Lot Essay
The fourth and most recent evolution of F.P. Journe’s Chronomètre à Résonance—the ‘RQ’ or ‘Résonance Quatre’ - features the ingenious double remontoir d'égalité. Launched in 2020 in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the original Chronomètre à Résonance, this reference is available in either pink gold, as seen in the present watch, or platinum, with dials in either white or pink gold.
The Résonance RQ is particularly remarkable as it marks the first complete overhaul of both the technical and design aspects of the model since its debut. While the original Résonance was powered by the calibre 1499 for the first 20 years, the new calibre 1520 movement has been entirely redesigned, incorporating several key technical innovations that ensure a constant and consistent power supply. Most notably, the movement now uses a single barrel instead of the twin barrels of the calibre 1499. This single barrel’s power is split into two equal portions by a differential, visible through the dial cut-out. As a result, the two independent escapements each receive their own constant power supply, regulated by a one-second remontoire d’égalité on each of the two gear trains. This consistent power delivery is a major advancement, as in the original Résonance, although both balance wheels oscillated at the same amplitude, their amplitude would decrease in unison as the power reserve diminished. Importantly, despite these innovations, the new calibre 1520 retains the 42-hour power reserve of the original calibre 1499. Another practical improvement is the repositioning of the winding crown from the 12 o’clock position to 2 o’clock, thanks to the new gear train layout.
The dial of the new Résonance RQ series embraces a contemporary aesthetic while preserving the classic design DNA of the Résonance. Instead of the two separate dials with individual frames, the new ‘Series 4’ models feature a single dial plate with a large frame encircling both dials. The left dial continues to display the 24-hour function introduced in the calibre 1499 20th Anniversary model. This timepiece represents rare opportunity to acquire the new Chronomètre à Résonance without delay.
The Chronomètre à Résonance
Perhaps the watch that most clearly showcases the sheer genius contemporary watchmaker François-Paul Journe. It is the only wristwatch in the world with a movement based on ‘resonance’, a natural physical phenomenon said to have been first discovered by Christiaan Huygens in 1665. Huygens noticed that two pendulum clocks, when hung together on the same beam would beat together in perfect synchronicity. An idea that was further experimented with by the great French clockmaker Antide Janvier and the legendary watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, both of whose work F.P. Journe greatly admires. F.P. Journe’s resonance watches notably feature two balances that are naturally synchronized and oscillate in ‘resonance’ with each other. The negative effects of wrist and body movements are hence considerably reduced. Breguet had experimented with the theory of resonance in watches in the early 19th century and indeed constructed three pocket watches using the two-balance system. With the development and production of the Chronomètre à Résonance, F.P. Journe became the first watchmaker to make a wristwatch constructed on the principle of resonance, an incredible achievement of modern horology.
The Résonance RQ is particularly remarkable as it marks the first complete overhaul of both the technical and design aspects of the model since its debut. While the original Résonance was powered by the calibre 1499 for the first 20 years, the new calibre 1520 movement has been entirely redesigned, incorporating several key technical innovations that ensure a constant and consistent power supply. Most notably, the movement now uses a single barrel instead of the twin barrels of the calibre 1499. This single barrel’s power is split into two equal portions by a differential, visible through the dial cut-out. As a result, the two independent escapements each receive their own constant power supply, regulated by a one-second remontoire d’égalité on each of the two gear trains. This consistent power delivery is a major advancement, as in the original Résonance, although both balance wheels oscillated at the same amplitude, their amplitude would decrease in unison as the power reserve diminished. Importantly, despite these innovations, the new calibre 1520 retains the 42-hour power reserve of the original calibre 1499. Another practical improvement is the repositioning of the winding crown from the 12 o’clock position to 2 o’clock, thanks to the new gear train layout.
The dial of the new Résonance RQ series embraces a contemporary aesthetic while preserving the classic design DNA of the Résonance. Instead of the two separate dials with individual frames, the new ‘Series 4’ models feature a single dial plate with a large frame encircling both dials. The left dial continues to display the 24-hour function introduced in the calibre 1499 20th Anniversary model. This timepiece represents rare opportunity to acquire the new Chronomètre à Résonance without delay.
The Chronomètre à Résonance
Perhaps the watch that most clearly showcases the sheer genius contemporary watchmaker François-Paul Journe. It is the only wristwatch in the world with a movement based on ‘resonance’, a natural physical phenomenon said to have been first discovered by Christiaan Huygens in 1665. Huygens noticed that two pendulum clocks, when hung together on the same beam would beat together in perfect synchronicity. An idea that was further experimented with by the great French clockmaker Antide Janvier and the legendary watchmaker Abraham-Louis Breguet, both of whose work F.P. Journe greatly admires. F.P. Journe’s resonance watches notably feature two balances that are naturally synchronized and oscillate in ‘resonance’ with each other. The negative effects of wrist and body movements are hence considerably reduced. Breguet had experimented with the theory of resonance in watches in the early 19th century and indeed constructed three pocket watches using the two-balance system. With the development and production of the Chronomètre à Résonance, F.P. Journe became the first watchmaker to make a wristwatch constructed on the principle of resonance, an incredible achievement of modern horology.