F.P. Journe Vagabondage III Ref. VIII Limited Series Platinum Limited Edition of 69

F.P. Journe introduced the Vagabondage III in 2017 as the last of three watches carrying a jumping display in a Flat Tortue case. It was the first wristwatch with a digital jumping seconds indication. The line began with a unique piece called the CARPEDIEM in 1997 and with the Vagabondage I of 2004, made for the thirtieth anniversary of the auction house Antiquorum as three unique pieces in white, yellow and rose gold, before the platinum limited editions of 2005 and 2006.

The case is platinum, measuring 45.2 by 37.5 mm and standing 7.84 mm deep, on a leather strap closing on a platinum folding clasp. The dial is smoked sapphire with the apertures cut in 18K white gold, and the outer dial is finished with screwed steel elements. The hands are blued steel and ivory-coloured steel.

The watch indicates jumping hours and jumping seconds through apertures, carries the minutes and the power reserve on hands, and is manually wound. A jumping seconds steps once per second, where the Vagabondage II's jumping minutes step once per minute.

Three Vagabondage III series were made: this platinum one of sixty-nine pieces, a gold one of sixty-eight, and a platinum one of ten set with baguette diamonds. The Vagabondage II of 2010 shares this case at 45.2 by 37.5 mm but stands 8 mm deep and jumps the minutes. The Vagabondage I is a different and smaller case at 41 by 34 mm and 6.7 mm in platinum, made in ten set pieces and sixty-nine plain, with a gold version at 45.2 by 37.5 mm and 7.6 mm in sixty-eight.

The Vagabondage III closes the line. No fourth reference followed and the Flat Tortue case has not carried another jumping display since.