F.P. Journe Octa Lune Ref. L Boutique Rose Gold Black Dial

Octa Lune is the earlier name for the moon phase, and this is its boutique dial, blackened gold with the registers left pale against it. The house reserved dark dials for the platinum Black Label pieces until these appeared, so a black face on a rose gold case was a real departure at the time. It never reached the catalogue and was sold only through the shops themselves, which is why so few of them circulate.

Rose gold, offered at 40 and 42 mm. A blackened gold plate carries whitened guilloché silver registers, with the moon at twelve, the large date opposite and small seconds low. The dark ground is what makes the disc legible at a glance, which is the argument for the whole configuration. Blued hands supply the only other relief, and the gold case is what keeps the whole thing from turning cold on the wrist.