One of the most unusual of Francois-Paul Journe’s creations, the Octa Zodiaque was produced in a limited series of 150 pieces between 2004 and 2007. Cased in platinum with the rare brass Octa automatic movement, it was the first 40mm Journe to have central hour and minute hands. It still bears the characteristic power reserve indicator, oversized date display, and subsidiary seconds typical and beloved of the Octa series. The outer portion with the month and zodiac sign rotates incrementally each day, so that the month and corresponding zodiac sign is always indicated at the twelve o’clock position. Interestingly, the months are displayed in Latin, while the zodiac signs are in English.
While some of us may consider astrology as a frivolous pasttime, the signs of the zodiac have been displayed on the most prestigious and complicated watches of the 19th, 20th, and 21st centuries, including Patek Philippe’s Caliber 89. Modern complicated wristwatches rarely, if ever, display the signs of the zodiac, making this reference even more unique across the broader catalogue of contemporary wristwatches.
François-Paul Journe himself was born on 22 March 1957 in Marseilles, France, making him an Aries Sun, Cancer Rising, and Sagittarius Moon. Aries are known to be courageous, competitive, decisive, independent, and oftentimes, impulsive. One popular astrology website characterizes them as “pushing things forward with energy and enthusiasm and persever[ing] through anything”. Aries is a fire sign, ruled by Mars, the red planet named for the god of war. Notable Aries include Leonardo da Vinci, Vincent van Gogh, Maya Angelou, Elton John, and Robert Downey, Jr.
The present Octa Zodiaque is offered in excellent overall condition, from a prestigious original owner collection, accompanied by all of its original accessories.
PROPERTY OF THE ORIGINAL OWNER