First Look – F.P. Journe Brings Havana Dials To The Octa Automatique Reserve and Lune

We already knew F.P. Journe watches with black dials, with gold dials or with blue dial (that blue dial…). Well, today, we will be the first to show you Journe watches with a brand new kind of color. Discreetly unveiled on the newly launched social media channels of the brand (see here for the post), we’ve been rather surprised and intrigued when seeing it, here at the Monochrome-Watches redaction. No more suspense, here are the new F.P. Journe Octa Automatique Reserve and Automatique Lune with stunning Havana Dials, live.

What you see here are simply new variations of existing watches, based on the Octa Automatique Reserve and Lune. Well, it’s not going to be the novelty of the year for sure, but still, as all new watches by Journe, these will certainly create some noise around the large and faithful community of Journe collectors and fans. At the same time, we won’t hide a certain pleasure in seeing new variations that look like that, because, it has to be said, these Havana dials are simply very cool.

As said, we’re talking here about evolutions and new color, however, F.P. Journe is here going off the beaten track. More used to traditional colors, like white or gold, Journe presents here a color that is original, unseen for his watches – and not often seen in the industry either, which was more focussed on blue during the last few years. Also, we’ve been highly surprised when seeing it in the metal, as the official images we’re simply not giving credit to the color chosen. On press material, it seemed more like a chocolate tone and in fact, Havana is the right name for these watches.

Without changing anything to the Octa Automatique Reserve and Lune that are used as base, the Havana dials are bringing a completely different perception. The color is warm, rather light but not overly present either. It is rather subtle when worn. These Havana dials are combined to new hands and indexes, both painted in a light cream color, again to have something warmer and softer. At first, we thought about old patinated dials, named “tropical” by collectors, as a source of inspiration. In fact, after having these watches strapped on the wrist, I might have to change my thoughts. This wouldn’t give credit to the color chosen. Good point too: these Havana dials are combined with cold and discreet platinum cases, preventing from a too visible combination with gold cases. The only regret might be towards the straps, which are not contrasting enough with the dials or not close enough in color to the dials. I’d suggest a dark brown option (but again, it is just a strap and this is my personal view…)

The Octa Automatique Reserve and Lune Havana dials are based on the smaller case now offered by Journe, meaning a 40mm diameter. Reasonable, balanced on the wrist (even with the heavy weight of platinum), comfortable, we found back here the great pleasure of having a Journe watch on the wrist. In terms of display and mechanics, the Havana dials are based on known editions. The central part of the dial is guilloche with a clou de Paris pattern, the large date, the small second and the power reserve are still placed rather original, something that greatly participate to the unique feel of these watches, and the base movement remains the same. Both watches are equal, to the exception of the addition of a moon-phase at 7 on the Octa Automatique Lune.

Inside the case is the self-winding movement of Journe, the Calibre 1300.3. Manufactured in 18k rose gold (for the bridges and plate) and in 22K rose gold (for the guilloche rotor), it offers 5 days of power reserve and a great devotion to chronometry, with a large variable inertia balance. Finishing is superb, with hand decoration on all the parts (hand-polished chamfers, polished screw-heads and sinks, circular Geneva stripes, perlage on the main plate). The contrast between the cold color of the platinum case and the warm shine of the gold movement is a real pleasure.

These new F.P. Journe Octa Automatique Reserve and Octa Automatique Lune with Havana Dials are already available in the official boutiques of the brand (including the Paris boutique where these watches were photographed). Retail prices are 47,800 Euros (Octa Automatique Reserve) and 51,500 Euros (Octa Automatique Lune). fpjourne.com.

Specifications of the F.P. Journe Octa Automatique Reserve and Lune with Havana Dials

• Case: 40mm diameter x 10,60mm thickness – 950 platinum, polished – sapphire crystal on both sides
• Movement: Calibre 1300.3, in-house – bridges and plates in 28k rose gold – Automatic winding – 5-day / 120 hours power reserve – 3Hz frequency – time, small second, power reserve, large date (and moon)
• Strap: alligator leather strap with alligator lining, platinum pin-buckle