The history
The earliest works of François-Paul Journe, effortlessly blend traditional 19th-century watchmaking with modern haute-horology. The Octa movement was introduced in 2001, becoming only the third developed by brand (after the Tourbillion and Resonance) and the first automatic mechanism to deliver 120 hours of precision timekeeping, through reserved-power.
A year later, the Octa Réserve de Marche became F.P. Journe’s first automatic watch, produced between 2002 and 2014, with an estimated total number of only 700-800 cases known. During this time, the overall layout saw no real change except for dial texture and colours, thus making this 38 mm F.P. Journe Octa Automatique Réserve de Marche one of a limited number of examples that represent the original, inspired design. Furthermore, the classical 38 mm case is - sadly - no longer in production, making it even more coveted by collectors.
The movement
While this piece is undeniably attractive, it is the movement that F.P. Journe is famed for. Since the introduction of the first Reserve de Marche in 2001, mechanical F. P Journe examples can be divided into two main movement types – the manually-wound Souverain and automatic Octa (Latin for "eight" or "infinite"). Each Octa movement is designed to incorporate fully-integrated complications within the same volume. Impressively, all variations within F. P Journe’s entire Octa collection are identical, both in diameter and thickness.
In 2004, Journe switched to manufacturing movements from 18-carat gold, having developed the brand sufficiently to further the manufacturing process and move away from brass. With this introduction, all existing movements were issued with new caliber codes. In the case of the Octa Series, this caliber was referred to as 1300-2; indicating the second version of the movement. It’s believed that very few 1300-2 movements were made, during a short transitional period - consequently, making these rarer than many of the first generation brass-movement pieces. You can read more about this in the The Journe Guy’s in-depth study.
This self-winding F.P. Journe caliber 1300 movement is 18-carat rose gold, with Côtes de Genève embellishments, constructed with 32 jewels and a shock absorber mechanism. It further features a straight-line lever escapement, and monometallic 4-arm balance with 4 timing weights, adjusted to 5 positions. It includes a self-compensating free-sprung flat balance spring and off-center bi-directional 22-carat gold guilloche rotor. The movement is engraved "Exclusive Power Reserve System" and "Precision Chronometer".
The design
The Octa Réserve de Marche is quintessentially an F.P Journe, in both its design language and movement. Housed in a classic 38mm case, it is made distinctive by a number of signature elements throughout. The dial is delicately textured, and displays a separate silver guilloché dial for the hours and minutes. The words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ are inscribed below the tourbillon (Latin for ‘Invented and Made’ or more literally 'Designed and built by F.P. Journe') in classic F.P. Journe style - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago. At nine o’clock, a power reserve indicator of 120 hours is also shown.
The set
This 38mm platinum F. P. Journe Octa Réserve de Marche watch is in excellent condition, fitted to our Cairo straps with curved-ends, measuring 20 x 19mm. The set also includes the original inner- and outer boxes, the manufacture's guarantee card and the alligator strap from F. P. Journe.
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