Manufacturer: F.P. Journe Year: 2020 Case No: 383-AL Model Name: Octa Lune Havane Material: 18k pink gold Calibre: Automatic, cal.1300.3, 40 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold F.P. Journe deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe Carte de Garantie Internationale dated September 01, 2020, wallet, polishing cloth, presentation box and outer packaging.
Catalogue Essay
F.P. Journe presented the Octa collection in 2001. It was at the time, and still remains, a technological feat. The automatic movements had a 120 hour power reserve and the case size remained the same regardless of complications.
In 2007, in response to comments from some of his friends, Journe decided to create a new caliber (Cal 1300.3) for the Octa to optimize winding, even for those with a very sedentary life, whereby even the slightest movement of the arm would put the rotor in motion and wind the watch.
Furthermore, to enhance legibility, François-Paul Journe decided to offer the Octa Automatique and Octa Lune (moon in French), like the present watch, with centrally mounted hands as opposed to previous models who had an offset dial for the indication of time.
The present Octa Lune Havane, with its rich chocolate brown dial was only in production between 2016 and 2018 making it one of the rarest variants. The very original color was a special development of Journe’s own dial makers, les Cadraniers de Genève, and is a mix of gold and ruthenium.
The “Havana brown” dial beautifully contrasts with the rich pink gold case. It is interesting to note that within the Journe collection, watches with a pink gold case are rarer than those with a platinum case.
Founded by watchmaker François-Paul Journe in 1999, the F.P. Journe brand is relatively young, but already is as highly regarded by collectors as many distinguished manufacturers with centuries-old heritage. In the minds of the world's savviest collectors, Journe is producing some of the finest wristwatches the market has ever seen. Mastering his craft from restoring historical timepieces, he was the first to create a wristwatch incorporating two escapements that benefit from the phenomenon of resonance — the Chronomètre à Résonance.
Key models include the Résonance, tourbillon wristwatches incorporating a remontoir and the limited edition Vagabondage series. Especially sought-after are his earliest "souscription" watches, made in 1999.