F.P. Journe - Racing Pulse New York Saturday, December 12, 2020 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: 2002
    Case No: 143-02C
    Model Name: Octa Chronograph
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Automatic, cal. 1300, 32 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Alligator
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold F. P. Journe deployant buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by F. P. Journe Certificate of Authenticity card dated March 11, 2004, and signed by Carat D. Fourneret, Saint Barthelemy, additional Certificate of Authenticity date July 17, 2020, original bill of sale dated March 11, 2004, wooden presentation box, product literature, two F. P. Journe collection books, and outer packaging

  • Catalogue Essay

    F. P. Journe is a creative genius, who seeks to combine traditional 18th-century horology with 21st century innovation. He has established himself as one of the greatest watchmakers of the modern era, and his timepieces today are highly sought after by passionate collectors for their hand craftsmanship and technical prowess. Journe watches have a wearable, classic design, imbued with his own distinct vision of horology. “Invenit et Fecit” as stated on the present watch’s dial and winding rotor, he himself invents and designs his watches looking to master watchmakers like Abraham-Louis Breguet, and George Daniels for inspiration. Since his first timepieces became commercially available in the late 1990s, Journe has skilfully evolved his models and brand, consistently introducing prestigious, complicated wristwatches that are each a fine masterpiece.

    Journe’s first two wristwatches were the manually wound Tourbillon Remontoir and Resonance models, and in 2001 he introduced his automatic “Octa” movement, which today, almost 20 years later, remains a favourite amongst collectors. The ground breaking and modular Octa movement is found in a variety of models, from the Octa Reserve de Marche from 2001, to the present Octa Chronograph with date example. One of Journe’s driving forces in watchmaking is precision timekeeping maintained over the years. He has often been quoted saying the brand’s three objectives are autonomy, precision and practicality. The caliber 1300 of the “Octa” models features a seven day power reserve, but is only presented as 120 hours (5 days) as a chronometer, since past that duration, the linear energy flow needed for chronometry isn’t mechanically guaranteed. The caliber was introduced with a brass movement, however redesigned in 2004 as the 1300.2 using an 18-karat rose gold movement, then changed again in 2007 to the 1300.3 with a uni-directional winding rotor, opposed to the original bi-directional winding.

    The Octa Chronograph was the first automatic fly-back chronometer chronograph with oversized date window. The Octa Chronograph was also the first Journe model to be discontinued, when it was replaced by the Centigraphe Souverain chronograph in 2007. Produced in two series, the first with the caliber 1300 with brass movement like the present watch, and the second 1300.2 with 18K gold movement, is a wonderful reinterpretation of the chronograph. The asymmetrical dial, with large time indication to the right side of the dial, is offset by the smaller 60 minute dial to the left side. In lovely original condition, the watch is fresh to the market consigned by the original owner and remains complete with its original certificate, presentation box, and bill of sale. Over the past few years, demand for F.P. Journe’s timepieces has grown as more collectors recognize the importance of the brand’s exceptional timepieces. The present lot is a wonderful example of a very rare and early model - a rare opportunity for the connoisseur.

    Consigned by the Original Owner

  • Artist Biography

    F.P. Journe

    Swiss • 1999

    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.

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Σ101

An early and very rare 18K pink gold fly-back chronometer chronograph wristwatch with date, brass movement, Certificate of Authenticity, original bill of sales and presentation box

2002
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed

Estimate
$60,000 - 120,000 
CHF53,500-107,000
€49,300-98,600
HK$465,000-930,000

Sold for $252,000

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas & International Strategy Advisor
Senior Vice President
+1 212 940 1293
pboutros@phillips.com

Racing Pulse

New York Auction 12 December 2020