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 brand (after the and ) and the first automatic mechanismto deliver 120 hours of precision timekeeping, through reserved-power.

A year later, the Octa Rserve de Marche became F.P. Journes first automatic watch, produced between 2002 and 2014, with an estimated total number of only 700-800 cases known. During this time, the overall layoutsaw no real change except for dial texture and colours, thus making this38 mmF.P. Journe Octa Automatique Rserve de Marche oneof a limited number of examplesthat represent theoriginal, 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 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.

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. Its 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 about this in the in-depth study.

This self-winding F.P. Journe caliber 1300 movement is 18-carat rose gold, with Ctes de Genve 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 Rserve de Marcheis 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 elementsthroughout. The dial is delicately textured, and displays a separate silver guilloch 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 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 38mm platinum Octa Rserve de Marchewatch is in excellent condition, fitted to ourstraps with curved-ends, measuring . 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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Closer look