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Lot Essay
This rare and highly sought after F.P. Journe Octa Calendrier is one of the early examples of a Journe timepiece made between 2001 and 2004 featuring a rhodium plated brass movement. From 2004 onwards, F.P. Journe’s movements were made from 18k solid gold, a practice that has continued to the present day. As collectors focus more and more upon the genius of F.P. Journe’s timepieces, it has been recognized that watches with the early brass movements, such as the present Octa Calendrier, are important milestones in the brand’s history, consequently they have become highly prized rarities by serious collectors.
François-Paul Journe’s ‘Octa Calendrier’ was produced between 2004 and 2015. Although all the watches of the Octa range were fitted with the same cases, interestingly there were two different case sizes – 38mm and 40mm. The rare 38mm examples such as the present watch are regarded as the size that is most coveted by Journe purists and aficionados.
The name ‘Octa’ was given as a prefix to all F.P. Journe’s automatic watches because in Latin it means ‘eight’ and the figure ‘8’ on its side signifies the concept of limitlessness or infinity.
Octa Calendrier
The Octa Calendrier was François-Paul Journe’s first annual calendar wristwatch and the third complication to be integrated into the Octa automatic calibre series. The integration of an annual retrograde calendar while maintaining the dimensions of the movement was another significant horological achievement. As was the system whereby all the indications are set via the crown, without the need for extra pushers on the case band. The instantaneously advancing day and month display is self-adjusting for months with 28, 30 and 31 days, only requiring manual adjustment at the end of February only during the non-leap years. With its unique date disc with retrograde indication and a power reserve of 120 hours, there was nothing quite like the Octa Calendrier when it first appeared on the market. Shortly after its official launch, the Octa Calendrier watch won the Special Jury’s Award at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2002.
François-Paul Journe’s ‘Octa Calendrier’ was produced between 2004 and 2015. Although all the watches of the Octa range were fitted with the same cases, interestingly there were two different case sizes – 38mm and 40mm. The rare 38mm examples such as the present watch are regarded as the size that is most coveted by Journe purists and aficionados.
The name ‘Octa’ was given as a prefix to all F.P. Journe’s automatic watches because in Latin it means ‘eight’ and the figure ‘8’ on its side signifies the concept of limitlessness or infinity.
Octa Calendrier
The Octa Calendrier was François-Paul Journe’s first annual calendar wristwatch and the third complication to be integrated into the Octa automatic calibre series. The integration of an annual retrograde calendar while maintaining the dimensions of the movement was another significant horological achievement. As was the system whereby all the indications are set via the crown, without the need for extra pushers on the case band. The instantaneously advancing day and month display is self-adjusting for months with 28, 30 and 31 days, only requiring manual adjustment at the end of February only during the non-leap years. With its unique date disc with retrograde indication and a power reserve of 120 hours, there was nothing quite like the Octa Calendrier when it first appeared on the market. Shortly after its official launch, the Octa Calendrier watch won the Special Jury’s Award at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2002.