The Ruthenium Collection is comprised of five watches. Including the Tourbillon Souverain, the Octa Chronographe, the Octa Calendrier, the Octa Réserve de Marche Jour et Nuit and notably, the Chronomètre à Resonance, this series concludes F.P. Journe’s final chapter on producing brass movements before moving on to 18K pink gold entirely. Each released as a 99-piece limited edition, the collection marked Journe’s inaugural collection featuring ruthenium-coated dials and movement plates. Though it is seldom used in watches, this rare inert metal is closely related to the platinum family and is often found in aerospace engineering for its natural resistance to oxidation and impeccable hardness. The entire collection is framed in a 40mm platinum case, rather than a traditional 38mm dress watch case.
Manufactured between 2001 and 2005, the Ruthenium Chronomètre á Résonance is certainly a sight to behold, boasting a striking grey dial forged from ruthenium-coated white gold. The charcoal canvas is finely texturised, offering a stimulating addition of depth and dimension to the moody backdrop. Given how this material plays with light, the dial is like a lenticular image that transitions from a metallic silver hue to a muted smoky shade as the wearer admires it from different angles. As a dual-time wristwatch, the two time-zones are presented on separate silver guilloche subdials that show the hours, minutes and seconds in a 12-hour display. Both time-zones are easily adjustable via the winding crown at 12 o’clock, and the crown at 4 o’clock is used to synchronise both seconds hands.
Like most F.P. Journe creations from this era, the present example is fitted with an in-house brass movement. It’s said that only 2,000 F.P. Journe wristwatches – in total – were produced with brass movements during his earliest years as an independent operation. However, what sets this Ruthenium Chronomètre á Résonance apart from the standard issue is its ruthenium-coated manual-winding cal. 1499. Both visually and mechanically impressive, the movement can be observed via its sapphire caseback, revealing 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. The two balance wheels are strategically placed almost touching one another, which forces the dissipated energy of each to be caught by the other. Not only does this result in a unique type of frequency regulation, but it also produces the most beautiful and crisp ticking sound that resonates through its case.
The present Chronomètre á Résonance is produced in 2001. By virtue of their standing within the brand’s heritage and their rarity, these early examples of F.P. Journe pieces are extremely sought-after. Furthermore, being a part of the Ruthenium Collection only elevates its status as a cult favourite and collectible. Numbered 2 of a limited edition of 99 pieces only, this Ruthenium Résonance also marks the second example ever to be offered by PHILLIPS. This exceptional opportunity to secure the beautifully preserved masterpiece may well be as rare as the watch itself.