F. P. Journe

While any watch created by F.P. Journe could be considered a collector’s item due to the limited production of the Swiss manufacturer, watches of the Ruthenium Collection were made to be items of Francois-Paul Journe’s creative expression and exclusive products for selected longstanding clientele. The collection consists of five models produced from 2002 to 2005, each of which were limited to 99-piece production meaning the entire collection totals to 495 pieces.

The Octa Jour et Nuit made its debut in 2002 and has only ever appeared in the Ruthenium collection, making it one of the rarest F. P. Journe complications. Ruthenium, a rare precious metal belonging to the platinum group of the periodic table, is scratch resistant and insensitive to oxidization making it an incredibly durable material rarely seen in watches, but rather often used in aerospace engineering or electronics due to its composition. Aesthetically, ruthenium is also remarkable with a unique smokey grey color and a high shine finish, giving the watch a sleek and stylish appearance.

Numbered 23 out of 99, this fine timepiece is a physical piece of horological history. Especially because the watches of ruthenium collection are some of the last to be powered by brass movements before the manufacturer’s transition to pink gold movements, which are highly sought after by collectors and enthusiasts worldwide.