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Lot Essay
The fourth and most recent iteration of F.P. Journe's Chronomètre à Résonance, the 'RQ' or 'Résonance Quatre', features the ingenious double remontoir d'égalité. Introduced in 2020 to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original model, this reference is available in either pink gold, as the present watch, or platinum, with dials in either white or pink gold.
The Résonance RQ is particularly special as it is the first full redesign of the model's appearance and movement since its introduction. The original Chronomètre à Résonance was powered by the 1499 calibre for 20 years. The new 1520 calibre, on the other hand, has been completely redesigned and brings with it a number of significant innovations. The new calibre is powered by a single barrel rather than the twin barrels of its predecessor. A differential that can be seen through the dial's aperture divides the barrel's power equally between two separate escapements. A perfectly constant supply of energy is ensured by the regulation of each train by its own one-second remontoire d'égalité. This represents a significant improvement as in previous generations, as the mainspring unwound, both balances would progressively lose amplitude. 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, made possible by the updated gear train layout.
The 'Series 4' maintains the essential DNA of the Résonance while adopting a more modern aesthetic. Instead of separate surrounds, a single large aperture now frames the twin dials, giving the watch a sleeker, more contemporary design. The left dial continues to display the 24-hour function introduced in the calibre 1499 20th Anniversary model.
The Chronomètre à Résonance
The Chronomètre à Résonance is arguably the best example of modern watchmaker François-Paul Journe's pure genius. It is still the only wristwatch in the world that uses the 'resonance' principle, a natural physical phenomenon that was first noticed by Christiaan Huygens in 1665 when he saw two pendulum clocks mounted on the same beam eventually swinging in perfect harmony. Journe greatly admires the work of Abraham-Louis Breguet and the great French horologist Antide Janvier, who both went on to further develop the idea. Breguet himself experimented with resonance in the early 19th century, producing three pocket watches with double balances. 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, one of the most important turning points in modern horology.
The Résonance RQ is particularly special as it is the first full redesign of the model's appearance and movement since its introduction. The original Chronomètre à Résonance was powered by the 1499 calibre for 20 years. The new 1520 calibre, on the other hand, has been completely redesigned and brings with it a number of significant innovations. The new calibre is powered by a single barrel rather than the twin barrels of its predecessor. A differential that can be seen through the dial's aperture divides the barrel's power equally between two separate escapements. A perfectly constant supply of energy is ensured by the regulation of each train by its own one-second remontoire d'égalité. This represents a significant improvement as in previous generations, as the mainspring unwound, both balances would progressively lose amplitude. 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, made possible by the updated gear train layout.
The 'Series 4' maintains the essential DNA of the Résonance while adopting a more modern aesthetic. Instead of separate surrounds, a single large aperture now frames the twin dials, giving the watch a sleeker, more contemporary design. The left dial continues to display the 24-hour function introduced in the calibre 1499 20th Anniversary model.
The Chronomètre à Résonance
The Chronomètre à Résonance is arguably the best example of modern watchmaker François-Paul Journe's pure genius. It is still the only wristwatch in the world that uses the 'resonance' principle, a natural physical phenomenon that was first noticed by Christiaan Huygens in 1665 when he saw two pendulum clocks mounted on the same beam eventually swinging in perfect harmony. Journe greatly admires the work of Abraham-Louis Breguet and the great French horologist Antide Janvier, who both went on to further develop the idea. Breguet himself experimented with resonance in the early 19th century, producing three pocket watches with double balances. 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, one of the most important turning points in modern horology.