A rare F.P. Journe wristwatch once owned by NFL star Tom Brady sold for $960,000 at Sotheby’s in New York, far above expectations and a new world record for the model. The sale turned the watch into one of the headline lots in a market increasingly driven by collector demand.
The watch is a Vagabondage II, a highly sought-after limited edition with only 69 pieces made. The line was originally created as an unusual charity fundraising project, and its unconventional barrel-shaped case, along with the absence of the brand name on the dial, helped make it a cult object among watch enthusiasts.
Inside is a manually wound Calibre 1509 movement made entirely of 18-karat rose gold. One of its standout features is a jumping digital display for the hours and minutes, a rare mechanical complication found in very few luxury watches.
According to reports, Brady ordered the watch as a special commission in 2017, and it remained in excellent condition with its original box and paperwork. Sotheby’s had estimated it at $400,000 to $800,000, but intense bidding pushed it to $960,000, setting a new record for the model. The sale adds to a series of record-breaking transactions for independent watchmakers, especially F.P. Journe, whose profile has been rising sharply among collectors and investors.
