In 2004, Journe began manufacturing movements from 18-carat gold, having developed the brand sufficiently to further the manufacturing process. Interestingly, it is François-Paul Journe’s earliest brass-movement pieces which command more interest from collectors. It is estimated that only around 2000 brass examples were produced, across all lines, and were manufactured exclusively between 2001 and 2004. Brass-movement F.P. Journe pieces are highly-sought by collectors, owing to their rarity and unique place in the brand’s history.
The Chronomètre à Résonance movement is comprised of two balance wheels, inspired by a natural phenomenon called 'resonance'. The complication is explained by François-Paul The complication is explained by François-Paul thusly;
“In a watch, never mind which, there is energy which dissipates. When you listen to a watch, the tic-tac of the balance is dissipating energy. In a resonance chronometer, there are two balance wheels which are placed sufficiently close to one another, and the dissipated energy of each is caught by the other, leading to a unique type of frequency regulation.”
The discovery is said to have been made in 1665, by Dutch mathematician Christiaan Hygens, who reported that two pendulum clocks, hanging from the same mounting beam, would beat in such perfect duplicity, that the sound of the escapements were indistinguishable from one another. The concept was later researched and developed by Antide Janvier, to be refined by Abraham-Louis Breguet. Early sceptics suggested that air-resistance played a role, however, extensive testing by Breguet (the first to test a dual-train resonance watch with a double-balance system, placing rings around the balance wheels, to negate the effects of air), and more recently by François-Paul, proved this to be untrue. Whilst the concept was long established, the term ‘resonance’ was in fact coined by Monsieur Journe himself, likening the phenomenon to that of a stringed musical instrument, which resonates.
The Chronomètre à Résonance is quintessentially an F.P Journe, in both its design language and movement. Housed in a classical 38mm dress watch case, it is made distinctive by F.P. Journe’s signature ‘flat crown’ with a rope-like pattern. The yellow gold dial is delicately textured, with a subtle shimmering finish, and displays two separate silver guilloché dials for the hours and minutes (the two opposing dials capable of displaying multiple time zones). The words ‘Invenit et Fecit’ are inscribed below the two subsidiary seconds (Latin for “Invented and Made”) in classic F.P Journe style - a nod to signing conventions of a century ago. The signature F.P. Journe style blue hands form a distinct contrast to the gold and grey dial. At 12 o’clock is a power reserve indicator of 40 hours. Overall, the dial layout is clean and highly legible.
Interestingly, the power reserve indicator of this Chronomètre à Résonance is reversed from the norm, beginning at 40 and progressing to 0. This was deliberate by F.P. Journe, who borrowed this from marine chronometer clocks. The reasoning behind this lies in the idea that the power reserve indicator of the Chronomètre à Résonance is not meant to display how many hours are left, but instead how many hours have passed since the watch was wound.
This manual-winding, F.P. Journe caliber 1499 movement is rhodium-plated brass, with fausses-côtes embellishments, constructed with 36 jewels. It features a resonance-controlled, twin independent gear-train, straight-line lever escapement, monometallic 4-arm balance with 4 timing weights, self-compensating free-sprung flat balance spring, oscillating at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour. Further to this, a winding crown at 12 o’clock adjusts both time-zones, with a crown at 4 o’clock to synchronize the seconds’ hands.
The earliest works of François-Paul Journe, effortlessly blend traditional 19th-century watchmaking with modern haute-horology. Housed in a 38 mm platinum case, this F.P. Journe ‘Chronomètre à Résonance’ is one of few pieces that represent its original, inspired design – the classic 38 mm case, now no longer in production. Monsieur Journe’s mastery is evident in the look, feel, and romance of his craftsmanship - inspired by his immediate works after graduation, restoring 18th and 19th century marine chronometers and pocket watches. These earlier, rarer pieces are being earmarked by collectors as ‘the ones to buy’, with such effects continuing to impact auction results in a measurable fashion.
This watch comes with a brand new dark blue F. P Journe alligator strap, and a matching platinum tang buckle.
Viewings are available at our office in central London, by appointment only.
