F.P.Journe
Octa Chronographe Flyback Platinum 156-C

Our Opinion

F.P. JOURNE OCTA CHRONOGRAPHE FLYBACk PLATINUM REFERENCE 156-C
Offered here from the unprecedented watchmaker F.P. Journe Octa Chronographe Platinum Reference 156C. Manufactured 2003.
F.P. JOURNE BRIEF HISTORY
At the turn of the millennium, François-Paul Journe, the watchmaker, had spent the previous two decades developing complicated watch and clock movements for big brands, either on his own or as a part of a joint venture.

Under his name, he had also been making small-series and pièce unique pocket watches, then wristwatches, by hand for an exclusive circle of collectors, featuring chronometry-enhancing mechanisms like the chain-and-fusee, remontoir, detent escapement, and, of course, tourbillon.

The F.P. Journe Octa Chronograph perfectly illustrates the brand's philosophy: to make the most cutting-edge wristwatches available on the market today.

Their motto, "Invenit et Fecit", or "he invented it and made it" is exemplified by the watch's eccentric time display, registers, and a large date. The watch is further distinguished by its slim automatic movement, a trademark of the firm's, which also houses the patented twin concentric large display discs.

DESCRIPTION AND TECHNICAL DETAILS

Calculated asymmetry is the rule for an F.P. Journe dial, and it’s present in force on this Octa Chronograph. The off-centre local time shares shoulder room with the 60minute subdial at nine o’clock. A “Grande date” with a double-digit display floats amid the yellow gold plane at 11. Both sandblasted yellow gold inserts are framed by polished white gold surrounds, and the silvered dial features subtle cross-hatched guilloche beneath each dial.

F.P. Journe’s calibre 1300 in-house automatic calibre resides in glory beneath the sapphire case back. Its ample 30mm diameter fills the platinum case, but the exquisitely “guilloché” (clous de Paris) 22-karat winding rotor is slightly smaller than the case… and slightly off centre by design. Moreover, the chamfer of each bridge features a slight rusticated treatment. Rather than polish each angle to a mirror’s gleam, the evidence of the artisan’s file is left intact to highlight the role of human hands in the creation of each movement. As with the dial, Journe’s unique aesthetic sensibility defines the character of his movement.

F.P. Journe only offered brass movements from 1999 to 2004, and this period coincides with an exceptionally low annual production rate; Journe’s small shop was anything but an industrial concern. As a result, it is estimated that fewer than 2,000 brass movement F.P. Journe timepieces were produced.

The overall condition of this F.P. Journe is excellent with practically no signs of any wear. As you can appreciate this stunning piece is accompanied by all its factory accessories inclusive of, inner and outer boxes, manuals, cardholder and certificate.