Highly sought after for their signature aesthetic and distinctiveness, Journe’s earliest timepieces produced from 1999 to 2004 would use rhodium-plated brass movements. Before switching to full rose gold movements in 2004, it’s believed only approximately 2000 Journe timepieces were made with brass movements across all models. Octa models were initially offered in either platinum or 18 karat rose gold with a superbly-proportioned, 38 mm case diameter. Inside ticks Journe’s innovative, in-house caliber 1300 featuring an offset 22K winding rotor, and a high-quality, free sprung escapement oscillating at a classic 21,600 beats per hour. A precision chronometer as indicated on the movement’s engraved bridge, it was the first self-winding movement to provide 120 hours of power reserve.

The Octa Lune was launched in 2003 and won the “Best Men’s Watch” award, in the same year, at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) - the most prestigious award ceremony in the watch industry. The moonphase on the left-hand side of the dial, offers a balance to the offset subdial displaying the hour and minute. If you look carefully, the actual moon aperture is poetically crafted in the shape of a crescent moon itself, rotated 90 degrees horizontally.

Phillips is honored and proud to offer the present example with serial number 001, discovered during Phillips’ multi-city world tour exhibition of the F.P.Journe Souscription set of five watches with serial number 001 offered in Phillips’ The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV sale in November 2021. Bearing serial number 001-03L, it is most likely the very first Octa Lune produced by F.P.Journe.

During the very last hour of the final day of the exhibition at the F.P.Journe Boutique Los Angeles, an eagle-eyed Boutique staff member spotted the present watch on the wrist of a collector, as he too was wearing the identical model with pink gold dial. Realizing the rarity as only 28 examples in this configuration were produced, the discreet owner casually remarked to the staff member that his has a special serial number, 001, matching the serial numbers of the five Souscription watches on display.

Having the sixth original Octa model with the prestigious number 001 serial number appear, everyone present at the exhibition was elated. After years of ownership and seldom wear, the owner decided it was the right time to let another collector enjoy this historically important timepiece.