Property of an Important European Collector
930
F.P. Journe
Octa Réserve de Marche, "38mm Brass Movement"
A very early and well-preserved platinum wristwatch with brass movement, straight Côtes de Genève, white gold dial, small seconds, date, power reserve indication, warranty and presentation box
Estimate
HK$1,000,000–2,000,000
€114,000–227,000
$128,000–256,000
Manufacturer
F.P. Journe
Year
Circa 2001
Case No
057-01A
Model Name
Octa Réserve de Marche, "38mm Brass Movement"
Material
Platinum
Calibre
Automatic, cal. 1300, 30 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
Platinum F.P. Journe pin buckle
Dimensions
38mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories
Accompanied by F.P. Journe guarantee card stamped Les Ambassadeurs dated 17th June 2001, instruction manual, fitted presentation box and outer packaging.
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- 37th commercially numbered piece (excluding the 20 Souscription examples)
- Straight Côtes de Genève finishing on the movement
- Incredibly attractive grey sheen on the dial
- Full set with original guarantee card and presentation box
The present lot is exceptional. It features a matching white gold dial, sharing the same configuration as the Octa Réserve de Marche No. 1 which has aged into a distinctive silvery sheen. This subtle transformation is a hallmark of Journe’s early dials that cannot be replicated, rendering each surviving piece unique. Flipping the watch over reveals a crucial detail: while the majority of production exhibits circular graining, early examples like this one feature an ultra-rare straight Côtes de Genève finish on the brass movement plates. Only approximately 150 pieces were produced with this straight striping and its extreme rarity is further underscored by the fact that even the historic Souscription series produced in 2003 utilized circular graining, whereas the present 2001 example pre-dates them by roughly two years.
Offered by an important private collector, this timepiece is preserved in immaculate condition and comes complete with its original guarantee card and presentation box. Research indicates that this watch, numbered "057", represents the 37th commercially numbered piece produced (excluding the 20 Souscription examples). It stands as one of the earliest Octa Réserve de Marche wristwatches ever to resurface at international auction.
- 37th commercially numbered piece (excluding the 20 Souscription examples)
- Straight Côtes de Genève finishing on the movement
- Incredibly attractive grey sheen on the dial
- Full set with original guarantee card and presentation box
The present lot is exceptional. It features a matching white gold dial, sharing the same configuration as the Octa Réserve de Marche No. 1 which has aged into a distinctive silvery sheen. This subtle transformation is a hallmark of Journe’s early dials that cannot be replicated, rendering each surviving piece unique. Flipping the watch over reveals a crucial detail: while the majority of production exhibits circular graining, early examples like this one feature an ultra-rare straight Côtes de Genève finish on the brass movement plates. Only approximately 150 pieces were produced with this straight striping and its extreme rarity is further underscored by the fact that even the historic Souscription series produced in 2003 utilized circular graining, whereas the present 2001 example pre-dates them by roughly two years.
Offered by an important private collector, this timepiece is preserved in immaculate condition and comes complete with its original guarantee card and presentation box. Research indicates that this watch, numbered "057", represents the 37th commercially numbered piece produced (excluding the 20 Souscription examples). It stands as one of the earliest Octa Réserve de Marche wristwatches ever to resurface at international auction.
F.P. Journe
Swiss | 1999Founded by watchmaker François-Paul Journe in 1999, the F.P. Journe brand is relatively young, but already is as highly regarded by collectors as many distinguished manufacturers with centuries-old heritage. In the minds of the world's savviest collectors, Journe is producing some of the finest wristwatches the market has ever seen. Mastering his craft from restoring historical timepieces, he was the first to create a wristwatch incorporating two escapements that benefit from the phenomenon of resonance — the Chronomètre à Résonance.
Key models include the Résonance, tourbillon wristwatches incorporating a remontoir and the limited edition Vagabondage series. Especially sought-after are his earliest "souscription" watches, made in 1999.