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Lot Essay
One of F.P. Journe’s most awesome recent releases and also one of the least known, this fantastic platinum Octa Réserve de Marche from a limited edition of 99 pieces was made in 2021 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the launch of the ‘Octa’ automatic caliber, an extremely important milestone for the brand. The most exciting aspect for the Journe enthusiast is that it pays homage to the early ‘Octa’ models and prototypes including, for the first time since 2004, a rhodium plated brass movement. Ultra-exclusive and almost impossible to obtain, the entire edition of 99 pieces was allocated immediately to important clients of the brand, naturally including the owner of the OAK Collection.
Presented in immaculate mint condition, this 20th Anniversary Automatique Limited Edition, is a remarkable tribute to the Octa series and a dream find even for the most seasoned of F.P. Journe collectors.
What is most compelling about this limited edition is that it follows very closely the design details of the earliest versions and prototypes of the Octa Réserve de Marche model. Considering the desirability of those early pieces, the launch of this edition with its historical references and immediate charm was an inspired decision. The platinum case is classic Journe with a diameter of 40 mm. However, it is the dial and movement that are particularly enthralling to the Journe afficionado.
The design, finish and construction is directly inspired by the prototype watches and the 2001-2004 series of the Octa Réserve de Marche. The yellow gold dial has the ravishing silken matte finish that seems to change colour as the light plays across its surface resulting in the famous Journe ‘shimmer’ effect so beloved by collectors. Notably, the hour numerals 5 and 7 have been removed in homage to the original 2000 prototype, the subsidiary seconds is also enlarged.
Undoubtedly the most thrilling feature is the use of a rhodium plated brass movement, discontinued in 2004. This contemporary version of Journe’s early brass movement is a third generation Octa caliber 1300.3 with 160 hours of power reserve and a gold rotor.
In 2004, François-Paul Journe famously introduced the splendid movement calibers with baseplates and bridges made from solid 18 carat gold which have since become a ‘signature’ feature of almost all F.P. Journe watches to the present day. However, the timepieces manufactured before 2004 were fitted with brass movements finished with rhodium plating, there were also some special limited edition models made with ruthenium plated brass movements. Paradoxically, it is these early production and pre-production watches with brass movements that collectors have focused their attention and research. It is thought that between 2001 and 2004, only approximately 2000 brass movement watches were ever produced across all models. With the tremendous and continually growing interest in François-Paul Journe’s work, these early brass movement watches, a hugely important part of F.P. Journe’s history, are incredibly sought after and consequently are becoming ever more difficult to obtain.
The present 20th anniversary limited edition Reserve de Marche is the first F.P. Journe watch featuring a brass movement to be made since their discontinuation in 2004.
The Octa Reserve de Marche
Launched in 2001, the Octa Reserve de Marche was the third model introduced by F.P. Journe following the Tourbillon Souverain and Chronomètre à Résonance, most importantly it was the first Journe model to have an automatic movement. Using the entirely new Octa automatic caliber, development of which had begun in 1997, the Octa Reserve de Marche became a cornerstone of the brand for the next 20 years. Approximately around 800 pieces were produced from 2001 to 2014. There are quite a few variations in regards to the texture and colour of the dial, and also in regards to the case diameter, with sizes ranging between either 38 or 40 mm. In 2004, F.P. Journe decided to use 18k pink gold instead of brass for their movements.
In 2021, the present limited edition of 99 pieces in 40mm. platinum cases with brass movements were produced for the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Reserve de Marche automatic.
F.P. JOURNE
François-Paul Journe is now becoming fully appreciated as one of the most inventive and important contributors to modern watchmaking. He is also widely regarded as the greatest living watchmaker. Journe took a long and rigorous path on the way to achieving his aspirations in making his own watch brand to take full advantage of his genius watchmaking talent. After studying at watchmaking school in Paris, he first spent around 10 years mastering the craft of constructing pocket watches. Then in 1992, realising that any commercial future lay in the production of wristwatches, he decided to create his first prototype wristwatch - a watch that was inspired by his first pocket watch creations. That prototype is remarkable in combining a one-minute tourbillon with a remontoir – this was eventually to become known as the ‘Tourbillon Souverain’. Launched in 1999 with the now familiar inscription ‘Invenit et Fecit’, the model remains a mainstay of the collection to this day.
Journe’s original fascination with pocket watches came about due to his early background in the restoration of antique marine chronometers and pocket watches while working for his uncle, an antique clock and watch restorer, in Paris. This, coupled with a deep desire to understand the inventions of the great watchmakers of history, gives his wristwatches their completely distinctive and absolutely unique character. In common with many watchmakers, Journe’s early inspiration was the work and inventions of Abraham-Louis Breguet, perhaps the greatest watchmaker of all time and also that other great French watchmaker of the 18th century, Antide Janvier. Indeed, Journe’s first series of the ‘Tourbillon Souverain’ was made possible by using Breguet’s idea of the ‘Souscription’ watch, whereby the client paid an upfront sum to finance the construction of the watch, the remainder being paid upon its completion.
