SIGNED F.P. JOURNE, OCTA CHRONOGRAPHE MODEL, NO. 143-02C, CIRCA 2002

A prize catch for enthusiasts of the most elusive of F.P. Journe wristwatch models, this awesome platinum Octa Chronographe with white gold dial provides collectors with the perfect opportunity to obtain one of F.P. Journe’s rarest early pre-2004 brass movement models. In stunning condition it is sold with its original certificate and presentation box.

Octa Chronographe
The Octa Chronographe was produced in very small numbers and is one of the most intriguing of François-Paul Journe’s early series wristwatches. Technically brilliant, the Octa Chronographe uses the same caliber 1300 as other Octa models but is fitted with an integrated stopwatch mechanism on the dial plate. This allowed the Chronographe to be the same height as other Octa models, a quite remarkable achievement. With the Octa Chronographe, François-Paul Journe revolutionized the classical conception of a chronograph. Integrated within the Octa automatic winding calibre measuring 30 mm in diameter and 5.7 mm in thickness, the chronograph is housed in a space just 1 mm thick. This space is also occupied by the twin concentric large date display discs. To achieve such a performance, François-Paul Journe imagined flattening the usual column wheel to transform it into a cam wheel. This means it is the profiled rim instead of the column which actions the chronograph levers. A single sliding lever returns the chronograph seconds and minutes to zero by disengaging the brakes at the precise moment when it hits the specially profiled reset parts. These two innovations make it possible to reduce the mechanism to three levels. In this more compact version, the result is a sturdy movement ensuring long-term reliability. The model is fitted with a flyback, a reset functions and a 60 minute counter. The date is shown by large, separate numerals, according to a patented display mode.The Octa Chronographe was replaced by the ‘Centigraphe’ in 2008.