In the contemporary world of independent horology, F.P. Journe stands alone as arguably the most influential, prolific, and pioneering watchmaker of our era, and arguably no model better encapsulates his philosophy towards watchmaking, movement design, and style than the Resonance. Released in 2000 — one year after the launch of Journe’s eponymous brand — the Resonance has gone through a variety of design iterations and considerable evolution.
Today, we're taking a look at the full history of the Resonance, from its origins in classically-inspired watchmaking to its context within the evolution of the Journe brand. Through the Resonance, you'll also gain an appreciation for the Journe collector world more broadly. Let’s dive in.
The Origins of Resonance in Watchmaking
Brilliant scientist Christiann Huygens, inventor of the pendulum clock in the 17th century, was the first recorded individual to observe the concept of "resonance" in horology, noticing that two separate pendulum clocks eventually synchronized with one another when placed in close proximity.
An early pendulum clocks by Christiaan Huygens alongside his 1673 treatise Horologium Oscillatorium (right) - (Image by Big Think)
According to historical records, the first horologist to truly utilize resonance concept for timekeeping purposes was master clockmaker Antide Janvier, the royal clockmaker to King Louis XVI. Janvier placed two pendulums in the same clock and noted that the two synchronized and countered one another's chronometric inefficiencies. Perhaps Janvier’s most brilliant invention had two different pendulums swinging in opposition to one another to cancel vibrations that might affect the exterior of the pendulum. Swiss-French watchmaker Abraham-Louis then brought resonance from clocks to portable watchmaking — first by developing two pendulum clocks much like Janvier’s, and later by utilizing the principle in the development of a pocket watch with a double escapement.
Journe Makes His Mark
François-Paul Journe - (Image by Swisswatches Magazine)
While each of these makers played a significant role in the development of the resonance thesis, it was F.P. Journe that caused resonance to truly take flight in contemporary watchmaking. The idea was that if two independent watch movements were placed in the same watch case and the balance wheels are located in extremely close proximity, the two will synchronize opposite one another, oscillating in opposite directions. This means that if one were to wear a Resonance watch and move one's wrist sharply in one direction, the motion would speed up one balance and slow down the other. The result is that the two escapements "cancel one another out" as they regain resonance and pull each other back in exact opposition.
Understanding the concept of resonance and carting it over unto wristwatch form was a brilliant achievement, and required the navigation of a long road: Journe was an unofficial student of Breguet and Janvier, and there’s no doubt that their experimentation with resonance lit the spark in him to build a resonance pocket watch in 1983. However, by 1985, Journe ceased working on resonance pieces, disappointed in their performance. Then, in 1990, he decided it was a good time to reimagine the resonance movement for a wristwatch. His work began in 1994 and by 1998, he had a working prototype, which he secretly wore to the Basel fair that year.
Souscription and Pre-Souscription Resonance
A set of all five F.P. Journe Souscription models - (Image by Hodinkee)
Journe officially presented the Resonance in 2000 with a “souscription” series, wherein customers would fork over percentage of the watch's price as a down payment to help finance the creation of a set of general-production Resonance watches — a concept borrowed from the Breguet workshops of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Interestingly, a variety of Resonance watches were presented even earlier, and are often referred to today as “Pre-Souscription” pieces. These early generations of the resonance were made in 38mm cases with brass movements — two details that were phased out in the early 2000s and which are now treasured by collectors.
The 40mm Resonance and Anniversary 'Parking Meter' Edition
Ruthenium Complete Set with brass movements covered in ruthenium - (Image by F.P. Journe)By 2004, Journe was offering the Resonance in an updated 40mm sizing with rose gold movements, and shortly thereafter, the 38mm Resonance was all but phased out. There were a variety of 38mm resonances — including a Ruthenium 99-piece limited edition — but all told, not more than 500 38mm Resonances are estimated to have been made. Across all model lines, Journe produced roughly 2,000 brass movements.
F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance 'Parking Meter' - IN THE SHOP
Next, to celebrate 10 years of the Resonance, Journe announced an updated Anniversary edition, this time replacing the dual subdials with a unique 'parking meter' utilizing a radial display to show the time on rotating discs. This watch was striking in aesthetics and unlike anything featured in the collection before.
The 2019 Resonance and 2020 Resonance
The 'parking meter' was made until 2019 when Journe presented one more interesting twist for the classic Resonance layout — this time, replacing the 'parking meter' dial with a 24-hour dial for the second time display. This brought back the symmetry of the Resonance collection but with one slight stylistic alteration. The 2019 Resonance reference RT was made for only one year before Journe overhauled the collection completely with a redesigned model.
The latest, fully redesigned Resonance was launched in 2020 and is still currently in production. Made in both 40 and 42mm variations, this updated watch is largely built around a new movement. Whereas the original Resonance had two barrels — one for each movement — the new model has a shared barrel wound from a repositioned crown on the side of the watch rather than one positioned at 12 o’clock. Additionally, to increase precision, Journe set each secondary gear train with a remontoir constant-force mechanism. This is one of the signature enhancements Journe often places on his watches, from the Tourbillon Souverain to the Chronometre Optimum, and it was a natural fit for the Resonance as well.
The front of the watch is also redesigned, featuring the 12- and 24-hour dials characteristic of the 2019 Resonance RT mentioned above but now flaunting a cutout at the center provides a look into the movement. Unlike earlier Resonances, the two timekeeping displays overlap slightly, causing their dials to mesh together at the center where the movement cutout is placed.
Legacy of the Resonance
There you have it — one of the most interesting, complicated, and emblematic timepieces in Journe’s catalog. A symbol of the Journe brand, but also of the broader success of modern independent watchmaking. This is the model that put Journe on the map, grabbing the attention of the global market upon its release in 2000 and helping to catapult Journe into the broader watch world as a definitive master of complicated horology.
Journe wasn’t simply copying the work of others going down the conventional path of typical complications — he was pioneering his own mark on the industry, pushing the limits of mechanical timepiece construction to do something new, different, and groundbreaking. In essence, he was being the Journe we know today.
