F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance Quatre

No one will fault you for wearing a Rolex around here. But if you want something truly special — something from a small batch made by hand each year — you’re going to have to look elsewhere.

You’re going to have to look at F.P. Journe.

Journe is one of the world’s foremost living watchmakers, having begun his studies at the age of 15. He received his watchmaking diploma at the École d'Horlogerie in Paris at the age of 19. His namesake timepieces are complicated works of horological art, the result of in-house ideation, design, and construction. In short: Journe is a master craftsman of the highest order, and his creations are some of the most desirable timepieces on Earth.

When the Chronomètre à Résonance made its debut in 2000, it did so as the world’s first-ever wrist watch that incorporated two resonating escapements — a truly special innovation that to this day remains as one of Journe’s astounding masterworks. Over the course of two decades, the Chronomètre à Résonance saw various aesthetic evolutions, but it was the F.P. Journe Calibre 1499.3 that remained as the steady signature for the ‘CR’. Buoyed by a couple of mainspring barrels and two independent balances, as well as a winding stem positioned at 12 o’clock, the Calibre 1499.3 allowed for the previously unseen resonance effect within a wris watch to occur through an exchange of rhythmic energy between its two oscillators and as a result, allowed for constant correction in any deviation between the two and an extreme display of accurate time keeping — akin to the Breguet résonance principle.

But the innovation did not stop there.

In 2020, as a the 20th anniversary celebration of the launch of the original Chronomètre à Résonance, F.P. Journe incorporated another one of their mechanical hallmarks into a new model — the Remontoire d’Egalité. Forged out of sold 18k rose gold, the Calibre 1520 still includes a double balance design, but instead of two mainspring barrels, it utilizes one that functions in tandem with a differential and an one-second remontoir d’egalité for each of the going trains — crazygeekyawesomeness.

This particular example is an off-catalog variant, offered only to Journe's longstanding clients. With a 40mm platinum case featuring  twin crowns with elegant ‘rope’ texturing and a salmon-toned dial, it beautifully presents both the 12 and 24-hour subsidiary dials and their respective small constant seconds display in symmetrical harmony. Also new to this Reference is a cleaner power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock and a visible differential mechanical component right down broadway. The silver subsidiary dials are framed by a polished partition and feature guilloché textured centers, ‘Arabic’ indices, ‘railroad’ minute and second tracks and matching, stylized, blued-steel handsets. 

One can appreciate and admire the mechanical marvel that is the F.P. Journe Calibre 1520 housed in this Chronomètre à Résonance through its sapphire exhibition caseback. All we can say is …  be prepared to be hypnotized by its 62 jewel, dual independent balance wheels and escapements and Journe's beautiful, signature hand-finishing throughout.

Offered with its original box set with warranty card dated June, 2022 and fitted to a signed green alligator leather strap with a signed platinum deployant buckle, the entire presentation of this special piece comes together exquisitely. This is a piece is a very special example of an already special reference — a rare bird amongst a collection of already-limited timepieces from the manufacture.

Take a close look and try to absorb all the technical details and superb finishing throughout. We’re certain you'll agree that this is nothing short of a masterpiece of horological design and mechanics!

François-Paul Journe is one of the most well respected independent watchmakers in the world. A three-time winner of the Aiguille d’Or grand prize from the Fondation du Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève, he is a watchmaker’s watchmaker, focusing on complicated pieces made in-house to the tune of roughly 800 watches per year.
Born in Marseille in 1957, Journe began his watchmaking education at just 15 years old, receiving his watchmaking diploma at the École d'Horlogerie in Paris in 1976. He opened a studio in Saint-Germain-des-Prés in 1985, and subsequently relocated to the Swiss Jura in 1989, where he began work on his first tourbillon wristwatch. Ten years later, he established his eponymous firm in Geneva.
F.P. Journe builds precision chronometers outfitted with cases from its own case maker, and dials from its own dial maker. Each timepiece is printed with the motto ‘Invenit et Fecit,’ Latin for ‘(He) invented it and made it,’ indicating in-house construction, vertical integration, and the highest possible standards. The recipient of numerous patents, Journe’s horological innovations have earned him plaudits from across the industry.
Today, F.P. Journe operates 10 boutiques around the world. Its incredibly well regarded wares have raised over two million CHF for various charities via auctions, only furthering to cement both the brand and the man in the annals of horological history.

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Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.