This F. P. Journe Octa Lune* is one of the earliest examples of the line, released in the first year of production in 2004. It features an attractive 38mm platinum case, white gold dial and the brass calibre 1300, the first self-winding movement from the brand. This example comes with a certificate of authenticity issued retrospectively, stating the watch was originally delivered to Switzerland.

The Octa movement was introduced in 2001, becoming the third ever calibre developed by Franois-Paul Journe, following the Tourbillon Souverain and the Chronomtre Rsonance. It was also the first automatic movement from the brand, which was designed to accommodate a range of complications. The Octa Rserve de Marche and the Octa Lune were the first to be released with this self-winding calibre.

F. P. Journe introduced the Octa Lune two years after the movement was first developed. It was produced between 2004 and 2015, with fewer than 800 examples understood to have left the manufacture in this period. Initially the self-winding calibre 1300 that powers the Octa Lune was made in brass, before the brand transitioned to crafting it from rose gold. This change is understood to have occurred in 2004. This makes the brands watches featuring brass movements a marker of early provenance and finite production. This early example from 2004 as evidenced by the certificate of origin it comes with, would then have been one of the first examples of this reference.

The Octa Lunebuilds on the aesthetic cues cemented by the Tourbillon Souverain and the Chronomtre Rsonance. The dial design shows a mastery of asymmetric design and negative space to create more of an impact, rather than less.Across a white gold base, the off-centre time display constructed on a whitened silver base is concentrated on the right. It features a textured inner sector followed by an Arabic chapter in the brands proprietary and signature font. A chemin de fer track of minutes follows, with an Arabic chapter at intervals of five. The smaller seconds overlaps this time display and has a sector-style layout. The feille-style hours and minutes hands are heat-blued, as is the seconds indicator and the one plying the up-down, marine chronometre style reserve indicator at 9. Across a 120-hour scale, it displays the time elapsed since the movement was fully wound by the rotor.

The twin wheel date window lies just south of 12 oclock while at 7 lies the moonphase display with the words "Phases de Lune following the trajectory of the register. The display features a lustrous moon in a starry, ink-blue sky.

The platinum case is in the desirable 38mm size and stands 10.5mm tall. Owing to the short lugs, it is compact and comfortable on the wrist. The bezel is rounded and meets the flat midcase in a lip. A similar detail marks the point where the exhibition caseback comes to the midcase. The lugs, equal in scale to the width of the midcase, flow almost organically from it. They curve sharply, creating the compact footprint we were referring to. The rope-style knurled crown, a well-established brand design cue completes the picture.

Theself-windingcalibre 1300 is on display through the sapphire caseback. It is topped by a 22k rose gold bi-directionally winding rotor that sits marginally off-centre.

The rotor is adorned with a barley corn pattern with the brand mark etched on it. The bridges wear Ctes de Genveand the edges feature anglage. The calibre has 32 jewels and a straight-line lever escapement that works with a monometallic four-arm balance with four timing weights. The movement is adjusted to five positions.

This example, which comes furnished with a certificate of origin from the brand issued retrospectively, has many qualities that make it desirable within the world collectible F. P. Journe. Its 38mm platinum case is elegantly proportioned while its brass self-winding calibre is historically important within the oeuvre of one of the 21st centurys most important watchmakers.

Closer look

Condition

This F. P. Journe Octa Automatique Lune is in very good overall condition. The case and lugs show light signs of wear and superficial marks, specifically on the bezel. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections and have been well preserved. On the caseback and buckle, the hallmarks and engravings remain crisp and well defined.

Warranty

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