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