Journe, François-Paul

François-Paul Journe was born in Marseille in March 1957. He entered awatchmaking school at the age of 14 and after two years, moved to Paristo continue his studies, where he obtained his diploma two years later.During his studies, he worked with his uncle Michel Journe, a specialistin restoration of antique clocks and watches. During the time and forthe next eight years, he had the chance to work on and to study objectsfrom the very beginnings of mechanical horology through today.In 1985,he decided to open his own workshop on rue de Verneuil, in the heart ofthe artists quarter of Paris, and start to make complicated watches of hisown design for several international collectors. He joined the AcadémieHorlogère des Créateurs Indépendants, A.H.C.I. (Horological Academy ofIndependent Creators), in 1986 and started to be a regular exhibitor atthe International Clock and Watch Fair of Basel.

Only two years after his professional independence, he received thehonors of the Bleustein Blanchet Fondation, created in 1960 to fosterand reward outstanding achievement in the professional world. And so,he received the Laureate Prize of the Fondation de la Vocation, a verywell recognized and esteemed distinction.In 1989, he was honored bythe horological spanish academy who delivered him the golden prizeof Balancier d’or for his global work. His boundless creativity pushedhim to create the same year, with a small group of colleagues, theManufacture company, Technique Horlogères Appliquées S.A. (T.H.A.) inSwitzerland, specialized in developments and manufacturing of complexand innovative products, most of which were conceived by François PaulJourne for several famous brands.

Established since then in Geneva, he created in 1988, Montres JourneS.A., located at the rue des Maraîchers 5 in Geneva. He developedand manufactured complex and innovative products for many majorcompanies such as Piaget with The Grande Sonnerie, Cartier with the Mysterious clocks and watches for Asprey, Breguet, Corum amongothers.

Apart from the complex wristwatches and pocket watches that FrançoisPaul Journe has made in recent years, he has designed and built asophisticated version of the Pendule Sympathique, originally for Asprey.A clock which incorporates a minute-repeating pocket watch and atourbillon wristwatch wound and set to time by the clock! An exceptionaland unique creation in chronometer engineering, the Resonance SystemChronometer exhibits the so-called resonance, physics phenomenonduly applied to the science of horology.

A world first, this wristwatch uses two entirely independent movementswhich inter-operate in sympathy with each other for a wearing precisionwhich exceeds the established limits for mechanical wristwatches.Thephysical phenomenon of resonance forms an integral part of our dailylives, yet we scarcely pay any attention to it. When searching for a specificprogram on our radio, the radio crackles in so far as the waves selectedhave not encountered other waves, those of the radio transmitter,until they become harmonised. In the past, Napoleon once forbade his troops to march over a bridge for fear of it collapsing from the effects of resonance! Although this phenomenon is proven and acknowledged, iis still difficult to explain.

Until recently, the phenomena of resonance were not well understood but had already been pointed out as early as the 17th century, by Christian Huygens in particular, among several other scientists. For instance, the highly precision Constant Pressure regulators, still in use less than 40 years ago at the Observatory of Paris for the Bureau International de l’heure and the radio broadcast time signal sent from the Eifel Tower, were fitted in the Catacombes beneath at a depth of 26 meters to eliminate fluctuations in temperature and atmospheric pressure, were also set in separated rooms, in order to avoid any resonance interference.
However as early as the end of the 18th century, a few clockmakers among the most eminent, found a way to take advantage of the success of such a phenomenon, by synchronising the pendulums of regulators fitted with two independent movements. Even more so, when applied to a watch, it ensures exceptional operating reliability and precision. When you make a sudden movement, the two movements clash in opposite directions and gradually come to operate in sympathy as a result of the force of resonance. As they are inter-attracted, they oscillate together in unison, an invisible wave linking the two balances. This timepiece is the only precision chronometer which is not affected by the movements of the wearer. The balances oscillate in natural opposition and therefore absorb the shocks and compensate the disturbances in order to ensure identical regularity whether it is worn or not.

After deciding to launch his own brand, an idea was born to help with the early funding of the brand to produce a model that customers would pay in advance and receive at a later date.
The concept for the Journe Tourbillon Souscription was born with twenty numbered pieces on the dial offered to close friends of Francois Paul.

Presented at Basel in 1999, the watch received great feedback and shortly after, the next Souscription model was born this time in the now iconic Resonance concept. Only 20 were made, numbered on the case, and offered to the same clients who had supported the launch of the first model. Never offered at auction before, this first Resonance is now part of horological history and is an extremely rare opportunity to acquire the 13th example ever made, a must-have for any serious independent watch collector. Furthermore, according the Journe website, only 10 examples were made in 38 mm. with a platinum case, yellow dial and sub-dials in silver.

The first prototype of the Souscription Resonance Number 000 was completed for and sold at the Antiquorum Auction “The Longitude at the Eve of the Third Millenary” in October 1999 and we are greatly honoured to auction another historical example, offered for the first time at auction.