F.P.Journe Octa Automatique 20th Anniversary Limited Edition
This year, the F.P.Journe Octa Automatique celebrates its 20th Anniversary and the prestigious Maison has chosen to mark the event with a limited edition of 99 pieces. These new watches share much in common with the inaugural model of 2001, save for a few additional refinements.
In 2001, shortly after moving to the company’s new Manufacture on the corner of Rue de la Synagogue and Rue de l’Arquebuse, F.P.Journe created its first Octa calibre, a self-winding movement with a prodigious power reserve in excess of 120 hours.
The movement, the Calibre 1300, initially appeared in the Octa Réserve de Marche, a timepiece featuring an off-centre hour and minute display with a small seconds indication positioned below. Other details included an arcing power-reserve indicator, dominating the left side of the dial, and a large date display positioned towards the top of the dial. Monsieur Journe cleverly played with proportions, breaking with accepted norms, creating a wholly original composition while at the same time delivering a harmonious mien. It is a perfect illustration of Journe’s remarkable sensitivity for aesthetics and showcases his extraordinary design prowess.
Cleverly, when Journe conceived the Calibre 1300 he made provision for additional complications to be added. The resultant movements found within all Octa models share the same diameter and height. The complications included a chronograph with a large date, a calendar watch as well as the remarkable Octa Zodiaque. Unlike some of Journe’s creations which now feature gold movements, the Calibre 1300 was presented in rhodium-plated brass.
Now, the esteemed Manufacture, celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Octa automatic movement, has released a limited series of 99 pieces, sharing much in common with the 2001 release. The F.P.Journe Octa Automatique 20th Anniversary Limited Edition is housed in a platinum case, just like the original model of 2001. Likewise, the watch features an 18-carat yellow gold dial, again, in common with the inaugural reference.
The topography of the dial is identical and the movement, now the Calibre 1300.3, upholds the Maison’s reputation for peerless finishing. Moreover, the mainplate and bridges are rhodium plated brass as per the 2001 model. Presented in a 40mm case, it is a tad larger than its forebear of 2001 which was housed in a 38mm case. The brand has also announced it plans to release additional case variants in due course.
Journe is an aesthete and, in my opinion, he is the Breguet of his generation. His watches are not only beautiful, but they are also technically brilliant. This son of Marseille has refined the occasional element over the years as he continues to strive for absolute perfection. For example, the oscillating mass is no longer bidirectional but unidirectional, allowing the rotor to spin rapidly and thereby tension the mainspring with extraordinary alacrity.
I cannot hide my admiration for this Manufacture, however, I am not alone. Today, more than ever before, watch aficionados recognise Journe’s brilliance with pre-owned models attracting much interest. Indeed, Journe and his eponymous company, are the darlings of the auction world with some references selling for eye-watering sums.
Put simply, this genius watchmaker should be celebrated and a good place to start is with the F.P.Journe Octa Automatique 20th Anniversary Limited Edition, a must-have for any connoisseur.
The brand’s press release
The presentation of the Octa automatic movement in 2001 has marked a turning point and proved that the watchmaking revolution of the 21st century was underway. Efficient in all respects, it has undergone only three evolutions during its 20 years of operation. The most recent one concerns the winding automation system. It has moved from bi-directional to unidirectional winding, which is more efficient to guarantee the rapid tensioning of the long spring of the barrel.
For François-Paul Journe, since the launch and minimal modifications, the Octa has proven its precision and endurance and as he states: “The Octa is an accomplished movement that requires no further modification due to its almost unreal performance”.
To celebrate its 20th anniversary, F.P.Journe presents the Automatique in a limited series of 99 pieces, with, for those nostalgic of the early years, a case in Platinum of 40 mm powered with the calibre 1300.3 in rhodium-plated Brass, and a satin-finished dial in yellow Gold, similar to those produced in 2001 when François-Paul finished them by hand.
The power reserve indicator has been moved down slightly to leave more space for the enlarged date, displayed in a window now measuring 4.7 x 2.6 mm for easier legibility. The numerals of the hour and minute dial have also been enlarged. Only one slight aesthetical modification has been made to the movement, now decorated with openwork bridges; this will be a feature as of 2021 on all 1300.3 calibres.
This Limited Series will be available at the 10 F.P.Journe Boutiques and Espaces. The Automatique will later join the current collection with a 40 or 42 mm case in Platinum or 18K 6N Gold, and a dial in Gold and guilloché Silver.
François-Paul Journe has first given life to unique, then to small quantities of rare timepieces, and subsequently imagined and launched in 2001, a collection of watches in which the perfection of the automatic calibre called Octa, became an obvious attribute in a world where everything is in perpetual motion. He has thus perfectly materialized this obsession that embodies the lifelong obsession of mechanical geniuses to produce a perpetual movement.
Undoubtedly, the Octa collection is the signature of the perfection of a style imbued with the vision of the Masters of Enlightenment, of which François-Paul is the heir of the intellectual approach of the profession and its relation to the object. It is a central element of a watchmaking line with a strong sense of meaning for a Manufacture attached to sound values of authenticity, rarity and precision, in the respect of horological traditions, to become a lasting part of the future.
Further reading