F. P. Journe Octa Automatique Lune, 40mm, Platinum

The history

The earliest works of François-Paul Journe effortlessly blend traditional 19th-century watchmaking with modern haute-horology. The Octa movement was introduced in 2001, becoming only the third developed by the brand - after the Tourbillon and Resonance - and the first automatic mechanism to deliver 120 hours of precision timekeeping, through reserved-power. Two years later, the very first Octa Lune won the ‘Favourite Men’s Watch’ award at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) - the most prestigious award ceremony in the watch industry.

The movement

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 be divided into two main movement types – the manually-wound Souverain and automatic Octa (Latin for "eight" or "infinite"). 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 self-winding F.P. Journe caliber 1300.3 movement is 18-carat rose gold, with Côtes de Genève, constructed with 36 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 off-centre uni-directional 22-carat guilloche rotor. The movement is engraved "Exclusive Power Reserve System" and "Precision Chronometer".

The design

The Octa Automatique Lune is quintessentially an F.P. Journe, in both its design language and movement. Housed in a contemporary 40mm case, it is made distinctive by a number of familiar elements throughout. The combination of the guilloché Clous de Paris dial and printed numerals has become a signature of the watchmaker, featured most notably on the Chronomètre Souverain. The dial of this Octa Automatique Lune also features a large date and moonphase display, making these highly legible.

The words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ are inscribed at 3 o'clock (Latin for ‘Invented and Made’ or more literally 'Designed and built by F.P. Journe') in classic F.P. Journe style - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago. At nine o’clock, a power reserve indicator of 120 hours is also shown.

The set

This 40mm F. P. Journe Octa Automatique Lune comes with a black F.P. Journe alligator strap, which is unworn, in addition to a bespoke Tallinn nubuck leather strap with curved ends (measuring 20 x 19mm) and corresponding platinum buckle. It's also accompanied by the original F.P.Journe warranty card. The watch was recently fully serviced by the manufacture in November 2020.

Viewings are currently suspended for the time being.

Closer look