Octa Automatique Lune France China 50 | AL | Platinum

A special edition of the Octa Automatique Lune*, created to celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China. F. P. Journe was appointed the official watchmaker of the event in 2014, it's believed that ten pieces were initially produced, one for each F. P. Journe boutique, and additional examples made available by special request. The watch features a striking blue dial, a colour rarely seen within Journe’s work at the time, alongside an integration of the colours and symbols associated with the anniversary celebrations. The watch was created in 2014, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between France and China. To honour this date, Journe was made the official watchmaker of the event, a fact bolstered by his having a network of boutiques that includes locations in both Paris and Hong Kong. Intriguingly, this was also made at a time when Journe watches very rarely featured blue dials. Outside of his regular production pieces, this still holds true across more special examples such as this. Reports state that ten pieces were initially produced, one for each F. P. Journe boutique, and additional examples made available by special request. The France-China 50 logo is integrated alongside F. P. Journe's signature and the usual "Invenit et Fecit", adding a touch of red and white to the dial. The combination of these colours function as a nod to both countries' flags, perhaps slightly more so to the blue, red, and white of the French flag. As opposed to the typical combination of guilloché Clous de Paris dial and printed numerals, this edition of the Octa Automatique Lune features a smooth, textured blue dial, with applied indices. The large date and moonphase display have been preserved, making these highly legible elements on the dial. At nine o’clock, a power reserve indicator of 120 hours is also shown. Housed in a contemporary 40mm case, the watch also features F. P. Journe's signature ‘flat crown’ with a rope-like pattern. While this piece is undeniably attractive, it is the movement that F. P. Journe is famed for. Since the introduction of the first Reserve de Marche in 2001, mechanical F. P. Journe examples can be divided into two main movement types – the manually-wound Souverain and automatic Octa (Latin for "eight" or "infinite"). Each Octa movement is designed to incorporate fully-integrated complications within the same volume. Impressively, all variations within F.P. Journe’s entire Octa collection are identical, both in diameter and thickness. This self-winding F. P. Journe caliber 1300.3 movement is 18-carat rose gold, with Côtes de Genève, constructed with 36 jewels and a shock absorber mechanism. It further features a straight-line lever escapement and monometallic 4-arm balance with 4 timing weights, adjusted to 5 positions. It includes a self-compensating free-sprung flat balance spring and off-centre uni-directional 22-carat guilloche rotor. The movement is engraved "Exclusive Power Reserve System" and "Precision Chronometer". If sold within the United Kingdom, this F. P. Journe Octa Automatique will be subject to 20% VAT Closer look Brand: F. P. Journe Model: Octa Automatique ref. AL Movement: automatic calibre 1300.3 Functions: hours, minutes, sub-seconds, date display window, moonphase, power reserve indicator Features: display back Case material: platinum Case diameter: 40mm Case thickness: 10.6mm Lug-to-lug: 48mm Crystal: sapphire front & back Strap: F. P. Journe burgundy alligator strap, F. P. Journe platinum pin buckle Lug width: 20 x 19mm (curved) Year: N/A Accompanying materials: N/A Condition This F. P. Journe Octa Automatique is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show very light superficial marks on the very surface of the material. The dial, hands, and movement are free of imperfections and have been well preserved. All hallmarks and engravings are well defined. Warranty The watch comes with a two-year, limited warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.