Manufacturer: F.P. Journe Year: Circa 2000s Case No: 343-D Model Name: Octa Divine Material: 18K pink gold Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1300.3, 36 jewels Bracelet/Strap: Lizard Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold F.P. Journe pin buckle Dimensions: 36mm diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Catalogue Essay
This watch started for me as a way to have a lovely, small FP Journe. It turned into a storied timepiece that eventually crossed my path with Pierre Halimi, CEO of Journe USA and now a dear friend, and the creation of another important FP Journe watch. I wrote up this whole tale, search "SJX, Journe, Mark Cho". - Mark Cho
To the new owners of the watches in the sale: The Armoury will custom-make the winner one of The Armoury’s signature garments as a gift. For further details please visit the link below.
- Rewinding to the turn of the millennium, the Octa Automatique was introduced in 2002 as the emblematic timepiece that marked F.P. Journe’s first versatile and adaptable automatic movement. Though it launched over two decades ago, the Octa family still remains a winning collection for the watch maker today. While only two sizes are available now, namely the 40mm and the 42mm, watches for smaller wrists or a more traditional taste were also offered in 36mm and 38mm before they were removed entirely in 2015.
- Rare and highly sought after, the present Octa Divine is an exotic variant, boasting a cool-grey dial with a contrasting pink gold case that measures 36mm in diameter. The grey toned backdrop is framed by a white hour chapter with an integrated small seconds register at 5 o’clock that brings depth to the otherwise two-dimensional dial. The watch is further equipped with a moonphase, power reserve indicator and large date that balances the layout of the dial.
- Despite its case size, this example is a quiet giant with a large wrist presence. Topped with its signature downturn lugs, this is the ideal unisex option that not only sits comfortably on the wrist but can also slide through any tight sleeve.
- Adhering to F.P. Journe’s golden standards, the movement that drives the present timepiece is fashioned entirely from pink gold with a ball bearing system that offers over 120 hours of autonomy. This update was implemented in 2004 and the watch winds effortlessly with any small wrist movement thanks to its 22K solid gold rotor.
- Beautifully finished and offered in excellent overall condition, the present Octa Divine will certainly please discerning collectors of small F.P. Journe timepieces that are now a sorely missed part of the brand’s history.
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.