.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
.jpg?w=1)
Lot Essay
This fantastic early Octa Réserve de Marche with extremely rare first generation brass movement has also perhaps the most visually attractive colour combination of pink gold case and grey dial to be produced for the early Réserve de Marche model. Research suggests that only approx 25% of the early brass movement production was made of gold, platinum being the more popular choice at the time. As a result, gold cased F.P. Journe brass movement models are very rare.
The present Octa Réserve de Marche no. 071-01A was made in 2001, the same year that the model was launched. Excitingly for collectors, this low serial number watch displays traits unique to early watches made by Francois-Paul Journe. In particular, the movement features straight Côtes de Genève, found only on the earliest Octa movements, instead of the circular ‘Côtes circulaires’ decorating later examples. It is thought that fewer than 100 examples of the Octa Réserve de Marche, including the prototype, exist with straight Cotes de Genève movement decoration. Only 8 pieces of the same precise configuration as the present watch were produced in 2001.
The Octa Réserve de Marche has the distinction of being the first automatic model developed by F.P. Journe and the first mechanical movement with automatic winding to have a power reserve of over 120 hours.
F.P. Journe Brass Movements
In 2004, François-Paul Journe famously introduced the splendid movement calibers with baseplates and bridges made from solid 18 carat gold which have since become a ‘signature’ feature of almost all F.P. Journe watches to the present day. However, the timepieces manufactured before 2004 were fitted with brass movements finished with rhodium plating, there were also some special limited edition models made with ruthenium plated brass movements. Paradoxically, it is these early production and pre-production watches with brass movements that collectors have focused their attention and research. It is thought that between 2001 and 2004, only approximately 2000 brass movement watches were ever produced across all models. With the tremendous and continually growing interest in François-Paul Journe’s work, these early brass movement watches, a hugely important part of F.P. Journe’s history, are incredibly sought after and consequently are becoming ever more difficult to obtain.
The present Octa Réserve de Marche no. 071-01A was made in 2001, the same year that the model was launched. Excitingly for collectors, this low serial number watch displays traits unique to early watches made by Francois-Paul Journe. In particular, the movement features straight Côtes de Genève, found only on the earliest Octa movements, instead of the circular ‘Côtes circulaires’ decorating later examples. It is thought that fewer than 100 examples of the Octa Réserve de Marche, including the prototype, exist with straight Cotes de Genève movement decoration. Only 8 pieces of the same precise configuration as the present watch were produced in 2001.
The Octa Réserve de Marche has the distinction of being the first automatic model developed by F.P. Journe and the first mechanical movement with automatic winding to have a power reserve of over 120 hours.
F.P. Journe Brass Movements
In 2004, François-Paul Journe famously introduced the splendid movement calibers with baseplates and bridges made from solid 18 carat gold which have since become a ‘signature’ feature of almost all F.P. Journe watches to the present day. However, the timepieces manufactured before 2004 were fitted with brass movements finished with rhodium plating, there were also some special limited edition models made with ruthenium plated brass movements. Paradoxically, it is these early production and pre-production watches with brass movements that collectors have focused their attention and research. It is thought that between 2001 and 2004, only approximately 2000 brass movement watches were ever produced across all models. With the tremendous and continually growing interest in François-Paul Journe’s work, these early brass movement watches, a hugely important part of F.P. Journe’s history, are incredibly sought after and consequently are becoming ever more difficult to obtain.