The F.P. Journe Octa Sport Aluminium was briefly produced between 2012 and 2014 in an ultra-light aluminium case, weighing 53 grams only. An unconventional take on a sports watch by , the Octa Sport was designed with usability and comfort in mind.

The Linesport collection

The Linesport collection in aluminium was produced exclusively between 2011 and 2014, with the released in 2011 and the Octa Sport in 2012. Both models were quickly replaced by black titanium versions of the same design, making these early pieces rare and elusive. 

When the Linesport models in aluminium were first introduced, they took the watch community by surprise. For many, the idea of a sports watch created by Francois-Paul Journe seemed paradoxical, yet his eye for detail and quality is such that these watches clearly bear his mark. Ben Clymer of HODINKEE briefly summarised the original aluminium Sport models as “just absurdly light, and absurdly cool.”

The Design

At just 11.6mm high and 53 grams in weight, the Octa Sport makes for an elegant profile on the wrist, something absent in most sports watches. Clearly designed with functionality in mind, the 42mm case is made distinctive through the use of rubber inserts, fixed to the sides of the case, in order to protect the watch from any shocks. This, in addition to the slim, rubberised rope-like patterned crown renders the piece, visually, quite unlike any other. 

The aluminium dial is matte-finished in contrasting dark grey, with classic F.P Journe numerals. The signature handset is modified for the Linesport collection to improve readability, requiring the addition of luminous material to the hour and minute hand. Classically fixed on the dial with exposed screws, there is a small seconds indicator at 6 o’clock. In addition to that, you can find a date indicator at 1 o’clock and a day/night indicator at 9 o’clock. The power reserve is placed just between these two indications, letting the wearer know how much of the 120 hours of power reserve is left.

The red accents throughout the design further enhance the sportiness of this model. The bracelet and folding clasp incorporate a rubber coating, much like the outer-case band, with the clasp engraved with the F.P. Journe signature. 

The Movement

While all other movements from F.P. Journe from the period were made from 18K rose gold, the Linesport collection is noteworthy for housing the first movements ever to be created from aluminium by the manufacture. The aluminium was treated in order to make it scratch-resistant and give it anti-corrosive and anti-allergic properties.

The automatic calibre 1300.3 integrates an anachron free-sprung flat balance spring and a variable inertia balance wheel. Despite being made out of aluminium, the movement is finished to F.P. Journe’s exacting standards, with circular Côtes de Genève on the bridges, partly circular graining on the baseplate, as well as polished screw heads with chamfered slots. The mainspring supplies a minimum of 120 hours of power reserve.

The Set

This F.P. Journe Octa Sport Aluminium comes with its original cardboard outer box, aluminium inner box and its original warranty card. The aluminium bracelet comes with 16 links in total (including the head links), with 6 of those being removable (including links connected to clasp). 

Closer look