FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium Watch Review
The FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium blends traditional Swiss craftsmanship, technical virtue and modern design. In a world where standards seem to wane and everything is ‘dumbed-down’, Angus Davies discovers a haven of excellence, alive and well in Geneva.
Language evolves over time. Some words widely used in the 19th century are now no longer employed. In recent times, the beauty of the English language has been diminished with the shift to an informal patois. Many middle-class teenagers choose to converse using a ‘gangsta rap’ lexicon. Sentences are now populated with abbreviations, jargon and monosyllabic grunts. The fact is, standards have dropped in the pursuit of haste and perceived ‘coolness’.
Fast foods are widely consumed. The ubiquitous ‘drive-thru’ often serves fatty and sugary foods that lack creativity and flavour. The notion of wholesome food is becoming increasingly alien to the teenagers of today.
Now, there are so-called ‘smart’ watches that purport to be timepieces, but in reality, they are simply wrist-worn electronic gadgets. They are devoid of craftsmanship and mechanical virtue, fulfilling a need rather than indulging a passion.
Thankfully, in terms of Haute Horlogerie, some companies continue to uphold traditional techniques and reject mediocrity. One such company is FP Journe, a bastion of excellence. This company makes no concessions to haste. Skills and creativity abound. Indeed, no compromise horology flourishes at Rue de l’Arquebuse, Geneva, the home of this remarkable Maison.
FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium dial
While FP Journe timepieces are endowed with traditional finishing, the Octa Sport Titanium evinces a high quotient of modernity. The yellow hue of the lacquered dial would not look out of place on a space-age supercar. Its bold, sporty epidermis brims with excitement. Indeed, this watch stands out from the crowd with its vibrant tones and ebullient personality.
The hour and minute hands feature fine tips, curving sides and luminescent treatment. They exude grace while lucidly expressing meaning. Luminescent Arabic numerals indicate the hours, save for 6 o’clock where the index is supplanted by a small seconds display. Additionally, 12 luminescent points provide a secondary means of denoting the hour. A chemin-de-fer encircles the dial, aiding readability.
A large date display resides at 1 o’clock. The expansive date is proclaimed in red text avec serifs and is framed with a black aperture. The clearance between the two date discs is minimal, fooling the observer into assuming there’s only one date disc at play and, more pertinently, enhancing legibility.
A small seconds display resides at 6 o’clock. A svelte red hand, equipped with an openworked counterweight, floats above a crisp white disc. A smaller chemin-de-fer frames the small seconds dial, aiding read-off, while at the same time reinforcing the design language. A plate frames the small seconds display and is held in position with three screws.
The FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium conjures thoughts of an octane-rich world. For this reason, it seems fitting that the watch is equipped with a fuel-gauge, or should I say, power-reserve indicator, positioned between 10 and 11 o’clock. On this display, a lone white hand collaborates with a crescent-shaped scale to advise the wearer of the energy held within the barrel. Lastly, a day/night indicator sits at 9 o’clock.
FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium case
Measuring 44 mm in diameter, the FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium is a large watch, providing sufficient room for each indication to breathe. Nothing is squashed. Everything is highly legible.
The case is formed of titanium Grade 5, but delivered in a handsome shade of anthracite. In addition, the case is enriched with rubber inserts, reinforcing the sporty temperament of the watch. In using titanium, the timepiece is blessed with a low mass, granting sublime levels of wearer comfort.
The crown sits between 4 and 5 o’clock. It features a rope-like motif around its edge consistent with several other FP Journe models.
A slender, titanium and ceramic bezel frames the dial. Silver-toned numerals avec serifs are paired with a black background. The numerals stand out and prove useful when reading off the minutes. The bezel is comparatively slim, allowing more space for the dial, enhancing read-off.
An exhibition case-back, positioned to the rear of the watch provides sight of the Automatic Calibre FPJ 1300-3.
FP Journe Calibre FPJ 1300-3
Unusually, the Automatic Calibre FPJ 1300-3 is made of aluminium, endowing the watch with a low mass of just 75 g.
While other brands use rhodium-plated brass movements, FP Journe has always sought an arduous route to movement creation. The brand is synonymous with gold movements, a metal that is very soft. When using tools, one careless slip can lead to irreparable damage. However, the benefit of using gold is that it won’t corrode, granting longevity. Aluminium is also soft and, once again, is not susceptible to corrosion, demonstrating FP Journe is willing to embrace obstacles if they deliver benefits for its clients.
Appraising the movement with a loupe reveals matchless finishing. The oscillating weight is unidirectional and adorned with circular Côtes de Genève. The anglage is exemplary with each bevelled edge contrasting with the adjacent bridge surface. The mainplate is embellished with perlage with each pearl perfectly overlapping its neighbour by 50%.
With most watches, the rate is altered using an index-regulated system. Moving the index, towards or away from the stud, alters the effective length of the hairspring, making the watch run faster or slower. However, the Calibre FPJ 1300-3 is fitted with a free-sprung balance, a form of regulation where the length of the hairspring is fixed and the rate is altered by moving inertia weights fitted to the balance wheel. The free-sprung balance provides superior precision and should the watch be subject to a shock, it is less likely to need remedial regulation.
The frequency of the balance is 21,600 vph (3 Hz). The movement contains 40 jewels and the power reserve is sufficient to deliver 160 hours of autonomy (± 10 hours).
FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium – closing thoughts
The FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium sports a contemporary vivid yellow dial with cheery red highlights. The chosen palette would befit a liveried race car. This flamboyance may dissuade some conservative souls from selecting this model; however, personally speaking, I adore its flamboyance. Moreover, those would-be buyers seeking more restraint are well served by the Maison’s conservatively styled offerings.
While FP Journe has crafted a supremely stylish watch it has not done so at the expense of practicality. Despite the boldness of the dial, all indications are simple to read. The large date display is a paragon of lucidity and the power-reserve indicator also proves useful.
The Grade 5 titanium case plays a deferential role to the prima ballerina yellow dial. Its anthracite tones are muted, allowing the dial to shine. The rubber inserts imbue the watch with a casual appearance, making it the ideal accompaniment to a jeans and polo shirt ensemble.
While the rubber confers a refreshing informality, the movement remains an exemplar of horological rectitude. Every element is virtuous with no shortcuts visible. The free-sprung balance, the aluminium movement and the exacting finishing distinguish this watch as extraordinary.
Sadly, there are many examples in life where skills have been lost, where items are ‘dumbed-down’ or cynically ‘lifed’, annoyingly intended to fail at a future point. Our language, the food we eat and the electronic ‘gizmos’ we are meant to crave, fulfil an immediate need rather than sustaining our souls or enriching our lives.
Thankfully, there is another way. With the FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium, the Swiss firm shows that nothing has been made speedily or produced without due care. Everything is created for discerning clients who appreciate the work of talented artisans. Indeed, FP Journe, once again, demonstrates that its atelier is a bastion of excellence where the air is rich with creativity and perfection pervades all areas of the organisation. Long shall its reign continue.
Further reading
Technical specifications
- Model: FP Journe Octa Sport Titanium
- Case: Titanium Grade 5 with rubber inserts; diameter 44 mm; height 11 mm; sapphire crystal to front and caseback.
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds; day/night indicator; power-reserve indicator; large-date display
- Movement: Calibre FPJ 1300-3; automatic movement; frequency 21,600 vph (3 Hz); 40 jewels; power reserve = 160 hours ± 10 hours
- Bracelet: Titanium Grade 5 with rubber inserts
- Price on application