Brass Movement FP Journe Chronomètre à Résonance

Patek owns the perpetual calendar chronograph. If I say GMT you’re thinking of the soda company synonymous, not Omega. MB&F invented, and now owns, the double chronograph (not to be confused with split seconds). Almost every watch complication has a luminary entrant that dominants enthusiast headspace. FP Journe may have started with the tourbillon, but, if I say resonance, despite Armin Strom’s very noble efforts, you’re thinking of this. See, while Breguet got to both the tourbillon and resonance well before Journe, everyone had forgotten about the one Breguet resonance pocket watch; the tourbillon was always well explored territory. Until one rather austere Frenchman.

In 2004, FP Journe made a fairly monumental shift to begin manufacturing all of their movements from 18k gold, following brass. It is estimated that, across all models, just 2000 watches were manufactured prior to this shift. What you’re looking at is a brass movement Resonance. In addition, these watches feature dials made (confusingly) of solid yellow gold, delicately textured. The naked gold is prone to oxidize over time, leaving a patina and lustre to the dials of Journes early work not seen since. And all this glory is cased in 38mm instead of the latter 40. That alone is worth celebrating. If the Resonance is Journe’s signature work, this is its signature flavor. And they’re increasingly difficult to come by.

Perhaps most, though, I love this Resonance because it’s a married couple in watch form. Two independent balances, regulated toward a medium by nothing but the air between them. It reminds me all kinds of emergent natural phenomena that is truly interesting, even a bit romantic. Dogs start to move like their owners. Strangers to new lands will adopt the speech patterns of those around them in small ways to stand out less. Two people on a first date will start to mirror small tweaks in body language to show attraction. Everything I just listed has pretty credible studies supporting, I’ve double checked just now. Resonance isn’t just physical. But if it had to have a physical form, I believe Journe may have found its best ever.

This example is just starting to show that oxidation pattern that makes Journe people go weak at the knees. Its case shows light to moderate surface wear, it’s not a safe queen and I’d say it’s better for it. With one exception; someone needs a bit more practice changing straps, the lug backs tell a few tales. Otherwise, it’s excellent and comes with a full set from a well-regarded Swiss retailer.

Find this Brass Resonance here from K2 Luxury for 410000 USD.