F.P. Journe

When it comes to collecting F.P. Journe, the present lot is as good as it gets and ticks all the boxes for collectors. The provenance is impeccable, having been bought in February 2003 at the famous retailer Kirchhofer in Interlaken, Switzerland, by the Swiss collector and sole owner of the watch who is now offering it for the first time at auction. Not an official F.P. Journe dealer himself, Kirchhofer was able to organize this piece for his distinguished client through an authorized dealer in Switzerland who had it sitting in his stock since 2001. Its condition is exactly what collectors are looking for with wonderful proportions and razor-sharp lugs, as the watch never received any servicing. The most important factors, rarity and collectability, are checked off thanks to the very early brass movement and low case number which are both revealed on the back.

F.P. Journe was established in 1999 and during the first few years of existence, the movements were made of brass. Early production figures were low and research estimates an overall production of only 2'000 brass movements, making them highly demanded on the market today. Starting in 2004, all subsequent movements were made of gold. 

The present 'Brass Movement' Octa Reserve de Marche dates back to 2001 as indicated by its low case number 120-01A and confirmed on the Certificate of Authenticity. This was the same year that the Octa automatic calibre was released. According to our research, the present example belongs to the very first generation of this model. What distinguishes these earliest brass movement iterations from subsequent ones is the straight-line Côtes de Genève finishing as opposed to the later rounded one. It appears that only a little more than 100 pieces were produced with the straight-line Côtes de Genève finishing making this a super rare specimen. 

Of beautiful design, the pink dial which is confirmed by the Certificate of Authenticity also features an early seconds hand with thicker counterweight, as opposed to the thinner ones used for later gold movement watches or likely as replacement parts during servicing. The pink gold dial appears to be the rarest variant and the present one is exceptionally attractive, with the pink gold having slightly oxidized around the fixing screws and with a mesmerizing shimmer throughout, which is something that is only seen on early F.P. Journe dials and particularly striking under sunlight. 

This year, F.P. Journe is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Octa automatique calibre. The Octa Reserve de March, such as the present example, was the first model produced in series with this calibre and marked the beginning of the successful Octa collection. One could not think of a more suitable timing than now for offering an early example from the year of its inception. Presented complete with warranty card and original wooden presentation case, the lot is an incredibly attractive F.P. Journe appearing for the first time at public auction and the kind of watch that makes the heart of collectors beat faster.