F.P. Journe Octa Chronographe Ruthenium | A limited edition platinum...
Dial: ruthenium on white gold
Calibre: cal. 1300 automatic ruthenium plated brass movement, 36 jewels
Case: platinum, sapphire crystal display case back secured by six screws
Case number: 06/99-02C
Closure: platinum F. P. Journe folding clasp
Size: 40 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial, and movement
Accessories: F.P. Journe Certificate dated 7 September 2004, original invoice, instruction manual, watch loupe, polishing cloth, bracelet tool and presentation box
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
Catalogue Note:
Numbered 06/99, the present Octa Chronographe forms part of F.P. Journe’s Ruthenium Collection, comprising five models, each produced in a limited edition of 99 examples. Housed in platinum, the watch pairs a dark ruthenium coated dial with contrasting silver registers. The same treatment continues on the brass movement, giving these watches their distinctive appearance both front and back.
The Ruthenium Collection was produced during the final years of F.P. Journe’s brass movement era, shortly before the manufacture transitioned to movements made in 18k pink gold. As some of the last Journe watches to house the early brass calibres today so highly prized by collectors, the Ruthenium pieces occupy a pivotal position in the history of the brand, marking the passage between two distinct eras of production.
The Octa Chronographe itself was an ambitious watch. Entirely conceived by François Paul Journe and powered by the automatic calibre 1300, it combines a five day power reserve, oversized date and flyback chronograph within a 40 mm case. Rather than adding the chronograph as a separate module, Journe integrated the mechanism directly into the movement, preserving the elegant proportions of the Octa while introducing considerable mechanical complexity.
Despite everything happening beneath the dial, the watch remains unmistakably Journe. Hours and minutes sit off centre, balanced by the large date, power reserve, running seconds and chronograph indications. Against the dark grey ruthenium surface, the silver registers almost jump from the dial, giving this unusual Octa a very different character from its more classical siblings.
The present watch is made all the more appealing by its 06/99 individual number and remarkable completeness. Offered by its original owner and fresh to the market, it is accompanied by its original A4 certificate confirming its individual number, date of sale and configuration, together with its original invoice dated 7 September 2004. Also preserved are its ebony wood presentation box, F.P. Journe loupe, spring bar tool, instruction manual and original microfibre cloth.
Coming directly from its original owner, the present 06/99 Octa Chronographe offers a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptionally complete example from one of the most important chapters of early F.P. Journe production.
Dial: ruthenium on white gold
Calibre: cal. 1300 automatic ruthenium plated brass movement, 36 jewels
Case: platinum, sapphire crystal display case back secured by six screws
Case number: 06/99-02C
Closure: platinum F. P. Journe folding clasp
Size: 40 mm diameter
Signed: case, dial, and movement
Accessories: F.P. Journe Certificate dated 7 September 2004, original invoice, instruction manual, watch loupe, polishing cloth, bracelet tool and presentation box
Please note the leather strap derived from endangered species is for display purposes only and is not sold with the watch. The watch will be shipped with a Sotheby’s branded calf leather strap.
Catalogue Note:
Numbered 06/99, the present Octa Chronographe forms part of F.P. Journe’s Ruthenium Collection, comprising five models, each produced in a limited edition of 99 examples. Housed in platinum, the watch pairs a dark ruthenium coated dial with contrasting silver registers. The same treatment continues on the brass movement, giving these watches their distinctive appearance both front and back.
The Ruthenium Collection was produced during the final years of F.P. Journe’s brass movement era, shortly before the manufacture transitioned to movements made in 18k pink gold. As some of the last Journe watches to house the early brass calibres today so highly prized by collectors, the Ruthenium pieces occupy a pivotal position in the history of the brand, marking the passage between two distinct eras of production.
The Octa Chronographe itself was an ambitious watch. Entirely conceived by François Paul Journe and powered by the automatic calibre 1300, it combines a five day power reserve, oversized date and flyback chronograph within a 40 mm case. Rather than adding the chronograph as a separate module, Journe integrated the mechanism directly into the movement, preserving the elegant proportions of the Octa while introducing considerable mechanical complexity.
Despite everything happening beneath the dial, the watch remains unmistakably Journe. Hours and minutes sit off centre, balanced by the large date, power reserve, running seconds and chronograph indications. Against the dark grey ruthenium surface, the silver registers almost jump from the dial, giving this unusual Octa a very different character from its more classical siblings.
The present watch is made all the more appealing by its 06/99 individual number and remarkable completeness. Offered by its original owner and fresh to the market, it is accompanied by its original A4 certificate confirming its individual number, date of sale and configuration, together with its original invoice dated 7 September 2004. Also preserved are its ebony wood presentation box, F.P. Journe loupe, spring bar tool, instruction manual and original microfibre cloth.
Coming directly from its original owner, the present 06/99 Octa Chronographe offers a rare opportunity to acquire an exceptionally complete example from one of the most important chapters of early F.P. Journe production.
