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Descriptif du lot
Pre-Soucription 00R
Previously unknown. From the original family, carefully kept for over two decades, comes with full accessories and in impeccable condition
We are tremendously excited to unveil a new and highly important addition to the known examples of F.P. Journe’s Pre-Souscription Chronomètre à Résonance. A sensational and significant new discovery in every sense, this spectacularly untouched Pre-Souscription Chronomètre à Résonance has been consigned directly by the family of original owner. Previously unknown and unrecorded, it has been so carefully kept by its original owner that the condition is impeccable, with no sign of polishing or intervention. It is also accompanied by the full set of original Certificate of Authenticity, booklet, and boxes.
This watch, no. 56/00R is the second-to-last specimen of the Pre-Souscription series so far known. Its remarkable untouched state of preservation means that it exhibits all the beautiful and charming original traits of early Chronomètre à Résonance. As such, this watch represents an incredible and perhaps unrepeatable opportunity for purist collectors who seek only the very best examples for their collections.
Shallow engraving in "Pre-Souscription" series
The numbering of F.P. Journe’s watches does not strictly follow the order in which they were produced. Whilst the numbers 1-20 were reserved for the Souscription Chronomètre à Résonance, they were not the first watches to actually be made. These pieces, including the present watch, pre-date the 1-20 numbered Souscription series and are described as ‘Pre-Souscription’. The ‘Pre-Souscription’ numbering is usually outside the 1-20 range (the present watch numbered 056/00R) and the engraving on the edge of the case back is extremely shallow. In comparison, the engraving of the case inscriptions of the official ‘Souscription’ series and in later series is thicker, bolder and engraved much more deeply.
Early "Shimmering" dial
To the intensely beautiful yellow gold dial that exhibits the loosely worked surface ‘shimmer’ and ‘shine’ that is only found in the early period dials that were finished by F.P. Journe in his manufacture.
Early "Two-Tone" Sub-dials and "thick" seconds hands
Similarly, the meantime and seconds dials of early watches such as this are ‘two-tone’ silver with white centres that feature finer guilloché than later versions. A very rare feature of particular note are the two seconds hands that can be seen to have off-centre or eccentric pierced circular loops to the tail, found only on the very early specimens of Chronomètre à Résonance, but even among this rarefied group are very seldom encountered because this form of seconds hand was routinely replaced during servicing with the later type with perfectly centred loops.
It is an undeniable pleasure to study and absorb the nuances and smallest details of F.P. Journe’s early production where the handmade feel and immense character of the then fledgling independent brand can be appreciated most.
As an epochal model of F.P. Journe’s production, the Chronomètre à Résonance is so closely associated with François-Paul Journe himself that it is always incredibly sought after. Naturally, the earliest and scarcest examples are at the highest level of desirability for collectors and are unquestionably considered to be of world-class importance.
François-Paul Journe’s early work has become highly appreciated as exceptional works of art, their incredible horological complexity harmonises perfectly with the delicacy of hand-made details such as the gold dials and case engravings which have often softened and mellowed to a sublime patina that cannot be replicated and is only found on these early masterpieces.
The Chronomètre à Résonance
Perhaps the watch that most clearly showcases the sheer genius contemporary watchmaker François-Paul Journe. It was the first 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. François-Paul 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, François-Paul Journe became the first watchmaker to make a wristwatch constructed on the principle of resonance, an incredible achievement of modern horology.
Previously unknown. From the original family, carefully kept for over two decades, comes with full accessories and in impeccable condition
We are tremendously excited to unveil a new and highly important addition to the known examples of F.P. Journe’s Pre-Souscription Chronomètre à Résonance. A sensational and significant new discovery in every sense, this spectacularly untouched Pre-Souscription Chronomètre à Résonance has been consigned directly by the family of original owner. Previously unknown and unrecorded, it has been so carefully kept by its original owner that the condition is impeccable, with no sign of polishing or intervention. It is also accompanied by the full set of original Certificate of Authenticity, booklet, and boxes.
This watch, no. 56/00R is the second-to-last specimen of the Pre-Souscription series so far known. Its remarkable untouched state of preservation means that it exhibits all the beautiful and charming original traits of early Chronomètre à Résonance. As such, this watch represents an incredible and perhaps unrepeatable opportunity for purist collectors who seek only the very best examples for their collections.
Shallow engraving in "Pre-Souscription" series
The numbering of F.P. Journe’s watches does not strictly follow the order in which they were produced. Whilst the numbers 1-20 were reserved for the Souscription Chronomètre à Résonance, they were not the first watches to actually be made. These pieces, including the present watch, pre-date the 1-20 numbered Souscription series and are described as ‘Pre-Souscription’. The ‘Pre-Souscription’ numbering is usually outside the 1-20 range (the present watch numbered 056/00R) and the engraving on the edge of the case back is extremely shallow. In comparison, the engraving of the case inscriptions of the official ‘Souscription’ series and in later series is thicker, bolder and engraved much more deeply.
Early "Shimmering" dial
To the intensely beautiful yellow gold dial that exhibits the loosely worked surface ‘shimmer’ and ‘shine’ that is only found in the early period dials that were finished by F.P. Journe in his manufacture.
Early "Two-Tone" Sub-dials and "thick" seconds hands
Similarly, the meantime and seconds dials of early watches such as this are ‘two-tone’ silver with white centres that feature finer guilloché than later versions. A very rare feature of particular note are the two seconds hands that can be seen to have off-centre or eccentric pierced circular loops to the tail, found only on the very early specimens of Chronomètre à Résonance, but even among this rarefied group are very seldom encountered because this form of seconds hand was routinely replaced during servicing with the later type with perfectly centred loops.
It is an undeniable pleasure to study and absorb the nuances and smallest details of F.P. Journe’s early production where the handmade feel and immense character of the then fledgling independent brand can be appreciated most.
As an epochal model of F.P. Journe’s production, the Chronomètre à Résonance is so closely associated with François-Paul Journe himself that it is always incredibly sought after. Naturally, the earliest and scarcest examples are at the highest level of desirability for collectors and are unquestionably considered to be of world-class importance.
François-Paul Journe’s early work has become highly appreciated as exceptional works of art, their incredible horological complexity harmonises perfectly with the delicacy of hand-made details such as the gold dials and case engravings which have often softened and mellowed to a sublime patina that cannot be replicated and is only found on these early masterpieces.
The Chronomètre à Résonance
Perhaps the watch that most clearly showcases the sheer genius contemporary watchmaker François-Paul Journe. It was the first 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. François-Paul 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, François-Paul Journe became the first watchmaker to make a wristwatch constructed on the principle of resonance, an incredible achievement of modern horology.