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 brand (after the Tourbillion and Resonance) and the first automatic mechanism to deliver 120 hours of precision timekeeping, through reserved-power.
A year later, the Octa Réserve de Marche became F.P. Journe’s first automatic watch, produced between 2002 and 2014, with an estimated total number of only 700-800 cases known. During this time, the overall layout saw no real change except for dial texture and colours. Throughout the production cycle of the model, both the 38mm and 40mm case size was used, with this model being an example of the latter.
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.
In 2004, Journe switched to manufacturing movements from 18-carat gold, having developed the brand sufficiently to further the manufacturing process and move away from brass. With this introduction, all existing movements were issued with new calibre codes. In the case of the Octa Series, this calibre was referred to as 1300-2; indicating the second version of the movement. It’s believed that very few 1300-2 movements were made, during a short transitional period - consequently, making these rarer than many of the first generation brass-movement pieces. You can read more about this in The Journe Guy’s in-depth study.
This self-winding F.P. Journe caliber 1300 movement is 18-carat rose gold, 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 off-centre bi-directional 22-carat gold guilloche rotor. The movement is engraved "Exclusive Power Reserve System" and "Precision Chronometer".
The design
The Octa Réserve de Marche 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 signature elements throughout. The combination of the rose gold case and matching dial is rather unusual, being one of the rarest configurations found in Francois-Paul Journe's production. The tone-on-tone nature of it, remiscent of some vintage Patek Philippe wristwatches, has been of particular appeal to some.
The words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ are inscribed below the power reserve (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 Réserve de Marche comes with an original F.P Journe alligator strap, a bespoke Geneva nubuck leather strap with curved ends (measuring 20 x 19mm) and corresponding rose gold buckle. It's also accompanied the original inner and outer boxes, and stamped guarantee card from F.P. Journe.
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