By Magnus Salbu
F.P. Journe presented two new watches to the Octa Lune and Octa reserve collection. The only difference between the new ones and the already existing models is the dial. As the name suggests, these watches have a new “Havana” dial. The “Havana” name comes from the tobacco brown colour of the new dials. It goes very well with the caramel brown alligator strap.
The dial is finished in typical Journe style with Clous de Paris, hand engraved, patterns on the inner part of the dial, and large, Arabic numerals around the hour track. The new models will be available in both 40 and 42mm cases crafted by platinum. The case is the same as the other models in the Octa Reserve and Octa Lunar collections.
These new watches house F.P. Journe’s automatic, in-house calibre 1300.3 crafted in all rose gold. It beats at 21.600 vibrations per hour and has an impressive 120-hour power reserve thanks to the large capacity mainspring barrel. The 22kt rose gold rotor has a uni-directional winding system with ceramic ball bearings. The ceramic ball bearings make sure the rotor only spins in one direction and is locked in the other. This means less wear and tear on the rotor and makes for a more efficient rotor. The movement is as usual superbly finished with bevelled edges and a circular Côtes de Genève finishing on the rose gold bridges.
In my opinion, the new Havana dial is a wonderful addition to both collections, but I would like to see it with a rose gold case as well. Because brown and rose gold is an unbeatable combination. We don’t see a lot of brown dials so it truly is refreshing to see such a high-end watchmaker taking the leap. This is sure to be a hit amongst F.P. Journe collectors.
The F.P. Journe Octa Automatique with Havana dials comes on a caramel brown alligator strap with a platinum buckle, they are priced at 44.900 Swiss Francs for the Octa Reserve and 48.100 Swiss Francs for the Octa Lune.
For more info, please visit fpjourne.com
