This is an early example of the F. P. Journe Octa Rserve de Marche* featuring a brass example of the watchmakers first self-winding movement, the calibre 1300. A 38mm rose gold case, with a white gold dial on which the off-centre time display is laid out on a whitened silver base. The centre of the time display features Clous de Paris. The watch features a double wheel date display and a marine chronometre-style power reserve indicator. It has been freshly serviced by the brand.

The Octa Rserve de Marche (or Octa Automatique), first revealed in 2001, was only the third watch from Franois-Paul Journes eponymous independent brand. Of these, it was the first to feature a self-winding calibre. This is an early example of the reference, produced between 2001 and 2005, as evidenced by its brass movement the brand would later move to solid gold iterations of the calibre 1300.

This example features a rose gold case in the attractive 38mm size that was produced for a relatively finite period. It features a three-part construction the domed bezel meets a flat midcase. The rim around the display caseback has a rounded profile and is polished. On it are engraved details such as the brand mark and motto, precious metal hallmarks, serial number and the name of the line. The caseback is secured by the brands proprietary holt screws. The midcase is home to the three-position crown with the rope-style knurling that is the brands signature. The lugs issue fluidly from the midcase. Their short length and the angle at which they curve down make the watch that much more compact and comfortable on the wrist. The 20mm distance between the lugs is bridged by a fresh, curved-end brown alligator-grained leather strap secured by a signed rose gold pin buckle.

The dial shows the watchmakers mastery balancing positive and negative space. Across the frosted white gold dial are islands of information. On the right, as is ergonomically appropriate, lies the time display. It is set on a silver base screwed on to the dial. This whitened display features a printed chapter of Arabic minutes at intervals of five, followed by a chemin de fer track to accurately read the moments in between. Further in lies the Arabic hours. The innermost portion wears a hobnail pattern. Between 5 and 7 oclock, lies the subsidiary seconds register with a chemin de fer scale. The signature feuille-style hour and minutes hands are heat blued, as is the simple seconds pointer.

To the left of the time display is the arc of the 120-hour, up-down, marine chronometer style rserve de marche it expresses hours since the movement was last fully wound. Just north of it, nestled between the power reserve and the time display is the window of the twin-wheel date display. It is set by pulling the crown out to the second position. The brand mark and motto lie beneath the power reserve display.

The brass calibre 1300 is finely adorned with Ctes de Genve applied on all bridges in concentric circles that line up perfectly. The bridges feature anglage while the jewels and black polished screws have mirror-polished countersinks. The baseplate is adorned with perlage. Engraved in gold on the central bridge are details such as the five position the watch is adjusted to and it's precision chronometer-grade timekeeping.

The free sprung balance interacts with an in-line, lever escapement. Topping the bridges is the off-centre, bi-directional winding 22k gold winding rotor finished in a barleycorn pattern with the brand mark and motto.

This example, which has been recently serviced by the brand, comes with outer and inner boxes as well as the warranty documentation from when it was first retailed in 2003. It is attractive as it is precious, owing not just to its early provenance but also due to its more classical sizing.

Closer look

Condition

This F. P. Journe Octa Rserve de Marche is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show very light signs of wear, on close inspection, light superficial marks are present. The guilloch and hobnail features on the time display show signs of age and warmth over time. The hallmarks and engravings on the caseback and buckle are crisp and well defined. In 12/2021, the watch received a service by Montres Journe in Switzerland.

Warranty

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