Important Watches
Important Watches
Octa Calendrier Ruthenium | A limited edition platinum automatic annual calendar wristwatch with retrograde date, Circa 2004
Auction Closed
June 9, 05:37 PM GMT
Estimate
50,000 - 100,000 USD
Lot Details
Description
Octa Calendrier Ruthenium
A limited edition platinum automatic annual calendar wristwatch with retrograde date, Circa 2004
Dial: ruthenium on gold
Caliber: cal. 1300 automatic
Case: platinum, sapphire crystal display back secured by six screws
Case number: 44/99-04Q
Closure: 18k white gold F.P. Journe folding buckle
Size: 40 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial and movement
Box: yes
Papers: yes
Accessories: F.P. Journe presentation box with outer packaging, Warranty Certificate dated January 25, 2001, a platinum buckle, and operating instructions
The Ruthenium Collection was made starting in 2001 until the series was completed in 2004. It was the first limited edition collection F.P. Journe produced, and comprised of five different models. Each model was numbered in 99 pieces, and was intended to provide something new and exclusive for his collectors. The watches have ruthenium-coated gold dials and ruthenium-coated brass movements, hence the name. Encased in platinum, this was also the first time Journe used a 40 mm case, which was larger than the usual 38 mm size of the time. In fact, with the exception of the Octa Zodiaque, these are the only 40 mm brass movement watches around, which makes them all the more unusual.
The models in the Ruthenium Collection included:
Tourbillon Souverain
Chronometre a Resonance
Octa Chronographe
Octa Jour et Nuit
Octa Calendrier
The present timepiece is an Octa Calendrier from the Collection. F.P. Journe carefully considered all aspects of the watch including its legibility. The contemporary asymmetrical dial ensures that all calendar functions of the watch are placed toward the left whilst the time stays on the right side of the dial. The Octa Calendrier was Journe’s first automatic annual calendar wristwatch and boasts an impressive 5-day power reserve. In reality, the Octa Calendrier under promised and over delivered by exceeding its stated power reserve, with a true power reserve potential of 7-days. Besides the dial and movement color differentiating this piece from a regular series Octa Calendrier, the day and month windows have dark backgrounds with white text instead of white backgrounds with black text.
The present watch represents a rare opportunity to own an early limited edition F. P. Journe in overall very good condition, and is accompanied by its full suite of accessories.