F.P. Journe

The Ruthenium Collection, introduced from 2001 to its completion in 2004, marked F.P. Journe's inaugural venture into limited edition collections. Comprising five distinct models, each was produced in a numbered series of 99 pieces, delivering a fresh and exclusive experience to his esteemed collectors. Distinguished by their ruthenium-coated gold dials and brass movements, these timepieces earned their name. Housed in platinum, this series also marked Journe's first deployment of a 40 mm case, a departure from his customary 38 mm size at the time. In fact, with the exception of the Octa Zodiaque, these are the only 40 mm brass movement watches around, which makes them all the more unusual.

The models within the Ruthenium Collection included:

Tourbillon Souverain

Chronomètre à Résonance

Octa Chronographe

Octa Jour et Nuit

Octa Calendrier

Presented here is the Chronomètre à Résonance from this distinguished Collection. While at first glance, the Résonance may appear as a straightforward dual-timepiece, it harbors a horological marvel of advanced technology. True to its name, the Résonance employs a pair of balance wheels, driving not only the dual time zones displayed, but remarkably, acting in tandem as an exciter and resonator, enhancing the movement's inertia and thereby achieving heightened timekeeping precision. This concept traces its origins to the observations of Dutch mathematician Christiaan Hygens around 1665, who noted two pendulum clocks mounted on the same wall oscillating in perfect synchrony. Building upon this principle, legendary French clockmaker Antide Janvier (1751-1835) created "double pendulum clocks," or "Résonance clocks," a groundbreaking achievement. Prior to the 20th century, there existed only five résonance clocks worldwide: three crafted by Janvier and two subsequently by Abraham Louis Breguet. One of Janvier's clocks now graces the private collection of Montres Journe. As early as 1983, François-Paul Journe embarked on a pocket-sized résonance watch. The initial endeavor met with challenges, yet it sparked his ambition. Nearly 15 years of meticulous research and development ensued before he unveiled his Chronomètre à Résonance in 2000, marking the advent of the world's first résonance wristwatch. 

The fusion of an iconic F.P. Journe complication with the rare and captivating metal, ruthenium, makes this watch both mechanically and visually impressive.