by Kyle Stults on March 30, 2010
-Invenit et Fecit-
2010 commemorates the 10 year anniversary of the F.P. Journe “Chronomètre à Resonance”, a watch that is part of elite watchmaker François-Paul Journe’s highly coveted Souveraine collection. In a slight tweak from the prior variation (circa 2004), this new edition now features a 24 hour indicator located at the 9′oclock position instead of 12 hour time. Journe also continues his tradition of crafting the double-balance wheel movement out of 18K rose gold, a F.P. Journe “first” when the 2004 Chronomètre à Résonance was introduced. As for the case, the new Chronomètre a Résonance will be available in two versions: platinum or 18K red gold — of course these are the only metals Journe sees fit to use for his cases. You can read more about the “resonance” effect of this watch below.
F.P.Journe Chronomètre a Résonance with 24 hour indicator
38mm or 40mm case size (9mm height), 24h indicator with small seconds on the left, local time with small seconds on the right, power reserve at 11 o’clock
Caliber 1499.3 manual winding movement, 40 hour power reserve
If you are interested in a full on review of this watch (actually it is the earlier variation), Felipe Jordão of “ThePurists” wrote an excellent review in Feb’05 – loaded with pics and info – just click HERE to see it!
Resonance – Did you know?
The first applications of the resonance phenomenon in horological science date back to the 18th century, by French master watchmaker Antide Janvier (†1840). He observed the negative effects of these waves on clocks and then conducted his own research on ways of using this phenomenon in the operating of regulators.
Any animate body transmits a vibration to its environment. When another body picks up this vibration, it absorbs its energy and begins to vibrate at the same frequency. The first is called the “exciter” and the second the “resonator”. This physical phenomenon known as “resonance” is an integral part of our daily life and yet we hardly even notice it. When we are looking for a program on the radio, it crackles until the chosen wavelengths meet those of the transmitter: only then do they harmonise to begin resonating together!
In the case of the this resonance wristwatch created by François-Paul journe, each balance alternately serves as exciter and resonator. When both balances are in motion, they reach a state of “sympathy” throught the effect of resonance and began to beat naturally in the opposite direction. The two balances therefore support each other, giving greater inertia to their movement. This harmony is only possible if the difference in frequency between the two is no more than five seconds per day accumulated in 6 positions. Adjusting them is an extremely delicate task. While an external disturbing movement affects the running of a traditional mechanical watch, in the case of a resonance watch this same disturbance has the effect of accelerating one of the balances and slowing down the other. Little by little, the two balances come back together to reach a point of agreement and thereby eliminate the disturbance. This innovative chronometer offers a level of precision that is unrivalled among mechanical watches.
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