Introducing the F.P. Journe Octa Automatique 20th Anniversary Limited Edition

The Low-Down

2021 heralds 20 years since the introduction of the self-winding Octa movement. To celebrate the brand has produced 99 pieces of the Automatique in platinum featuring the calibre 1300.3 in rhodium-plated brass.

This a watch that really will appeal to true fans of the brand and is exactly what lovers of the early and highly-coveted FPJs will love. Aesthetically the watch looks back to the early watches with a satin-finished gold dial, that has a silver guilloche sub dial, power reserve and large date. The platinum case has been given an extra 2mm from the original 38mm watches. The hands are blued steel and the dial is signed with the brands motto, ‘Invenit et Fecit’; Latin for ‘Invented and Made’. In many ways a heritage piece, this celebration of the original automatic watches is a superb looking watch that will be available in the ten FP Journe boutiques and espaces.

The Octa Reserve de Marche from 2001
The Octa Reserve de Marche from 2001

IMHO

Prior to 2001, Journe had produced only manual wind watches and so the launch of the house’s first automatic movement was big news. Monsieur Journe has been so happy with it that it has only had three changes over its two-decade lifespan, the most recent being a change of the rotor from bi-directional to uni-direction to improve the efficiency of tensioning of the long spring of the barrel. The watch actually boasts a 160-hour power reserve, but that is limited to 120 hours to improve stability.

In tribute to the early pieces, the watch has a brass main plate and bridges which are rhodium-plated and a 22kt gold rotor. The movement finishing is, as one would expect, of the very highest standard with graining on the base plate, circular Côtes de Genève on the bridges and golden engravings. And as one would expect it’s a movement that François-Paul Journe is rightly proud of and believes has proven its place: “The Octa is an accomplished movement that requires no further modification due to its almost unreal performance”.

Tech Specs

Movement: F.P.Journe automatic calibre 1300.3 in rhodied Brass; rotor in 22K 5N Gold, off centre and guilloche; Monodirectional winding
Case and dial: 40mm platinum 950 case;Yellow gold dial with large date, power reserve and sub dial hours, minutes and small seconds.
Strap: Leather strap
Availability: 99 pieces at JP Journe boutiques; CHF 56,000

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