F.P. Journe Octa Universal Time Coordinated “UTC, 38mm, Rose Gold/Gray Dial”

Up for grabs is an F.P. Journe Octa UTC

First and foremost, I want to stress the rarity of this piece. Based on research, there have been only about 10 UTC’s made with 38mm cases, ever. Less than half of them were in rose gold. It is not certain if these pieces were special order, but they were certainly not in the catalog as being available with 38mm cases.

The Octa UTC got its name based on coordinated universal time feature. Unlike a standard GMT complication, it incorporates a useful travel function in a way wholly consistent with the brand’s aesthetic and approach to complications. The UTC display allows the wearer to visually represent the time zone they are tracking, also allowing for variables such as daylight savings and summer time. Powered by the self-winding calibre 1300.3 crafted from solid rose gold, it is a thoroughly modern piece wrapped in the brand’s early case size.

The case is beautifully proportioned, further accentuating the virtues of the often favored 38mm size. It is marked by a pronounced rounded bezel that sits flush with the dial-side sapphire crystal. The flat midcase integrates the short lugs, that turn down sharply, terminating in a squared off form. On the midcase, at 4 o’clock, is the dimpled corrector to manipulate the subdial that houses the visual representation of the UTC complication.

The dial is where someone who’s not familiar with UTC models needs to pay attention. It is the only model with hour markers finished in matte blue on 12 hour tract and matte gold on 24-hour.

Function aside, the UTC display lends a burst of color to the otherwise restrained dial. It includes a painted polar view of Earth topped by a sapphire disc detailing the time zones. The wearer can use the corrector at 4 o’clock to set this display to the 0 position to correspond with the secondary time zone they are tracking. The +1 and -1 positions on the UTC display also allow the wearer to account for daylight savings and summer time in certain time zones.

Condition wise, this watch remains in an unpolished and excellent condition without dings, dents, or deep scratches.

This watch comes complete with FPJ boxes, the large UTC manual with CD, a polishing cloth, and guarantee card and paperwork from Kamine, who was an authorized agent in Japan during this time. Their very detailed guarantee even shows the picture of the watch on it. The watch also comes with its original black strap, which is in excellent condition, indicating seldom wear. The blue FPJ strap you see in the photos is also included.

You would be hard pressed to find any 38mm UTC’s in sales records anywhere, I believe this is the only other one publicly sold aside from the platinum model A Collected Man sold in the past. This is a very good opportunity to add an extremely rare watch to your advanced FP Journe collection.