Manufacturer: F.P. Journe Year: Circa 2004 Case No: 075/150 Z Model Name: Octa Zodiaque Material: Platinum Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1300 Bracelet/Strap: Leather Clasp/Buckle: Platinum F.P. Journe pin buckle Dimensions: 40mm Diameter Signed: Case, dial, movement and pin buckle signed Accessories: Accompanied by F.P.Journe Certificate of Authenticity dated 16th March 2020 and copy of service receipt.
Catalogue Essay
With the Octa Zodiac, F.P. Journe created an incredibly inventive method of displaying the date and the month, along with zodiac signs that are printed on a disc that jumps one increment at each 24 hour period.
The Octa Zodiac was made between 2003 and 2005 in a limited edition of only 150 pieces in platinum. It was also F.P. Journe’s first gentleman’s wristwatch to feature central hands. Interestingly the watch is one of the extremely rare models to feature a 40mm case with a brass movement (instead of pink gold movement).
As with all Journe timepieces the complexity of the movement is offset by the ease of use as all functions are set via the crown.
Unlike many of Journe’s limited edition pieces the Octa Zodiac never existed in a different, non-limited version, which underlies the ultimate rarity of this timepiece.
Preserved in excellent condition, the present watch is offered with a Certificate or Authenticity and just came from a recent service from the Journe workshops.
The present timepiece is a must have for the Journe collector as it is one of Journe’s rarest and unusual creations.
Founded 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.