F.P. Journe Automatique Ref. AN

The Automatique, Ref. AN, is built on F.P.Journe's Calibre 1300.3, the Octa movement launched in 2001 and refined only three times since, most recently with a switch from bi-directional to uni-directional winding for faster tensioning of its long mainspring. The case is available in platinum or 18K 6N gold, in 40mm or 42mm, with a dial in white gold or 5N gold and whitened guilloché silver, paired with blued steel hands. Off-centre hours and minutes sit alongside small seconds at 4:30, a large date window measuring 4.7 x 2.6 mm, and a power reserve indicator at 7:30.

The movement itself is what sets the Octa apart, a meter-long mainspring runs almost flat against the geartrain and escapement rather than coiled in the usual way, delivering 160 ± 10 hours of autonomy from a single wind, driven by a 22K gold rotor with uni-directional winding. A free-sprung balance with four inertia weights and a flat Anachron microflamed spring, laser-welded Nivatronic to the collet, runs at 21,600 vibrations per hour across 37 jewels. The finishing carries F.P.Journe's usual standard for the Classique line, circular stripes on the bridges, partly circular graining on the baseplate, polished chamfered screw heads, and rounded polished pegs, with the movement built from 257 components and 294 once cased on the strap.