However, what set François-Paul Journe apart from his contemporaries is his ability to interpret and construct watch movements of incredible complexity, often with unique takes on historic complications, within the confines of a wristwatch. In this regard, his acknowledged inspiration was the work of the great English watchmaker George Daniels. It was Daniels’s writings that first gave Journe the know-how and confidence to construct his own watches. Later, personal encouragement from Daniels helped to establish the Journe style which is now so instantly recognisable.
Presented in immaculate mint condition, this 20th Anniversary Automatique Limited Edition, is a remarkable tribute to the Octa series and a dream find even for the most seasoned of F.P. Journe collectors.
What is most compelling about this limited edition is that it follows very closely the design details of the earliest versions and prototypes of the Octa Réserve de Marche model. Considering the desirability of those early pieces, the launch of this edition with its historical references and immediate charm was an inspired decision. The platinum case is classic Journe with a diameter of 40 mm. However, it is the dial and movement that are particularly enthralling to the Journe afficionado.
The design, finish and construction is directly inspired by the prototype watches and the 2001-2004 series of the Octa Réserve de Marche. The yellow gold dial has the ravishing silken matte finish that seems to change colour as the light plays across its surface resulting in the famous Journe ‘shimmer’ effect so beloved by collectors. Notably, the hour numerals 5 and 7 have been removed in homage to the original 2000 prototype, the subsidiary seconds is also enlarged.
Undoubtedly the most thrilling feature is the use of a rhodium plated brass movement, discontinued in 2004. This contemporary version of Journe’s early brass movement is a third generation Octa caliber 1300.3 with 160 hours of power reserve and a gold rotor.
In 2004, François-Paul Journe famously introduced the splendid movement calibers with baseplates and bridges made from solid 18 carat gold which have since become a ‘signature’ feature of almost all F.P. Journe watches to the present day. However, the timepieces manufactured before 2004 were fitted with brass movements finished with rhodium plating, there were also some special limited edition models made with ruthenium plated brass movements. Paradoxically, it is these early production and pre-production watches with brass movements that collectors have focused their attention and research. It is thought that between 2001 and 2004, only approximately 2000 brass movement watches were ever produced across all models. With the tremendous and continually growing interest in François-Paul Journe’s work, these early brass movement watches, a hugely important part of F.P. Journe’s history, are incredibly sought after and consequently are becoming ever more difficult to obtain.
The present 20th anniversary limited edition Reserve de Marche is the first F.P. Journe watch featuring a brass movement to be made since their discontinuation in 2004.
The Octa Reserve de Marche
Launched in 2001, the Octa Reserve de Marche was the third model introduced by F.P. Journe following the Tourbillon Souverain and Chronomètre à Résonance, most importantly it was the first Journe model to have an automatic movement. Using the entirely new Octa automatic caliber, development of which had begun in 1997, the Octa Reserve de Marche became a cornerstone of the brand for the next 20 years. Approximately around 800 pieces were produced from 2001 to 2014. There are quite a few variations in regards to the texture and colour of the dial, and also in regards to the case diameter, with sizes ranging between either 38 or 40 mm. In 2004, F.P. Journe decided to use 18k pink gold instead of brass for their movements.
In 2021, the present limited edition of 99 pieces in 40mm. platinum cases with brass movements were produced for the 20th anniversary of the launch of the Reserve de Marche automatic.
F.P. JOURNE
François-Paul Journe is now becoming fully appreciated as one of the most inventive and important contributors to modern watchmaking. He is also widely regarded as the greatest living watchmaker. Journe took a long and rigorous path on the way to achieving his aspirations in making his own watch brand to take full advantage of his genius watchmaking talent. After studying at watchmaking school in Paris, he first spent around 10 years mastering the craft of constructing pocket watches. Then in 1992, realising that any commercial future lay in the production of wristwatches, he decided to create his first prototype wristwatch - a watch that was inspired by his first pocket watch creations. That prototype is remarkable in combining a one-minute tourbillon with a remontoir – this was eventually to become known as the ‘Tourbillon Souverain’. Launched in 1999 with the now familiar inscription ‘Invenit et Fecit’, the model remains a mainstay of the collection to this day.
Journe’s original fascination with pocket watches came about due to his early background in the restoration of antique marine chronometers and pocket watches while working for his uncle, an antique clock and watch restorer, in Paris. This, coupled with a deep desire to understand the inventions of the great watchmakers of history, gives his wristwatches their completely distinctive and absolutely unique character. In common with many watchmakers, Journe’s early inspiration was the work and inventions of Abraham-Louis Breguet, perhaps the greatest watchmaker of all time and also that other great French watchmaker of the 18th century, Antide Janvier. Indeed, Journe’s first series of the ‘Tourbillon Souverain’ was made possible by using Breguet’s idea of the ‘Souscription’ watch, whereby the client paid an upfront sum to finance the construction of the watch, the remainder being paid upon its completion.
However, what set François-Paul Journe apart from his contemporaries is his ability to interpret and construct watch movements of incredible complexity, often with unique takes on historic complications, within the confines of a wristwatch. In this regard, his acknowledged inspiration was the work of the great English watchmaker George Daniels. It was Daniels’s writings that first gave Journe the know-how and confidence to construct his own watches. Later, personal encouragement from Daniels helped to establish the Journe style which is now so instantly recognisable.