F.P. Journe

When many think of Francois-Paul Journe they immediately think of the Chronomètre a Résonance. It is arguably Journe’s most iconic and recognizable timepiece, the quintessence of his craftmanship both aesthetically and technically.

At a first glance the Resonance may deceive the public as a simple dual time watch. However, on the contrary, it not only has an appealing watch face, but it also has a very exciting and technologically advanced movement. As its name suggests, the Resonance adopts a pair of balance wheels that not only power the two-time zones displayed, but most astonishingly serve together as an exciter and resonator which provides more inertia to the movement and results in greater accuracy of time. The watch draws its inspiration from by Dutch mathematician Christiaan Hygens who circa 1665 observed two pendulum clocks placed on the same wall swinging in perfect duplicity. Antide Janvier (1751-1835), the legendary French clock maker then succeeded in using the principle in the art of watch making and created “double pendulum clocks”, also called “Resonance clocks”, which he was the first to make. Prior to the 20^th century, there were only 5 resonance clocks in the world. Three made by Janvier and 2 made later by Abraham Louis Breguet. One of these clocks made by Janvier is now in the private collection of Montres Journe. 

As early as 1983, François-Paul Journe tried his hand at a pocket-sized resonance watch. The first attempt failed, but his ambition was awakened. It would take about 15 years of research and development before he was able to launch his Chronomètre a Résonance in 2000: the first resonance wristwatch.

With the introduction of the 'Rose Gold Movement Era' in late 2004, FP Journe introduced a slightly updated Resonance with a new reference, known as the RN 'Resonance Nouveau'. Journe had always wanted his wristwatches to be made with gold movements, since it was the way watches had been made in the era of Abraham-Louis Breguet and was also the way he created pocket watches early in his career. The costs were prohibitive at the beginning but by 2004, Journe was finally able to achieve his goal of making gold movements. This present watch from 2007, is fitted with the updated rose gold caliber 1499.2.

As a timepiece, this embodies many of the fundamental elements that make the world of horology so alluring a place. It has history, a story behind how and why it was created; it has an unparalleled aesthetics inspired by some of world’s best watchmakers though, at the same time, original and true to Journe’s personal vision; and within, working largely unseen, is the movement. A mechanical marvel again founded in horological history and brought to life by Journe’s incomparable skill, style and finesse. We are pleased to offer this timepiece, in overall excellent condition accompanied by its full suite of accessories.