F.P. Journe Classique Automatique

In 2021, to mark the 20th anniversary of the F.P. Journey Octa self-winding Calibre, the Swiss watch manufacturer released a limited edition of 99 Automatique watches featuring a brass version of the Octa 1300.3 calibre with rhodium plating, providing aesthetics similar to the early F.P. Journey watches. After the successful launch and quick sale of last year’s limited edition, F.P. Journey has announced a sequel: the new Automatique.

The new model is housed in a case with a diameter of 40 or 42 mm, made of platinum or 18-carat gold, with all the tangible advantages offered by the 1300 series Caliber. It is made of 18k rose gold, like all modern mass-produced Journey movements, with a power reserve of 160 hours, which promises chronometric accuracy for the first 120 hours.

All versions feature the Octa 1300.3 Caliber, an exquisite self-winding movement made of 18k rose gold and displayed through a sapphire crystal back cover. The 22-carat gold rotor, offset from the center, is decorated with an elegant guilloche ornament. Unidirectional winding is possible thanks to a self-locking ball bearing system that uses the slightest movement of the wrist to wind the watch efficiently.

The 2001 Octa automatic movement was the first F.P.Journey movement with automatic winding. Before the Octa, Francois-Paul Journe established himself as one of the most respected watchmakers in modern watchmaking, releasing the Tourbillon Souverain and tourbillon regulator equipped with a constant-force mechanism in 1999, and the Chronomètre à Résonance a year later. Unwilling to sacrifice chronometric accuracy for the sake of an automatic winding movement, Octa not only guaranteed chronometric accuracy, but also had an impressive 120-hour/5-day power reserve and soon became the base movement of the entire collection.

The Octa mechanism operates at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 half-vibrations per hour) with an autonomy of 160 hours, provided by a single drum with a winding spring one meter long. The chronometric accuracy is guaranteed for 120 hours, the reserve of which is indicated in a special sector of the dial.

The hours, minutes, and seconds are displayed on an off-center auxiliary dial with a guilloche finish of bleached silver, which stands out against a white gold or rose gold dial. The large date ensures optimal readability due to the 4.7 x 2.6 mm aperture.

The novelty features all the branded elements of the F.P.Journey watch: a fluted crown, slightly enlarged here, elongated teardrop-shaped hands made of blued steel and a circle of polished steel screwed to the dial.

F.P.Journe Automatique comes with a classic black hand-stitched alligator leather strap, as well as platinum or rose gold bracelets that match the case material. As already mentioned, these are not limited editions, but part of the regular Classique collection. The new F.P.Journey Octa Automatique watch, released in 2022, costs 42,500 Swiss francs for the rose gold version and 45,000 Swiss francs for the platinum version.

Technical specifications F.P. Journe Automatique

white gold or bleached silver with guilloche pattern, additional time dial in a steel circle in a frame. Indexes: Roman numerals.

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