In 2004,
Journe began manufacturing movements from 18-carat gold, having developed the brand sufficiently to further the manufacturing process. Interestingly, it is
François-Paul Journe's earliest brass-movement pieces that command more interest from collectors. It is estimated that only 2000 brass-movement examples were ever produced, across all lines, and were manufactured exclusively between 2001 and circa 2004. Brass-movement,
F. P Journe pieces are highly-sought after, owing to their unique placement in the brand's history and rarity.
The
Octa Réserve de Marche is quintessentially an
F.P Journe, in both its design language and movement. Housed in a classical 38 mm dress watch case, it is made distinctive by
F.P. Journe’s signature flat crown with a rope-like pattern. The white gold dial is delicately textured, and displays a separate silver guilloché dial for the hours and minutes. The words
‘Invenit et Fecit
’ are inscribed to the left the subsidiary seconds (Latin for “Invented and Made”) in classic
F.P Journe style - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago. The signature
F.P. Journe style hands form a distinct contrast to the dial. Between eight and nine o’clock is a power reserve indicator of 120 hours, with a large date aperture above. Overall, the dial layout is clean and highly legible.
While this piece is undeniably attractive, it is the movement that
F.P. Journe is famed for. Since the introduction of the first
Reserve de Marche in 2001, mechanical
F. P Journe examples can been divided into two main movement types – the manually-wound
Souverain and automatic
Octa (Latin for "eight" or "infinite"). In 2001, the
Octa debuted as the first automatic movement to deliver 120 hours of precision timekeeping through reserved-power. Each
Octa movement is designed to incorporate fully-integrated complications within the same volume. Impressively, all variations within
F. P Journe’s entire
Octa collection are identical, both in diameter and thickness.
This automatic, self-winding
F.P. Journe caliber
1300 movement is rhodium-plated brass, with
Côtes de Genève embellishments, constructed with 32 jewels and a shock absorber mechanism. It further features a straight-line lever escapement, and monometallic 4-arm balance with 4 timing weights, adjusted to 5 positions. It includes a self-compensating free-sprung flat balance spring, and an off-center bi-directional 22-carat gold guilloche rotor. The movement is engraved "Exclusive Power Reserve System" and "Precision Chronometer".
The earliest works of
François-Paul Journe, effortlessly blend traditional 19th-century watchmaking with modern haute-horology, in perfect harmony. Housed in a 38 mm platinum case, this
F.P. Journe Octa Automatique Réserve de Marche is one of few pieces that represent its original, inspired design – the classic 38 mm case, since no longer in production.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment.
