Manufacturer: F.P. Journe Year: 2004 Case No: 043/150 Z Model Name: Octa Zodiaque Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1300 Bracelet/Strap: Alligator Clasp/Buckle: Platinum, FP Journe deployant clasp Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and clasp signed Accessories: Accompanied by fitted box, outer packaging, Certificate, instruction manual, polishing cloth and service papers Literature: Francois-Paul Journe and his works are featured in F.P. Journe Invenit et Fecit by Jean-Pierre Grosz
Catalogue Essay
With the Octa Zodiac, F.P. Journe found an incredibly inventive method of creating a timepiece that indicates the date and the month, the former indicated via an aperture between 11 and 12 o’clock whereas the month, along with the sign of the zodiac are printed on a disc that jumps one increment at each 24 hour period.
The Octa Zodiac was made between 2003 and 2005 in a limited edition of only 150 pieces in platinum. It was also FP Journe’s first gentelman’s wriswatch to feature central hands.
Interestingly the watch is one of the extremely rare models to feature a 40mm case with a brass movement (instead of pink gold movement).
As with all Journe timepieces the complexity of the movement is offset by the ease of use as all functions are set via the crown.
Unlike many of Journe’s limited edition pieces the Octa Zodiac never existed in a different version in a non-limited edition underlying its ultimate rarity.
In superb condition the present watch is offered by the original owner and comes full set, it came back from Journe servicing in June 2019 with a warranty still running until June 2020.
The present timepiece is a must have for the Journe collector as it is one of Journe’s rarest and unusual creations.
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.