This Octa Perpétuelle Anniversaire Tokyo is one of only ninety-nine pieces, created between 2009 and 2010. Each of the series is individually numbered and cased in titanium. The Octa Perpétuelle represents an innovative and thoughtful approach to the long-established complication by  building on the watchmaker’s existing 1300.3 calibre, as the basis for his first perpetual calendar.  

Tokyo Anniversaire

This example is one of few pieces from the Tokyo Anniversaire series, celebrating the opening of F.P. Journe’s Tokyo boutique. The watchmaker himself has demonstrated a long-standing affection for his Tokyo Boutique, the very first one he opened in 2003. Speaking to the Financial Times in 2010, Journe says that the impetus behind opening the boutique was that no retailer was sufficiently focused or well informed to sell the brand. Occupying two floors of a minimalist Tadao Ando building in chic Aoyama, the boutique has been the connecting link with many of Journe’s most important clients in Japan.

Five watches currently make up the Tokyo Anniversaire collection, with each featuring ruthenium coated dials, polished titanium cases and rose gold accents. This was the first time an entirely new model was created for the series, which also includes the Souverain, Tourbillon, Resonance and Centigraphe.

Four of the fives pieces, including this Octa Perpétuelle, have been discontinued. Moreover, the Octa Perpétuelle, with perpetual calendar display, was only ever made for the Tokyo Anniversaire series, making it all the more unusual. It is interesting to note that across F.P. Journe’s other sought-after limited editions, be it the ruthenium or stainless steel collection, focusing on 5 models appears to be the magic number.

Building on the Octa

In the design, Monsieur Journe reorients the original F.P. Journe calendar watch. Like the Octa Calendrier, the days of the week and months are displayed in two opposing windows, beside the silver guilloché dial showing the hours and minutes. The month aperture for the Octa Perpétuelle conceals the leap-year indication within the month of February, switching to “B FE” or “Bissextile February”, every four years, with superimposed discs. The month of February is otherwise displayed as “1FE”, “2FE” and "3FE”, using a more conventional three letter format for the remaining months.

Borrowing again from the Calendrier, the Octa Perpétuelle features the same distinctive long arc for the retrograde date display, automatically advancing the date for months with 29, 30 and 31 days. Situated on the left side of the case, the Octa Perpetuelle features a unique lever system for quick adjustment of the months annually, with a locking mechanism preventing accidental changes.

The Design

Housed in a 40mm titanium dress watch case, the watch is further distinguished by the ruthenium coated dial. The charcoal grey surface is delicately textured, giving the dial a mixture of tones and added depth. The overall appearance differs from that of the Ruthenium Collection, with a noticeably darker and more consistent matte tone. The words "Invenit et Fecit" are inscribed below the rose F.P. Journe signature (Latin for "Invented and Made" or more literally "Designed and built by F.P. Journe") in classic F.P. Journe style - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago.

The lettering for the date discs is also highlighted in rose, complimenting the handset and exposed dial screws. The watch is also accompanied by a distinctive bracelet, which includes an "F.P. Journe - Invenit et Fecit" engraving on the clasp face. Already particularly sought-after in platinum, this one is made out of polished titanium, making it all the more unusual. It’s understood that only 8-10 titanium bracelets were made for the Octa Perpétuelle Series.

The Movement

This self-winding, F.P. Journe caliber 1300.3 perpetual calendar movement is 18-carat rose gold, with Côtes de Genève, constructed with 32 jewels and a shock absorber mechanism. It 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, with off-centre 22-carat gold guilloché rotor winding in only one direction using a self-locking ball bearing system. The movement is engraved "Exclusive Power Reserve System" and "Precision Chronometer".

The Set

This Octa Perpétuelle Anniversaire Tokyo watch is accompanied by its original outer and inner boxes, Certificate, burgundy strap, rose gold F.P. Journe buckle, polished titanium bracelet and accompanying materials within the complete Tokyo Edition set.

Closer look