Complications
Jay (Eire)'s insightful post delves into the notoriously temperamental nature of the F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance, a complication revered for its horological ambition but often challenging in execution. He highlights F.P. Journe's own admission regarding the incredibly tight tolerances required for the Resonance to function as intended, emphasizing how even the slightest deviation can compromise the entire system. This discussion remains highly relevant for collectors considering this iconic, yet complex, timepiece.
We all know that not every Resonance has worked as intended for their owners
Several members here have had that direct experience, and for certain it must be frustrating.
I’ve also heard stories of others with similar issues, important collectors and customers of Journe. The Resonance does not discriminate!
Talking to some of this temperamental behavior of the Resonance, F.P. has said that for the watch to work the tolerance for even the tiniest of errors or deviations in the initial assembly is very very low, more so than any other movement.
Each balance wheel must deviate by less than 5 secs in all six positions.
The shape of the balance spring must be almost identical. Every setting must be precise.
If one component part, or gear, is not to standard the this risks the entire system.
Again, this may seem obvious and intuitively it should be the case for all watches. But Journe stressed that for the Resonance these sensitivities were amplified.
In general my take away from any interaction with Journe is that sometimes it’s more art than science, by that I mean he often responds in generalities instead of details, a little vague perhaps when you really want specific answers.
But that was always the charm here; if I wanted graphs and data on chronometric performance of a single tourbillon versus a double versus a triple versus an inclined double then I can go ask Stephen Forsay and he’d have a presentation, numbers , graphs and all, right there in his pocket. (This is not a slight on GF, horses for courses that’s all).
I’m genuinely excited to see the new Resonance despite the fact that I will never own one (unless I somehow win the Powerball, National Lottery, Lotería Nacional, Mark Six etc). This in itself is unusual for me as once something is out of range I generally pay little attention (and that has been true for other Journe watches too). But this one is different because for me the Resonance is Journe. Not the CB, the Resonance.
The Chronomètre à Résonance represents F.P. Journe's entry in the Souveraine collection, distinguished by its resonance complication. This reference utilizes the principle of resonance between two independent escapements to enhance chronometric precision.
The 40mm case is crafted in 18k rose gold with a fixed bezel and sapphire crystal. The silver dial houses the manual-winding caliber 1499 movement, offering a 42-hour power reserve. Water resistance is rated to 30 meters, and the watch is completed with a leather strap.
This reference appeals to collectors focused on haute horlogerie complications and independent watchmaking. The resonance mechanism positions this piece as a technical showcase within F.P. Journe's manual-winding offerings. Production began in 2000, establishing this as part of the brand's contemporary catalog for collectors seeking advanced chronometric functions.
Much too reserved in my emotions about not being able to attain a CB Bleu. Well, the movement does not disappoint!
Resonance always seemed to be a little hocus pocus in my highly unscientific mind. I have my doubts but I’m certainly glad it exists and is there for the collector’s who want it.
The Resonance is a great idea but for me a watch must be reliable and accurate. Despite being the signature Journe, after reading the mixed reviews on the Resonance. I can imagine it can be quite stressful to own. Watches for me are designed to provide pleasure and zero stress
I agree and I disagree with your statement. It can be a temperamental piece. However my feeling is this is particularly true for the first generation, if it is not well adjusted and still it can drift. My personal belief is it was constructed to an other standard than the later 1499.2 and 1499.3. I now own my third Resonance. The first was a brass and it never synced properly and the winding I found tedious. The previous and the current I have, have both been the 1499.2 iteration. I can honestly
FPJ Resonance captured me as well years ago, when I was a 90-hour-per-week trainee hardly making ends meet. That fascination is forever young.
Resonance is one of my favorite Journe pieces.
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