This 40mm Octa Automatique Lune AL2 is the latest incarnation of F.P. Journes moonphase display, housing the 1300-3 calibre.Released in 2019, the Octa Automatique AL2 preserves the distinctive style of the first AL model, while managing to be recognisably different; featuring a larger dial and date display than its predecessor, and subtle blue font seldom seen throughout the collection.

The history

The earliest works of , effortlessly blend traditional 19th-century watchmaking with modern haute-horology. The Octamovementwas introduced in 2001, becoming only the third developed by the brand (after the and ) and the first automatic mechanismto deliver 120 hours of precision timekeeping, through reserved-power.

Two years later, the very first Octa Lune won the Favourite Mens Watch award at the Grand Prix dHorlogerie de Genve (GPHG) - the most prestigious award ceremony in the watch industry.

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 Marchein 2001, mechanical F. P Journe examples canbe divided into two main movement types the manually-wound Souverainand 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 Journes entire Octa collection are identical, both in diameter and thickness.

This self-winding F.P. Journe caliber 1300.3 movement is 18-carat rose gold, with Ctes de Genve, constructed with 36 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 uni-directional 22-carat guilloche rotor. The movement is engraved "Exclusive Power Reserve System" and "Precision Chronometer".

The design

The Octa Automatique Luneis quintessentially an F.P Journe, in both its design language and movement. Housed in a contemporary 40mm case, it is made distinctive by a number of signature elementsthroughout. The combination of the guilloche Clou de Parisdial and printed numerals is rather unusual, featured most notably on the Rptition Souverain and Resonance RTA.The dial also features an enlarged date and moonphase display, for enhanced readability.

The words Invenit et Fecit are inscribed at 3 o'clock (Latin for Invented and Made or more literally 'Designed and built by F.P. Journe') in classicF.P. Journestyle - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago. At nine oclock, a power reserve indicator of 120 hours is also shown.

Theset

This 40mmOcta Automatique Lunecomes with an original F.P Journealligator strap, in addition to a bespoke with curved ends (measuring ) and corresponding platinum buckle. It's also accompanied by the original F.P.Journe warranty card.

Viewings are currently suspended for the time being.

Closer look