F.P. Journe Octa Automatique Reserve

So you’ve bought a Patek Philippe, maybe an Audemars Piguet, a few Rolexes or a Vacheron Constantin.

You think you’ve seen it all and are ready to move on to exotic collecting horizons, and then you stumble on F.P. Journe. Arguably the father of the modern independent watchmaking renaissance, Journe has paved the road for countless other small manufactures to make a name for themselves and share their creative eye with the industry. Journe’s legacy truly extends far beyond the watches he’s designed and executed. 

Leaving school early to study horology, and working in his uncle’s clock repair shop, Journe discovered his knack for all things horology at a young age. Studying the works of Breguet and George Daniels, Journe had an eye for complication and classicism. These influences heavily impacted the look of Journe’s later creations. 

After completing his studies and designing a number of commissioned pieces for private clients, Journe decided to set out on his own crafting wristwatches. Never slacking off, his earliest designs were tourbillons with constant force remontoirs, extremely mechanically sophisticated and difficult to execute. The ambitious young watchmaker was already punching above his weight, and by the time he started his own eponymous brand, collectors were already getting excited about Journe’s promise. 

The Octa Automatique Reserve, introduced in 2007, captures Journe’s command of both complicated watchmaking, and unique watch designs. A guilloche dial center, Journe’s very own typeface on the dial, and a funky layout of complications all come together to present a luxurious, but distinctive dial look. At 9 o’clock, Journe has set a power reserve indicator, displaying the impressive 120 hour power reserve. In actuality, the watch will remain running for closer to 180 hours, however, Journe only advertised 120 hours because he wanted to display power for only the portion of the reserve that the watch would maintain extreme timekeeping precision. At 5 o’clock Journe placed a subsidiary seconds, and balanced its weight with the a date window between 11 and 12 that helps keep the dial feeling well-spaced and proportional.

While there’s certainly a lot going on in a small space, the dial doesn’t feel cluttered or messy, and instead comes off as elegant and downright handsome.

Measuring 40mm in platinum, this particular piece features their signature rope motif crown, a silver dial with numerals that jump right off the dial with an almost three-dimensional quality and a matching blued-steel handset — once more calling upon the look of classic Breguet dials. 

While Journe has a number of more complicated offerings, even his simpler designs have his creative flavor undeniably evident with every minute detail. This watch is truly a celebration of the success of independent watchmaking and Journe’s role in perpetuating it. 

François-Paul Journe is one of the most well respected independent watchmakers in the world. A three-time winner of the Aiguille d’Or grand prize from the Fondation du Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, he is a watchmaker’s watchmaker, focusing on complicated pieces made in-house to the tune of roughly 800 watches per year.

Born in Marseille in 1957, Journe began his watchmaking education at just 15 years old, receiving his watchmaking diploma at the École d'Horlogerie in Paris in 1976. He opened a studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 1985, and subsequently relocated to the Swiss Jura in 1989, where he began work on his first tourbillon wristwatch. Ten years later, he established his eponymous firm in Geneva.

F.P. Journe builds precision chronometers outfitted with cases from its own case maker, and dials from its own dial maker. Each timepiece is printed with the motto ‘Invenit et Fecit,’ Latin for ‘(He) invented it and made it,’ indicating in-house construction, vertical integration, and the highest possible standards. The recipient of numerous patents, Journe’s horological innovations have earned him plaudits from across the industry.

Today, F.P. Journe operates 10 boutiques around the world. Its incredibly well regarded wares have raised over two million CHF for various charities via auctions, only furthering to cement both the brand and the man in the annals of horological history.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.