FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’S UNIQUE F.P.JOURNE FFC PROTOTYPE WRISTWATCH
From Left to Right: Francis Ford Coppola, 2025, F.P.Journe, Francis Ford Coppola’s Unique FFC Prototype Estimate in Excess of $1 million
NEW YORK – OCTOBER 2025 – Continuing the celebration of its 10th year, Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo is honored to announce the top lot of The New York Watch Auction: XIII — Francis Ford Coppola’s one-of- one wristwatch, made specifically for the legendary filmmaker. Born of a conversation in 2012 between the two titans when they met at Coppola’s Inglenook winery in Napa Valley in which Coppola asked Journe if a human hand had ever been used to indicate time, this watch is the first timepiece in history to employ such a feature. The two became so captivated by the concept of using one human hand to convey a twelve-hour period that discussions and prototyping continued for years, culminating with this prototype watch resulting from Coppola’s idea. The FFC is the first and only Journe timepiece whose idea came from someone other than François-Paul. Furthermore, since the founding of the F.P.Journe Manufacture in 1999, it is one of only six prototype timepieces assembled by François-Paul himself that have been sold. This historic timepiece will be offered alongside six other watches from Coppola’s personal collection in the December sale, including the F.P.Journe Résonance gifted to Coppola by his wife Eleanor in 2009 that led to Coppola’s pivotal 2012 meeting with François-Paul Journe. Expected to realize in excess of $1 million, this FFC Prototype will lead The New York Watch Auction: XIII on 6-7 December following a world tour to London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, and is poised to become one of the top lots of the season across the watch auction industry.
Caseback of Coppola’s FFC Prototype
François-Paul Journe, Master Watchmaker and F.P.Journe Founder, said, “Speaking with Francis in 2012 and hearing his idea on the use of a human hand to indicate time inspired me to create a watch I never could have imagined myself. The challenge was formidable – exactly the type of watchmaking project I adore. After years of collaborating directly with Francis in the development process, it was a great pleasure to deliver this FFC prototype to him in 2021. I’m proud to fully support the sale of this watch through Phillips to fund the creation of his artistic masterpieces in filmmaking.”
Paul Boutros, Deputy Chairman and Head of Watches, Americas, said, “This FFC Prototype is, without question, one of the most historically significant F.P.Journe timepieces ever made. Imagined by Francis Ford Coppola and realized by François-Paul Journe, two masters working side-by-side, it showcases what can be achieved when great creative minds collaborate, igniting the fires of ingenuity. This FFC Prototype is more than a watch – it is a singular work of art, a technical marvel, and a deeply personal object, made for one of the greatest filmmakers of all time. Its incredible provenance, remarkable creativity, and exceptional rarity place it firmly amongst the most important timepieces ever to appear at auction, and we are thrilled to present this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to our international community.”
The meeting of two legends of their respective industries came about due to a thoughtful Christmas gift from Coppola’s wife in 2009 – a Chronomètre à Résonance in platinum with a white gold dial, also to be offered in the December auction. Delighted and fascinated by the timepiece, Coppola extended an invitation for François- Paul Journe to visit him at his Inglenook winery in the Napa Valley. Journe and Coppola together solved the dilemma of how to show the hours on a single hand clearly distinguishing all twelve hours with just five fingers.
The mechanism of the hand and its architecture marked the next challenge. Journe drew inspiration from Ambroise Paré, the pioneering 16th-century barber surgeon known as the father of modern surgery and an innovator of prosthetic limbs. His prosthetic hand, nicknamed “Le Petit Lorrain,” was among the most celebrated, crafted from iron and leather with hidden gears and springs that allowed the fingers to articulate and grasp objects, much like in watchmaking. Journe chose Paré’s hand as the archetype for the automaton to indicate the hours, giving the watch a futuristic, almost steampunk look with overlapping metallic plates and screws reminiscent of medieval gauntlets. With its form decided, Journe faced the next obstacle: powering the hand mechanism without depleting the movement’s energy. Drawing on his Octa caliber 1300.3 and the remontoir d’egalité, he spent seven years refining the design, resulting in a movement only 8.1mm thick.
