F.P. Journe Octa Reserve de Marche 38
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Why We Love it
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Why We Love it
–So you’ve bought a Patek, 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 brighter 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. Indeed, Journe’s legacy truly extends far beyond the watches he’s designed and executed.
Leaving school early to study watchmaking 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, he had an eye for complication and classicism that would go on to influence the look of his later creations.
After completing his studies and designing a number of specially commissioned pieces for private clients, Journe decided to set out on his own crafting wristwatches. Never one to slack off, his earliest designs were tourbillons with constant-force remontoirs — mechanically sophisticated complications that are extremely difficult to execute. The ambitious young watchmaker was already punching well above his weight, and by the time he started his own eponymous brand, collectors were excited about his promise.
The Octa Reserve de Marche, introduced in 2001, was Journe’s first watch with automatic winding and over 120 hours of power reserve. A guilloché dial center, Journe’s signature typeface, and the funky layout of the watch all come together to present a luxurious but distinctive look.
While the Octa Reserve is an excellent watch no matter the configuration, this particular piece is a cut above due to its smaller 38mm rose gold case, which wears beautifully on a wide variety of wrists due to its shorter lug profile. Featuring a signed crown, a sapphire crystal, and a smooth bezel, it’s adorned with a grained, 18K rose gold dial with main timekeeping and subseconds dials between 2 and 5 o’clock; an outsize date window at 11 o’clock; and a power reserve indicator between 9 and 11 o’clock. (Despite the 120 hours of displayed power reserve, the watch will remain running for closer to 180 hours. Journe only advertised 120 hours because he wanted to display power for the portion of reserve in which the watch would maintain extreme timekeeping precision.) Blued steel hands complete the elegant picture.
Powering the watch is the FPJ Calibre 1300, an automatic movement with a 22k gold winding rotor visible via a sapphire caseback. Hand-finished to perfection and developed in-house, this stunning movement is ample proof of Journe’s horological prowess and artistic acumen. Finishing the package, meanwhile, is a signed, turquoise blue alligator strap with a signed, rose gold pin buckle; the watch also comes with its factory goodies.
Brand Story
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Brand Story
+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.
A:S Guarantee
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A:S Guarantee
+Our Pledge
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.
Shipping & Returns
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Shipping & Returns
+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.
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F.P. Journe Octa Reserve de Marche 38
- Soldspan>
- Sold