In unveiling the 42 mm Octa Divine, independent watchmaker F.P. Journe found the perfect excuse to reinvent and make a few subtle changes from the previous 38 mm version. Having reworked the Octa Lune last year, the Swiss watchmaker has entered 2016 with an elegant spark. A key difference in this update is the seconds’ display. Replacing the seconds dial is a disk. This works aesthetically with the sapphire moon phase disk right beside it, for a clean and elegant display. Sharing the dial are the power reserve indicator (10 o’clock), moon phase indicator (8 o’clock) and oversized double-disc date display window (11 o’clock). Encircling these displays is a polished steel circle that is screwed to the dial. The outermost ring features Arabic hour numerals of varying sizes, which is a delightful if potentially divisive move. Overall, this evolution of the Octa Divine is far more quirky than its smaller predecessor. Beneath the dial, the timekeeping magic comes from a unidirectional automatic winding movement, the in-house F.P.Journe Calibre 1300.3 in 18k gold (all F.P.Journe movements are in this precious metal). The bridges are decorated with Côtes de Genève, which you can observe at leisure via the exhibition case back. Hand-polished steel components are chamfered and counter-sunk. Available in either platinum or 18k red gold, it comes with leather straps. The watch is also available in a 40mm variant, with the same calibre.
