New Watch! • 27 Oct 2018
New Centigraphe Sport & Octa Sport
Iconic Dials
When asked to think of some of the most iconic F.P Journe dials in recent memory the tropical Havana dials on both the Automatique Réserve And Octa Automatique Lune mostly come to mind. Created from mixing ruthenium with gold, the end result is a rich coffee coloured dial. Sitting by the beach in broad daylight, the dial takes on more of a milky-chocolate tone. It’s a subtle shift though, not like that of the Chronomètre Bleu.
While F.P Journe’s Havana dials tend to take inspiration from watches that have been unintentionally discoloured (as a result of exposure from the intense equatorial sun); the dial of the Chronomètre Bleu is more reminiscent of a neon-illuminated metropolis at night. Looking straight on, the dial takes on a dark almost blackish appearance. From side on under direct light, the dial reveals its neon side. Taking on an exceptionally vivid blue colour.
Now in Yellow
The new Centrigraphe Sport and Octa Sport have for the first time vivid yellow lacquer dials. Thankfully the dial colour doesn’t shift like that of the Chronomètre Bleu (it would look too busy on these dial layouts). For its intended use, these new high contrast yellow dials are a welcome addition to F.P Journe’s most sporty range of watches and greatly enhance the legibility of the sub-registers.
Dial Display
Both the Centigraphe Sport and the Octa Sport feature a 44 mm Titanium (grade 5) case. It’s quite thin as well, with the Octa Sport measuring in at 11 mm high, 0.3 mm higher than that of the Centigraphe Sport. These dials just pop, thanks in part due to the high contrast against the anthracite-coloured case. Enhancing the legibility, both sport (pun intended) Superluminova hands, Superluminova appliqué numerals and 12 luminescent points running along the black chapter ring. Luminescent appliqué numbers are surrounded with black as well as sapphire counters with red numbers.
The Centigraphe Sport features central hours and minutes, 1 second counter at 10 o’clock, 20 seconds counter at 2 o’clock and 10 minutes counter at 6 o’clock. Whereas the Octa Sport includes central hours and minutes, small second at 6 o’clock, Day/Night indication at 9 o’clock, a power reserve at 10h30 and a very large date at 1 o’clock.
Case Construction
Prized for its lightness, strength and anti-corrosive properties, titanium is used extensively in boating and aeronautics. On the Centigraphe Sport and the Octa Sport, titanium is used throughout in conjunction with rubber. Both the titanium crown and adjustable titanium deployant clasp are rubber coated, whereas the bracelet and the case are made of titanium with rubber inserts (rather than coating).
Its bezel is made of titanium and ceramic, following the design code of the Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante with numbers engraved in the Titanium base. Both weigh in (bracelet included) at an astonishing 75 grams. Interestingly, the Centigraphe Sport movement weighs 1 gram more than that of the Octa Sport. The Centigraphe Sport and the Octa Sport are also available with a case and bracelet in platinum or 18K red gold with hammered finishing.
Movements
The Octa Sport houses the Octa calibre 1300-3. Powered by a unidirectional automatic winding off-centre rotor made of 22K red gold. This is achieved through a clever self-locking ball bearing system. Aside from the rotor, the movement is made of an aluminium alloy. Frequency: 21’600 Alt/h, 3. Power reserve: 160 hours.
The Centigraphe Sport houses the manually wound Calibre 1506. It too is made of an aluminium alloy to keep weight down. It includes a patented ergonomic chronograph and a patented chronograph mechanism which effectively isolates the chronograph from the timekeeping function. This means the balance amplitude is unaffected when the chronograph is running. Also includes a 1/100th second recorder hand, return to zero function and an innovative power reserve function. The barrel includes a maintaining power system in order to ensure that the driving force does not decrease during winding. The mainspring supplies at least 80 hours of power reserve without the chronograph, and 24 hours with the chronograph running. Frequency: 21,600v/h (3Hz).
From Australia to Singapore, Malaysia to Thailand – our goal is to promote watch culture the world over, by sharing the stories of watches we love. You’re more than welcome to stop by one of our boutiques, say hi and have a look at F.P Journe watches in person. We’d absolutely love to guide you in your watch collecting journey. Have a question? Drop us a line. We look forward to hearing from you.