Chronomètre à Résonance, Brass Movement, Platinum

When FP Journe was young, he worked with his uncle at the Museum of Arts and Metiérs where a Breguet resonance regulator from King Louis XVIII was housed. From this moment, he was enthralled. Directly after beginning his eponymous brand in 1999 with Tourbillons, a young FP Journe knew he needed to push the boundaries of what was possible in order to establish his reputation. The Chronomètre à Resonance was born in late 1999, a world first in wristwatches. Shortly thereafter, in 2004, all Journe production began to be made in pink gold movements. But it is these earliest brass pieces from 1999-2004 which most capture FP Journe’s ambition, the romance of his early efforts, and which are the most collected. This is one such example, a brass movement Resonance from 2002 in a magnificent state of preservation. Fewer than 467 brass movement Resonances were ever made. In the words of Rexhep Rexhepi, who worked for Francois-Paul at the time, 'When I think of FP Journe, I think of the Resonance.' The Resonance is arguably Journe’s defining accomplishment. 

The history of Resonance watchmaking traces all the way to Antide Janvier, royal clockmaker for King Lous XVI, who used two pendulums. Rather interestingly, he did not call the effect resonance, neither he nor Breguet named it. The resonance name, as applied to horology, was invented by FP Journe. Later, Breguet made prototype pocket watches which used closely placed balances for synchronization, which directly inspired FP Journe. George Daniels, when describing these prototypes, described them as, ‘examples of an experiment to demonstrate Breguet’s theory of dynamics as applied to oscillating bodies.’

FP Journe attempted to make the first Resonance wristwatch watch in 1994, which took him four years to complete. It was eventually cased in 1998. Prior to 1998, he carried it around in his pocket and would occasionally hold it to his ear to listen for synchronization. Once cased, he wore this watch, secretly, to his first ever exhibition at 1998 Basel Fair. It featured an accidental typo on the dial: ‘Resonnance’. Günter Blümlein is said to have been the only person to take notice of it back then. That dial is all that remains of this incredible history, the prototype was disassembled.  

The dial of an early Resonance could be ordered in white, pink, or this yellow gold. This 2002 example in a 38mm platinum case has a dial with a strong shimmer, characteristic of this era, with only light even signs of any oxidation. The dial has turned just slightly darker than raw yellow gold by slow, even, and minimal oxidation. This early construction of subdial has turned a warm, even silver. In fact, the honest patina of this example saw it be demanded for inclusion at the Special Exhibition of Resonance in Miami 2025, by FP Journe. 

Calibre 1499.2 is a rhodium-treated brass, with straight Côtes de Genève. The dual balances are positioned within .25-.4mm of each other and adjusted to maximally capitalize on the effect of resonance, where oscillations tend to synchronize due to proximity. The architecture uses twin independent gear trains, only joined by Resonance. The crown at 12 sets both dials where the crown at 4 resets and synchronizes petite seconds. Hand finishing adorns every millimeter of brass. Though finishing is not the focus, it sports broad handmade bevels from a wood cabron, delicate inner angles, perlage, côtes de genève, hand engraving, and black polish screws set in chamfered slots.

It is widely estimated than no more than 2000 pieces exist from the brass era of FP Journe production, probably closer to 1800 pieces, across all models. The Resonance and Tourbillon are the hallmark watches of FP Journe’s ability and style from these early years. The early Resonance is a watch of particular historic relevance to what FP Journe has become in the years following. The early construction which is prone to age with character, simple 38mm case sizes, and raw gold dials have an immense pull. It is not hard to see why this has become the most collected era of FP Journe. 

The Resonance is not just FP Journe at his best, though it is his signature. The Resonance is independent watchmaking at its best: inspired from Breguet pocket watches and pendulum clocks, then painstakingly evolved into wristwatch scale. This brass Resonance is a gorgeous specimen from these early years, when FP Journe was still struggling to sell his work—the hungry artist period. Foremost, however, it is a watch that offers a clear window into François-Paul's mind and his singleness of vision. You feel the young watchmaker's identity, ambition, and soul every time you set it. And that's what independent watchmaking should do: inspire.

This Chronomètre à Résonance presents in a well-preserved condition. The dial is sporting an attractive and distinctive patina which is highly representative of early brass production. This is from the shimmer timeline in production and it maintains that glistening lacquer. The outer yellow gold portion of its dial has warmed slightly and only just begun to oxidize entirely evenly. This early construction of original subdial has turned a warm, even silver, a deeply attractive patina. This stands far apart from the bright white of today. This platinum case shows age commensurate with occasional wear. The lugs sport only lighter signs of surface wear. There are superficial marks on the bezel which do not detract. The lugs show signs of strap changes and light scratches. It is in a lovely, honest state.The calibre 1499.2 is running well within specification on our timing equipment, service history unknown. It comes on the pictured JR strap, with its original platinum deployant clasp (rarely seen in itself) and complete set including extra straps.

This example is modelled on an average-sized 7-inch wrist.