The Chronomètre Bleu BYBLOS by F.P. Journe offered as charity lot

Dubai - It is with great pleasure that Christie’s will present as THE last lot of the October watch sale, a F.P. Journe The Chronomètre Bleu BYBLOS offered by a close and long standing friend of Christie’s, Mr. Claude Sfeir, to benefit the Rashid Centre for Disabled. 2014 marks the 20^th anniversary of this outstanding humanitarian organization which is located in Dubai and cares for over 300 children from the age of 5 to 18 years old. At Rashid Centre, each child benefits from a tailor-made educational and therapy program to develop their abilities to enable them to be as independent and active as possible. The watch is expected to sell for around $20,000.

Claude Sfeir commented: “Without sharing with those in need, our success is never completed. Over the years I have participated in many charity auctions with much enthusiasm. This time I am donating this exclusive piece by F.P. Journe and the proceeds of this sale will go towards the Rashid Centre for Disabled. I hope the international watch collector community will show generosity in their endorsement of this great institution which is celebrating its 20^thanniversary of support for children with special needs and which stands under the patronage of its Chairman, H.H. Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum.”

The donated wristwatch is the latest creation by F:P: Journe to mark the brand’s 10^th boutique-shop opening in Beirut. This unique model was named after the city of Byblos, located on the Lebanese coast, just a few kilometers north of Beirut. The Chronomètre Bleu BYBLOS is a limited edition of 99 numbered pieces. For the first time, F.P.Journe has used a cut-out dial that reveals the exceptional, beautiful, 18k rose-gold mechanical movement. With its blue hour circle featuring Arabic numerals, the Chronomètre Bleu BYBLOS represents the Oriental sun set against a deep Mediterranean blue sky. Another unprecedented characteristic of this model is the 'J' from the Phoenician alphabet in the F.P.Journe logo engraved on the movement. The Phoenician 'J' is the letter 'yodh', that means 'hand' and that hence emphasizes the importance of handcrafting in F.P.Journe's creations. Furthermore, 'yodh' is the tenth letter of the Phoenician alphabet, consequently alluding to F.P.Journe's 10th Boutique-shop in Beirut. The present lot is ONE of the very few pieces with Eastern Arabic numerals on the dial.