F.P. Journe - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2003
    Case No: 001-03L
    Model Name: Octa Lune “Number One”
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1300, 30 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum and 18K white gold F.P. Journe deployant clasp
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe warranty card, instruction manual, polishing cloth, inner and outer presentation box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Highly sought after for their signature aesthetic and distinctiveness, Journe’s earliest timepieces produced from 1999 to 2004 would use rhodium-plated brass movements. Before switching to full rose gold movements in 2004, it’s believed only approximately 2000 Journe timepieces were made with brass movements across all models. Octa models were initially offered in either platinum or 18 karat rose gold with a superbly-proportioned, 38 mm case diameter. Inside ticks Journe’s innovative, in-house caliber 1300 featuring an offset 22K winding rotor, and a high-quality, free sprung escapement oscillating at a classic 21,600 beats per hour. A precision chronometer as indicated on the movement’s engraved bridge, it was the first self-winding movement to provide 120 hours of power reserve.

    The Octa Lune was launched in 2003 and won the “Best Men’s Watch” award, in the same year, at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) - the most prestigious award ceremony in the watch industry. The moonphase on the left-hand side of the dial, offers a balance to the offset subdial displaying the hour and minute. If you look carefully, the actual moon aperture is poetically crafted in the shape of a crescent moon itself, rotated 90 degrees horizontally.

    Phillips is honored and proud to offer the present example with serial number 001, discovered during Phillips’ multi-city world tour exhibition of the F.P.Journe Souscription set of five watches with serial number 001 offered in Phillips’ The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV sale in November 2021. Bearing serial number 001-03L, it is most likely the very first Octa Lune produced by F.P.Journe.

    During the very last hour of the final day of the exhibition at the F.P.Journe Boutique Los Angeles, an eagle-eyed Boutique staff member spotted the present watch on the wrist of a collector, as he too was wearing the identical model with pink gold dial. Realizing the rarity as only 28 examples in this configuration were produced, the discreet owner casually remarked to the staff member that his has a special serial number, 001, matching the serial numbers of the five Souscription watches on display.

    Having the sixth original Octa model with the prestigious number 001 serial number appear, everyone present at the exhibition was elated. After years of ownership and seldom wear, the owner decided it was the right time to let another collector enjoy this historically important timepiece.

  • Artist Biography

    F.P. Journe

    Swiss • 1999

    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.

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Σ54

A fantastically well-preserved, extremely early, and historically important platinum automatic wristwatch with pink gold dial, power reserve, and moonphase, accompanied by warranty card and presentation box, bearing serial number 001

2003
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and clasp signed.

Estimate
$60,000 - 120,000 
CHF56,000-112,000
€53,500-107,000
HK$468,000-936,000

Sold for $378,000

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros

Head of Watches, Americas

+1 (212) 940-1293

WatchesNY@Phillips.com

 

The 2021 New York Watch Auction

New York Auction 11 - 12 December 2021