In the world of independent watchmaking, the 21st century witnessed a boom in talented watchmakers establishing their own, such as F.P. Journe. With an enigmatic vision of innovation, mechanical prowess and fine artisanal craft, F.P. Journe timepieces are executed to the highest level in haute horology in every single class. With an ever growing demand for these extremely well-executed timepieces, the production for these timepieces have always remained limited as each timepiece is finished and assembled by hand.
Introduced in 2003, the Octa collection is the firm’s line of wristwatches all with a common trait of bearing a self-winding caliber. As collectors now learned from vast scholarships of Journe’s timepieces, early creations from the maison were born with rhodium-plated brass movements fitted in 38mm diameter cases, and have become extremely collectible today. Appearing in timepieces from 1999 until 2004 such as the Tourbillon Souverain, Chronomètre à Résonance, Octa Automatic, Octa Chronographe, Octa Lune and Octa Calendrier, it is said that no more than 2,200 brass-based movements were created during that era. Amongst one of these brass creations was the calibre 1300 debuted in the Octa collection Automatic Reserve de Marche. The first two numbers represent the length of the movement in lignes “13” and the latter stands for the year “00”, the calibre was developed. Within the brass movement era, two generation of decoration on the movement can be found. The first generation features straight line Côtes de Genève, and the second generations are finished with a circular Côtes de Genève across the entire movement.
One of the first models introduced in the series featuring an annual calendar complication with retrograde-style dates, a power reserve of more than 120 hours was the Octa Calendrier. Presented in the now iconic asymmetrical dial layout that stands itself apart from annual calendar in the market. During its launch, the Octa Calendrier was available in 38mm diameter: platinum case with the choice of yellow, pink and white gold dials, and pink gold case with pink and white gold dials.
With only a rare hand full of Octa Calendrier fitted with brass movement, the present example is certainly a peculiar sight for Journe collectors. Cased in platinum with a gorgeous yellow gold dial, this annual calendar wristwatch features the early the caliber 1300 that falls into the second generation of the sought after brass era. For connoisseurs, you might notice that the movement seems unusually spacious within the case, by a mere 2mm difference, the present example features an extremely rare 40mm diameter platinum case.
According to F. P. Journe, this odd ball belongs to circa 2005, a transitional period where extra brass movements were available, and were housed in 40mm cases. Bearing a case number 296-Q, this present example is possibly the first one to appear in the auction market with such feats.
With a substantial surge in demand for independent watchmaker timepieces today, F. P. Journe is no doubt a must have timepiece in your collection. Not only is this example now discontinued and features some of the most desirable traits of M. François-Paul’s creation, it has been kept away from the market for 10 years, this is the opportunity for the discerned collector to bring this home.