Oversized watches are passé. In retrospect, while watchmakers were gladly enlarging all their iconic pieces to warm receptions earlier this decade, chunky horology has worn out its welcome and today’s luxury connoisseur has been once again reminded of the efficacy of modesty.
However, all trends have exceptions. Just as how shorts-suits and deconstructed sport coats are not adequate for certain occasions, so is downsizing not applicable to every horological occasion.
When F.P. Journe unveiled the Octa Lune, it was nothing short of an occasion. The originally 38mm timepiece garnered much fanfare around its overlapping seconds and main dials of precious metal, alongside a technically captivating retrograde power reserve indicator scale – storing 120 hours of energy is a laudable feat in itself. The excitement of its unique visage is further drummed up by a big date, whose curved divider of its discs is an aesthetic detail popularised by brands like Glashütte Original, and a glistening moon phase display. Despite all these mechanical labours, the Octa Lune’s dial perpetuates a certain tranquillity through open space, which is embellished by a refined matte finish that is only employed by a few maisons like Jaeger-LeCoultre. Other unforgettable aesthetics than defined the Octa Lune included its crown, which is flattened out of obstruction but bevelled for easy operation.
Proclaiming its motivation beneath its brand marquee: “Invenit et Fecit”, F.P. Journe strives not just to manufacture with great beauty, but also invent with user-centric creativity. Beyond the complications that reveal themselves on the surface of the Octa Lune, its in-house caliber 1300.3 fashioned in 18kt red gold employs modern watch technology including an Anachron flat balance spring, a mobile stud holder, four adjustable inertia weights, and a free-sprung Nivatronic laser soldered balance spring with pinned GE stud.
While François-Paul Journe’s labour of love received adulation to the point of veneration as an icon of its era of horology, there was one qualm some collectors had. Its delicate functions were not best enjoyed at their respective sizes on the 38mm dial.
2015 welcomes a much warranted enlargement of this icon. The F.P. Journe Nouvelle Octa Lune has been reinterpreted in 40mm and 42mm, in platinum or red gold. A prolific lover of off-centred dials, F.P. Journe’s reign of finesse extends from how the overall aesthetics of its watches shine, to how the minute details that numerous other watchmakers have skimmed across, stand out on an F.P. Journe creation. All variants brandish the sophisticated watch art of the house of Journe – bridges circular damaskeened with Côtes de Genève and a partial circular-grained base plate, contrasting a finely polished case, and peppered with screw heads. Other unforgettable aesthetics than have defined the Octa Lune include its crown, which is flattened out of obstruction but thoughtfully bevelled for effortless operation.
Filed under: Watches
