Limited to 99 pieces! The "Automatic" celebrating Octa's 20th anniversary

F.P.JOURNE | François-Paul Journe

The "Automatic" Celebrating Octa's 20th Anniversary, in Elegant Yellow Gold

To commemorate the 20th anniversary of its first automatic movement, F.P. Journe has unveiled the "Automatic," a limited edition of 99 pieces. This special model features a brass movement, manufactured until 2004, housed in a 40mm platinum case with a satin-finished yellow gold dial. It will be available exclusively at F.P. Journe's ten boutiques and Espace locations.

Text by OZAKI Sayaka | Edit by TSUCHIDA Takashi

A Collector's Piece Evoking Early F.P. Journe Nostalgia

In 2001, F.P. Journe introduced the Octa (automatic) movement, the first wristwatch caliber with a 160-hour power reserve, marking a significant innovation at a pivotal moment in 21st-century watchmaking. Over the past two decades, three evolutions have been introduced, the latest being the modification of the automatic winding system from bidirectional to unidirectional winding, enhancing efficiency in rapidly energizing the mainspring in the barrel.

Since this introduction and these modifications, the independent watchmaker François-Paul Journe has stated that the Octa caliber is a testament to precision and durability, remarking, "The Octa is already a complete movement; it has achieved its almost unrealistic performance and requires no further improvements."

In 2021, marking the 20th anniversary of its first automatic movement, F.P. Journe presented the "Automatic," a special limited edition of 99 pieces. This model, reminiscent of the early days, is powered by the rhodium-plated brass caliber 1300.3 within a 40mm platinum case and features a satin-finished yellow gold dial, evoking the spirit of the 2001 production pieces personally finished by François-Paul Journe.

The dial has been refined for enhanced legibility, with improved size and placement of each indication. The date display window has been enlarged to 4.7 x 2.6 mm, prompting a repositioning of the power reserve indicator for better balance, and the hour markers are slightly larger. This limited edition will be available at F.P. Journe's ten boutiques and Espace locations.

The only aesthetic change planned for future movements will be an open-worked bridge to better reveal the gearing, a modification that will be applied to all Caliber 1300.3 from 2021 onwards. Furthermore, from 2022, the "Automatic" will be added to the current collection in 40mm or 42mm platinum or 18K6N gold cases, with dials in gold or silver with guilloché decoration.