F.P. Journe Octa Automatique Lune France-China 50 Ref. AL Limited Series Platinum Blue Dial

Journe marked fifty years of diplomatic relations between France and China with a blue-dialed Octa Automatique Lune carrying the anniversary mark on the face. Commemoratives of this kind rarely suit a watch, and this one works because the blue is the only change, since the case, the moon and the layout are all standard. Blue dials on the Octa are otherwise almost unheard of, which is most of the reason collectors chase this particular one down.

The platinum case runs to 40 mm. The dial is blue, with gold numerals turned into it by a diamond tool, the moon phase at twelve and the large date opposite. The France and China anniversary mark sits low on the face where a signature would normally go. Neither the color nor the mark has appeared on the reference since. Everything else about it is a standard Octa of the period.