8010
F.P. Journe
Octa Chronographe, Ruthenium Collection
A highly rare and striking limited edition platinum flyback chronograph wristwatch with date, ruthenium-plated dial, brass movement, numbered 38 of a limited edition of 99 pieces
- Estimate
- HK$700,000 - 1,400,000€80,400 - 161,000$89,700 - 179,000
HK$1,397,000
Lot Details
- Manufacturer
- F.P. Journe
- Year
- 2002
- Case No
- 38/99-02C
- Model Name
- Octa Chronographe, Ruthenium Collection
- Material
- Platinum
- Calibre
- Automatic, cal. 1300, 32 jewels
- Bracelet/Strap
- Leather
- Clasp/Buckle
- Platinum F.P. Journe pin buckle
- Dimensions
- 40mm diameter
- Signed
- Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
- Accessories
- Accompanied by F.P. Journe Authenticity Certificate and service invoice.
Specialist
Catalogue Essay
- Launched in the beginning of F.P. Journe's career, the Octa Chronographe is one of the manufacture's rarest models.
- At the time of launch, it was the very first chronograph wristwatch with automatic movement to feature a large date display and a flyback chronograph with an impressive 120-hour power reserve (a world record for a wristwatch at the time).
- This striking example is part of a limited 99-piece Ruthenium series made in 2002, marking the first time the Octa Chronographe featured a larger 40mm diameter case, deviating from the traditional 38mm size of most of its predecessors, giving it a more modern appeal and wrist presence.
- For the Ruthenium Collection, each brass movement and white gold dial are fully coated in light-absorbing ruthenium. While uncommon in watchmaking, ruthenium is a rare inert metal closely related to the platinum family in the periodic table. It is highly valued in aerospace engineering for its natural resistance to oxidation and exceptional hardness. These dials often exhibit beautiful variations of patina, and in the case of the Ruthenium Collection, the tarnish-free darkness of the ruthenium coating enhances the glimmer of the underlying gold dial.
- Numbered 38 of 99, the present Octa Chronographe is exceptionally well-preserved with its authenticity certificate and has recently been serviced by F.P. Journe. For scholars and collectors, the Octa Chronographe is most certainly one of Journe’s greatest designs.
- At the time of launch, it was the very first chronograph wristwatch with automatic movement to feature a large date display and a flyback chronograph with an impressive 120-hour power reserve (a world record for a wristwatch at the time).
- This striking example is part of a limited 99-piece Ruthenium series made in 2002, marking the first time the Octa Chronographe featured a larger 40mm diameter case, deviating from the traditional 38mm size of most of its predecessors, giving it a more modern appeal and wrist presence.
- For the Ruthenium Collection, each brass movement and white gold dial are fully coated in light-absorbing ruthenium. While uncommon in watchmaking, ruthenium is a rare inert metal closely related to the platinum family in the periodic table. It is highly valued in aerospace engineering for its natural resistance to oxidation and exceptional hardness. These dials often exhibit beautiful variations of patina, and in the case of the Ruthenium Collection, the tarnish-free darkness of the ruthenium coating enhances the glimmer of the underlying gold dial.
- Numbered 38 of 99, the present Octa Chronographe is exceptionally well-preserved with its authenticity certificate and has recently been serviced by F.P. Journe. For scholars and collectors, the Octa Chronographe is most certainly one of Journe’s greatest designs.
F.P. Journe
Swiss | 1999Founded 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.