The Octa Réserve de Marche was the first automatic movement developed and produced by François-Paul Journe. What the watchmaker aspired to do was to create a base calibre that could hold all kinds of complications, without gaining a fraction of a millimetre in thickness or width. He succeeded in this, hence why the movements in the Octa line, from the Octa Chronographe to the Octa Calendrier, share the same dimensions, no matter what complication they hold. That base caliber birthed a whole collection of complicated watches, which endure to this day.
 
The first step in this journey was the Octa Réserve de Marche, introduced in 2001. Only two years after establishing his own eponymous brand, this was the third watch released by François-Paul Journe, following the Tourbillon Souverain and the Chronomètre à Résonance. Combined, these three models represent the watchmaker's earliest brushstrokes and the foundation for the brand he would build over the following decades.
 
While earlier examples featured dials that were more susceptible to oxidation, later examples benefited from progressively upgraded materials and processes. This example is proof of that progress, its rose dial, built on a base rose gold, still much like the day it was first retailed in 2007. It features a twin-disk date aperture, with half the dial given to the 120-hour reserve display and the other half displaying the time. Running on the outer reaches of the primary register is a printed black chapter of Arabic minutes followed by a chemin de fer track. Further inside is the Arabic hours chapter with a clous de Paris centre. The feuille hands are heat blued, as is the seconds hand in the subsidiary seconds register. Both subdials feature tightly packed concentric rings, finished in a perlescent white. 
 
The words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ are inscribed below the power reserve (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. 
 
In 2004, Journe switched from brass to manufacturing movements from 18k gold, having developed the brand sufficiently to further the manufacturing process. This self-winding F.P. Journe calibre 1300.3 movement is forged from 18k 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-centre bi-directional 22-carat rose gold guilloche rotor. The movement is engraved "Exclusive Power Reserve System" and "Precision Chronometer".

Closer look

Condition

This F. P. Journe Octa Réserve De Marche is in very good condition throughout. The case and lugs show signs of relative wear over time. More specifically, a light graze is present only on the very surface of the midcase below the crown at the 4 o'clock position. The bezel shows very light marks throughout and is only visible under close inspection. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfection. The hallmarks on the caseback and deployant clasp are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.