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 Zodiaque is one of the only brass-movement examples housed within a 40mm case.
The
Octa Zodiaque is quintessentially an
F.P Journe, in both its design language and movement. Featuring a classical 40 mm dress watch case, it is made distinctive by
F.P. Journe’s signature flat crown with a rope-like pattern. The silver and slate grey, white gold dial is delicately textured, and displays a separate outer chapter for the month and a corresponding sign of the Zodiac. The outer circle moves each day, driven by a large date system which indicates the month and sign of the Zodiac at 12 o’clock. 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 be 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
1300.1 movement is rhodium-plated brass, with
Côtes de Genève embellishments. It 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".
This limited edition, platinum
F.P. Journe Octa Zodiaque comes with an original
F.P Journe, black alligator strap, corresponding platinum tang buckle, and its original boxes. It’s also accompanied by a
Certificate of Authenticity from
F.P. Journe, which confirms the original date of sale, as December 1st, 2006.
Viewings can be arranged in Central London by appointment (although these are currently suspended due to ongoing Covid-19 concerns).
