OCTA AUTOMATIQUE MODEL, CASE NO. 054-AN, CIRCA 2023

The Octa Automatique represents the modern evolution of F.P. Journe’s celebrated Octa Réserve de Marche, one of the foundational creations of the manufacture. The Octa Réserve de Marche was F.P. Journe’s first automatic wristwatch and was distinguished by its remarkable self-winding movement offering a power reserve of over 120 hours. It was the third model introduced under François-Paul Journe’s own name, following the Tourbillon Souverain and the Chronomètre à Résonance.

The earliest examples were housed in 38 mm. cases and powered by movements constructed with brass baseplates and bridges. In 2004, François-Paul Journe introduced movements with baseplates and bridges crafted from solid 18k pink gold, an important evolution that would become one of the defining signatures of the manufacture and remains characteristic of F.P. Journe watches today.

The present Octa Automatique subtly revisits the aesthetic language of the original Octa. Most notably, the numerals at 5 and 7 o’clock found on the Octa Réserve de Marche have been omitted, while the subsidiary seconds display has been enlarged. These details pay direct homage to the original Octa prototype of 2000, elegantly connecting the contemporary model with the earliest chapter of F.P. Journe’s automatic watchmaking.