Made in two unique examples for himself and Francis Ford Coppola, the prototypes differ from each other and from later production pieces in several ways. Journe’s remains with him, while the present watch is Coppola’s prototype, engraved with his name. The FFC Coppola features steel bridges, and is one of only two prototypes alongside François-Paul’s with a rotating white minutes ring, and a black-treated titanium hand. Along with the unique FFC Blue created for Only Watch 2021, these are the only FFCs—and among the very few watches— assembled by Journe’s own hand.
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Extremely few FFCs are produced each year, reserved only for François-Paul’s best clients, and apart from the FFC Blue, one has never before appeared at public auction. Coppola’s example represents a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity: a watch made by one master for another, bearing the hand designed by a master of his craft. Alongside Coppola’s own FFC, six other watches from the director’s personal collection will be offered in The New York Watch Auction:XIII, including the platinum F.P.Journe Chronomètre à Résonance that sparked their first connection, as well as examples from Patek Philippe, Breguet, Blancpain, and IWC.
Francis Ford Coppola understands the value of time, always looking to the past in order to secure a better future. In 2011 he did just that when he acquired the iconic Inglenook trademark, restoring a symbol of excellence to the Chateau that he and his family purchased in 1995. The Inglenook estate was founded in 1879 by Finnish Sea Captain Gustave Niebaum, and its legacy carried on by Niebaum’s grandnephew John Daniel Jr., who created such heralded wines as its 1941 Cabernet Sauvignon.
ADDITIONAL WATCHES FROM THE COLLECTION OF FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA
From Left to Right: F.P.Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Estimate: $120,000 to $240,000, Patek Philippe World Time ref. 5130G Estimate: $15,000 to $30,000, Patek Philippe Calatrava ref. 3919 Estimate: $6,000 to $12,000, Breguet Classique ref. 5140 Estimate: $4,000 to $8,000 NO RESERVE, Blancpain Minute Repeater Estimate: $15,000 to $30,000, Blancpain Minute Repeater Estimate: $15,000 to $30,000 NO RESERVE
Coppola has said that he spent more money on the trademark than he did the entire estate, a true testament to just how important historical preservation is to one’s legacy, and the need to restore the past in order to be the best steward going forward, to the land and to its founder, Captain Niebaum. It was also around this time that Coppola began acquiring these celebrated and sophisticated watches, with their intricate mechanics that corral and measure a thing unseen, time itself.
ABOUT PHILLIPS IN ASSOCIATION WITH BACS & RUSSO
The team of specialists at Phillips Watches is dedicated to an uncompromised approach to quality, transparency, and client service. Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo holds the world record for the most successful watch auction, with its Geneva Watch Auction: XIV having realized $74.5 million in 2021. The annual total for watch auctions in 2024 exceeded $212 million, marking the first time any auction house's
Watches department has surpassed $200 million in annual sales for four consecutive years.
Record–breaking prices include:
1. Paul Newman’s Rolex “Paul Newman” Daytona reference 6239 (CHF 17,709,894 / US$17,752,500) – New York Auction: Winning Icons – 26 October 2017 – Highest result ever achieved for any vintage wristwatch at auction.
2. Patek Philippe reference 1518 in stainless steel (CHF 11,020,000 / US$11,112,020) – Geneva Watch Auction: FOUR – 12 November 2016 – Highest result ever achieved for a vintage Patek Philippe wristwatch at auction
ABOUT PHILLIPS
Phillips: where the world’s curious and bold connect with the art, design, and luxury that inspires them. As a leading global platform for buying and selling 20th and 21st century works, Phillips offers dedicated expertise in the areas of Modern and Contemporary Art, Design, Photographs, Editions, Watches, and Jewels. Auctions and exhibitions are primarily held in New York, London, Geneva, and Hong Kong, with representative offices based throughout Europe, the United States, and Asia. Phillips offers a regular selection of live and online auctions, along with items available for immediate purchase. Phillips also offers a range of services and advice on all aspects of collecting, including private sales and assistance with appraisals, valuations, and financial planning.
For more information about this auction and others with Phillips, please visit their site here. Also, please follow Phillips on Facebook and Instagram. *Estimates do not include buyer’s premium; prices achieved include the hammer price plus buyer’s premium.
