Chronomètre à Résonance - Brass | Ref. R | Platinum

This is one of the last examples of the Chronomètre à Résonance* to feature the brass calibre 1499. Paired with a "04" 38mm platinum case, it sits towards the very end of the early Resonnace line and one of the highest serial numbers we have seen. The dial is lustrous pink gold with the twin time displays in set against a silver backdrop. The watch comes with its original boxes and paperwork. F. P. Journe unsuccessfully attempted to deploy the phenomenon of resonance – first observed by Christiaan Huygens, Antide Janvier and Abraham-Louis Breguet – in a pocket watch in 1983. It is rooted in the idea that during the normal functioning of a balance and escapement, a certain amount of energy is lost. By placing another balance and escapement in close proximity, with the two set ups beating in opposite directions, the dissipating energy would cause both to acoustically influence each other, and eventually they would sync and beat at the same rate. In the watchmaking context, Journe was the first to term this acoustic resonance. He was able to hone the phenomenon in a wristwatch some fifteen years after his initial attempt, with the prototypes displayed at his first Basel Fair in 1999. Ever since, the line has gained a mythical status among collectors. The last of the brass calibres This is one of the ultimate examples of the manually wound rhodium-plated brass calibre 1499 placed in one of the cases from 2004. This was the last year of the historic brass calibre movements, with the manufacture moving to 18k solid gold versions by the end of the same year. It features 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 bridges are decorated with horizontal striping while the edges are bevelled and polished. The baseplate wears circular graining. Case and dial The case is in the coveted, and now discontinued, 38mm size and crafted from platinum. It stands just over 9mm tall. It bears the familiar construction – the rounded bezel meets the flat midcase in a small lip, with this detail also marking the edge of the display caseback. The short, turned down lugs, equal in width to the midcase, flow organically from it. The lugs are 20mm apart and are fitted with a large-grained brown leather strap secured by a signed platinum pin buckle. It comes with an additional, large-grained black leather strap. The slim crown integrated between in the case between the top lugs helps set both time displays while the more pronounced crown at 4 o’clock is designed to wind the movement. Pulling out this crown also helps reset and synchronise the twin seconds indicators. This is the most visible way of enforcing resonance – on its own the two balances sync up more gradually. The caseback features deep engravings detailing the brand mark and motto, serial number and the precious metal it is crafted from. Worth noting are the Elinor and French as well as Swiss hallmarks on the case. These are indicators of this example’s early provenance. The erstwhile French casemaker Elinor worked extensively with F. P. Journe, with the brand later acquiring the foundry. The lustrous pink gold dial lends warmth to the white metal case. It hosts two silver time displays that mirror each other’s form. They are framed by high polished stainless-steel with the time displays coated white. They are pad printed with Arabic minutes and hours chapters in the brand’s signature font. Both chapters also feature subsidiary seconds registers. The centre of the time display is adorned with a clous de Paris pattern. The displays can be independently set to display the time in two zones around the world. At 12 o’clock lies a marine chronometre-style power reserve indicator counting down 40 hours since the mainspring was fully wound. The time displays and the power reserve hands are of the brand’s signature variety and heat blued. They offer a hint of vibrance to an otherwise restrained dial-side appearance. The context The Chronomètre à Résonance is perhaps the most consequential watch F. P. Journe has produced. Its classical 38mm size contains the seminal innovation of one of the most important independent watchmakers. This example with the brass calibre 1499 represents one of the very last of the original vision of the Chronomètre à Résonance. Closer look Brand: F. P. Journe Model: Chronomètre à Résonance - Brass ref. R Movement: manual-winding calibre 1499 Functions: dual chronograph, hours and minutes, power reserve indicator Features: rhodium plated brass movement, display back Case material: platinum Case diameter: 38mm Case thickness: 9.1mm Lug-to-lug: 46 Crystal: sapphire front & back Strap: F. P. Journe tan alligator strap; F. P. Journe black alligator strap, F. P. Journe platinum pin buckle Lug width: 20 x 19mm (curved) Year: 2004 Accompanying materials: F. P. Journe outer box & inner wooden box Condition This F. P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance is presented in very good overall condition. The case and lugs display light signs of wear, consisting primarily of very fine superficial marks to the surface of the material, most notably on the reverse of the lugs. The dial exhibits natural signs of age, with some tarnishing visible along the left, right, and upper portions where the dial meets the case. The hands and movement are free from notable imperfections and have been exceptionally well preserved. All hallmarks and engravings remain crisp and well defined. Warranty The watch comes with a two-year, limited warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.