Property of the Original Owner
1127
F.P. Journe
Chronomètre à Résonance "38mm Brass Movement"
An early, extremely well-preserved and rare platinum dual-time wristwatch with double escapement, power reserve indication, two-tone subdials, brass movement and warranty
Estimate
HK$2,000,000–4,000,000
€224,000–448,000
$256,000–513,000
Manufacturer
F.P. Journe
Year
Circa 2001
Case No
106/01R
Model Name
Chronomètre à Résonance "38mm Brass Movement"
Material
Platinum
Calibre
Manual, cal. 1499, 36 jewels
Bracelet/Strap
Leather
Clasp/Buckle
Platinum F.P. Journe pin buckle
Dimensions
38mm diameter
Signed
Case, dial, movement and buckle signed
Accessories
Accompanied by F.P. Journe warranty stamped Les Ambassadeurs, Geneva dated 7th September 2001, purchase invoice, instruction manual, loupe, watch tool, cloth, associated presentation box and outer packaging.
Full-Cataloguing
Good To Know:
- 38mm platinum case with white gold dial
- Dial and Subdials gorgeously aged
- Extremely well preserved, ultra-rare example from 2001
- Offered by the original owner with purchase invoice and original warranty
When François-Paul Journe introduced the first-generation Chronomètre à Résonance in 2000, it was far more than a technical innovation — it was a philosophical manifesto. The groundbreaking 38mm wristwatch featured a brass movement with two independent balance wheels, one acting as the "exciter" and the other as the "resonator". When in motion, these balances synchronize through sympathetic resonance, naturally counterbalancing each other’s deviations to achieve exceptional chronometric stability.
This milestone was the realization of a vision Journe had pursued since 1983, when he first set out to honor 18th-century horological pioneers Antide Janvier and Abraham-Louis Breguet by crafting a resonance pocket watch. Sixteen years later, Journe succeeded where his contemporaries could not: translating Janvier and Breguet's historic experiments into the world’s very first wristwatch to harness this remarkable mechanical phenomenon.
Produced between 2000 and circa 2005, the first-generation Chronomètre à Résonance (reference R), like the present example, featured a rhodium-plated brass movement within a 38mm case. Not only is it a first-generation piece, it comes from an early batch produced in 2001, displaying attributes found exclusively in the earliest Résonances. The present example 106/01R is arguably one of the most exceptionally preserved on the market, featuring a platinum case and a gorgeously aged white gold dial.
It is no surprise to see the vibrant shimmering effect in earlier dials compared to later iterations as the intensity and shimmer of these dials gradually diminished throughout the production lifespan of the Résonance. As with the Tourbillon, the manufacturing process and dial lacquer were eventually upgraded, resulting in surfaces that would not oxidize. Furthermore, early subdials like the present example have a higher tendency to develop patina and mature into a darker hue. On later examples, this does not occur, with a consistent white tone being retained instead. This aging effect and resultant "two-tone" subdial aesthetic closely resembles the iconic early Souscription dials, such as the record-shattering "Souscription, No. 007".
More than a technical achievement, the Résonance represents the very soul of François-Paul Journe’s pursuit of absolute precision and mechanical poetry. The present 106/01R is offered directly from the original owner, who purchased the watch in 2001 at Les Ambassadeurs in Geneva and retains its original purchase invoice reflecting the original price of CHF 37,000. Judging from the remarkably preserved case, it is evident the watch saw scarce wrist time and was carefully treasured by its owner for a quarter of a century. Accompanied by its original warranty card and watch tools, Phillips is extremely honored to be entrusted by the collector to offer this timepiece for the first time on the market.
- 38mm platinum case with white gold dial
- Dial and Subdials gorgeously aged
- Extremely well preserved, ultra-rare example from 2001
- Offered by the original owner with purchase invoice and original warranty
When François-Paul Journe introduced the first-generation Chronomètre à Résonance in 2000, it was far more than a technical innovation — it was a philosophical manifesto. The groundbreaking 38mm wristwatch featured a brass movement with two independent balance wheels, one acting as the "exciter" and the other as the "resonator". When in motion, these balances synchronize through sympathetic resonance, naturally counterbalancing each other’s deviations to achieve exceptional chronometric stability.
This milestone was the realization of a vision Journe had pursued since 1983, when he first set out to honor 18th-century horological pioneers Antide Janvier and Abraham-Louis Breguet by crafting a resonance pocket watch. Sixteen years later, Journe succeeded where his contemporaries could not: translating Janvier and Breguet's historic experiments into the world’s very first wristwatch to harness this remarkable mechanical phenomenon.
Produced between 2000 and circa 2005, the first-generation Chronomètre à Résonance (reference R), like the present example, featured a rhodium-plated brass movement within a 38mm case. Not only is it a first-generation piece, it comes from an early batch produced in 2001, displaying attributes found exclusively in the earliest Résonances. The present example 106/01R is arguably one of the most exceptionally preserved on the market, featuring a platinum case and a gorgeously aged white gold dial.
It is no surprise to see the vibrant shimmering effect in earlier dials compared to later iterations as the intensity and shimmer of these dials gradually diminished throughout the production lifespan of the Résonance. As with the Tourbillon, the manufacturing process and dial lacquer were eventually upgraded, resulting in surfaces that would not oxidize. Furthermore, early subdials like the present example have a higher tendency to develop patina and mature into a darker hue. On later examples, this does not occur, with a consistent white tone being retained instead. This aging effect and resultant "two-tone" subdial aesthetic closely resembles the iconic early Souscription dials, such as the record-shattering "Souscription, No. 007".
More than a technical achievement, the Résonance represents the very soul of François-Paul Journe’s pursuit of absolute precision and mechanical poetry. The present 106/01R is offered directly from the original owner, who purchased the watch in 2001 at Les Ambassadeurs in Geneva and retains its original purchase invoice reflecting the original price of CHF 37,000. Judging from the remarkably preserved case, it is evident the watch saw scarce wrist time and was carefully treasured by its owner for a quarter of a century. Accompanied by its original warranty card and watch tools, Phillips is extremely honored to be entrusted by the collector to offer this timepiece for the first time on the market.
F.P. Journe
Swiss | 1999Founded by watchmaker François-Paul Journe in 1999, the F.P. Journe brand is relatively young, but already is as highly regarded by collectors as many distinguished manufacturers with centuries-old heritage. In the minds of the world's savviest collectors, Journe is producing some of the finest wristwatches the market has ever seen. Mastering his craft from restoring historical timepieces, he was the first to create a wristwatch incorporating two escapements that benefit from the phenomenon of resonance — the Chronomètre à Résonance.
Key models include the Résonance, tourbillon wristwatches incorporating a remontoir and the limited edition Vagabondage series. Especially sought-after are his earliest "souscription" watches, made in 1999.