SIGNED F.P. JOURNE, CHRONOMETRE A RESONANCE MODEL, CASE NO. 320/03R, CIRCA 2003

The present watch is an important early version with rhodium-plated brass movement. Early F. P. Journe timepieces were fitted with brass movements and these are extremely collectible today. Journe timepieces maybe synonymous with 18k gold movements now but the watchmaker only started crafting his movements in gold from 2004. The early production models, between 2001 and 2004, featured brass movements – an estimated number of around 2,000. As a result Journe wristwatches with brass movements are rare and signify an epoch in the celebrated indie watchmaker’s sterling career.

The Chronometre à Résonance model was launched in 2000 and is a firm favourite amongst Journe’s watches. It is one of the exceedingly rare and fascinating wristwatches in the world based on resonance, a natural physical phenomenon. The two closely positioned balance wheels synchronize each other by means of the resonance effect and naturally beat alternately. The negative effects of wrist and body movements are hence considerably reduced.

The effects of resonance upon a timekeeper was first noticed by Antide Janvier around 1780 who made clocks with two pendulums beating in resonance, the idea was taken further by Abraham Louis Breguet who successfully completed pocket watches with twin resonant balances. The genius of F.P. Journe reinvented the mechanism for the modern world and produced the “Chronometre a Resonance” wristwatch, the present watch is one of that remarkable series. The two dials can of course be used to show two different time zones, however, many watch collectors have both dials displaying the same time to remain true to the original theory of resonance. To facilitate precise setting of both movements, the seconds can be zeroed and started simultaneously by pulling out the crown at 4 o’clock on the band.