F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance

In celebration of the Chronomètre à Résonance‘s 20th anniversary, F.P. Journe is introducing a new model. The new 2020 Chronomètre à Résonance is notably different to its predecessors, which were discontinued last year. Crucially, it has a brand new rose-gold calibre (1520), which powers the watch using a single (rather than the previous double) mainspring barrel. Resonance watches are extremely challenging to create; they require two balances to sync up and beat in harmony (thanks to the resonance phenomenon), omitting any mechanical transmission. This keeps both balances at a much more stable rate.

The highly complex 2020 model sticks to using traditional materials. It is housed in a case made from either platinum or 18-carat 6N rose gold, available in either 40 or 42 mm. The case itself has also been redesigned, with the a crown now positioned at 2 o’clock to wind the watch and set the time. Meanwhile, the second crown lies at 4 o’clock and simultaneously resets both small seconds. Meanwhile, the dial is either created with 18-carat white or 6N gold.

The two hour whitened silver hour subdials are decorated with guilloché clous de Paris. The subdial at 9 o’clock indicates the home timezone on a 24-hour-scale, while the subdial at 3 o’clock indicates local hours. Blued steel hands add a splash of colour to the subdials. Furthermore, two small seconds indications are placed below each dial, while the watch’s power reserve is shown at 12 o’clock. Finally, the watch calibre’s differential system is partly exposed in the centre of the dial.

As before, the new Chronomètre à Résonance still features its recognisable double balance design. The highly complex hand-wound movement consists of 378 components and 62 jewels. It has a 48-hour power reserve and a frequency of 3 Hz. The calibre 1520 in rose-gold has only one, large barrel spring, which provides power for both movements. A differential on the first wheel serves to transmit balance spring’s energy to the two secondary gear trains. Both independent gear trains are equipped with the manufacture’s one-second frequency remontoir d’égalité mechanism, providing constant force to their individual escapements. This is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.

Notably, the calibre’s ‘efficient running time’ is roughly 28 hours, as after this amount of time, the mainspring can no longer rewind the remontoir d’égalité spring. Therefore, the watch should be wound daily in order to ensure optimal performance.

The Chronomètre à Résonance will be available in boutiques from mid-2020. Although the watches are not a limited edition, they are currently limited in their production. The watch is presented on either a black alligator leather strap (two variations available) or an 18-carat 6N gold bracelet. It is water-resistant to 30 m.

fpjourne.com

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