F.P. Journe - The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT New York Saturday, June 10, 2023 | Phillips
  • Manufacturer: F.P. Journe
    Year: Circa 2002
    Case No: No. 186-02R
    Model Name: Chronomètre á Résonance
    Material: 18K pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 1499, 36 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18K pink gold F.P. Journe pin buckle
    Dimensions: 38mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.
    Accessories: Accompanied by F.P. Journe Certificate of Authenticity card, instruction manual, fitted presentation box, and outer box.

  • Catalogue Essay

    The first generation Chronomètre à Resonance featured a 38mm diameter case with brass movement and was inspired by the work of the great 18th century watchmaker, Antide Janvier. In 1983, Journe sought to emulate the legendary Janvier by creating a pocket-watch using the resonance phenomenon, and 16 years later, he introduced his now-iconic Chronomètre á Résonance wristwatch. It was the world’s first wristwatch to use the resonance phenomenon, whereby the movement is composed of two independent balances, alternatively serving as an “exciter” and “resonator”. When in motion, the balances create the resonance effect and beat in opposition, naturally evening out each other’s discrepancies and thus permitting greater accuracy. Not only a wonderful tribute to technical watchmaking, the Chronomètre à Résonance can also be used as a dual time watch. In production from 2000 to 2005, the first generation Chronomètre á Résonance (reference R), like the present lot, features a rhodium-plated brass movement and a 38mm diameter case. The second generation (reference RN) would introduce rose gold movements to replace brass and housed predominantly in larger 40mm cases.

    According to reliable sources, between 70-80% of the production of -02 Resonances were cased in platinum, making a pink gold-cased -02 R exceptionally rare. Even rarer is the combination of a pink gold case with white gold dial. In the past two decades, about 28 pieces have appeared publicly, with the majority in platinum with white gold or yellow gold dials. Only three examples, of which the present lot is the third, in a pink gold case with white gold dial, have appeared publicly in the past two decades.

    The present lot offers the rare opportunity of obtaining a historically important timepiece that has become one of the most important horological breakthroughs of the past decades. It remains accompanied with its original guarantee card, instruction manual, and presentation box, consigned by an important private collector. Paired with a complementary taupe strap, the present -02 R never ceases to impress with its classic appearance, technical excellence, and exceptional rarity.

  • Artist Biography

    F.P. Journe

    Swiss • 1999

    Founded 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.

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93

An innovative and highly scarce pink gold chronometer dual-time wristwatch with white gold dial, double escapement, Certificate of Authenticity card, and presentation box

Circa 2002
38mm Diameter
Case, dial, movement, and buckle signed.

Estimate
$130,000 - 260,000 
CHF117,000-234,000
€120,000-240,000
HK$1,020,000-2,030,000
S$175,000-350,000

Sold for $279,400

Contact Specialist

Paul Boutros
Head of Watches, Americas
+1 (212) 940-1293
WatchesNY@Phillips.com
 
Isabella Proia
Head of Sale, New York
+1 (212) 940 1285
iproia@phillips.com

The New York Watch Auction: EIGHT

New York Auction 10 - 11 June 2023