F.P. Journe - The 2021 New York Watch Auction New York Saturday, December 11, 2021 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2006
    Case No: 095/150-Z
    Model Name: Octa Zodiaque
    Material: Platinum
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1300, 28 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Crocodile
    Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P. Journe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by original Certificate and warranty dated 28 June 2006, original purchase receipt, additional exotic strap, polishing cloth, instruction manual, inner and outer presentation boxes.

  • Catalogue Essay

    One of the most unusual of Francois-Paul Journe’s creations, the Octa Zodiaque was produced in a limited series of 150 pieces between 2004 and 2007. Cased in platinum with the rare brass Octa automatic movement, it was the first 40mm Journe to have central hour and minute hands. It still bears the characteristic power reserve indicator, oversized date display, and subsidiary seconds typical and beloved of the Octa series. The outer portion with the month and zodiac sign rotates incrementally each day, so that the month and corresponding zodiac sign is always indicated at the twelve o’clock position. Interestingly, the months are displayed in Latin, while the zodiac signs are in English.

    While some of us may consider astrology as a frivolous pasttime, the signs of the zodiac have been displayed on the most prestigious and complicated watches of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, including Patek Philippe’s Caliber 89. Modern complicated wristwatches rarely, if ever, display the signs of the zodiac, making this reference even more unique across the broader catalogue of contemporary wristwatches.

    François-Paul Journe himself was born on 22 March 1957 in Marseilles, France, making him an Aries Sun, Cancer Rising, and Sagittarius Moon. Aries are known to be courageous, competitive, decisive, independent, and oftentimes, impulsive. One popular astrology website characterizes them as “pushing things forward with energy and enthusiasm and persever[ing] through anything”. Aries is a fire sign, ruled by Mars, the red planet named for the god of war. Notable Aries include Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Maya Angelou, Elton John, and Robert Downey, Jr.

    The present Octa Zodiaque is offered in excellent overall condition, from a prestigious original owner collection, accompanied by all of its original accessories.

    PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER

  • 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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Σ98

An unusual and compelling limited edition platinum wristwatch with date and month indicator, power reserve, and rotating zodiac display, with certificate and presentation box

2006
40mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$60,000 - 120,000 
CHF55,500-111,000
€53,200-106,000
HK$468,000-936,000

Sold for $170,100

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