Phillips Corrects Chronomètre à Résonance Delivery Date After F.P. Journe Statement
Auction House Walks Back Claim After Watchmaker Issues Official Correction
The watch auction world witnessed an unusual correction this week when Phillips, one of the leading watch auction houses, publicly acknowledged an error regarding the delivery date of a significant F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance. The correction came after the renowned French watchmaker François-Paul Journe personally issued a statement clarifying the facts about this pre-production timepiece.
What Happened: The Original Claim
Phillips had announced that the "Pre-Production" Chronomètre à Résonance 022/99, scheduled for auction on November 7-8 in Geneva, was delivered in 1999. The auction house also suggested the watch could be one of the first commercially delivered examples of the iconic Résonance reference, which has an estimate of CHF 500,000 to CHF 1 million.
| Detail | Original Claim | Corrected Information |
|---|---|---|
| Delivery Date | 1999 | June 8, 2000 |
| Production Status | Potentially first delivered | Third month of production |
| Serial Number | 022/99 | 022/99 (unchanged) |
| Auction Date | November 7-8 | November 7-8 (unchanged) |
| Estimate | CHF 500,000-1,000,000 | CHF 500,000-1,000,000 (unchanged) |
F.P. Journe's Official Statement
F.P. Journe issued a formal letter titled "Correction" that disputed Phillips' claims. The watchmaker stated: "The first Chronomètre à Résonance was delivered on March 10, 2000. As for No. 022/99R, it was delivered on June 8, 2000, three months later. During those 3 months, others were delivered elsewhere in the world. I am keeping the serial number of the first R delivered confidential."
Journe emphasized his commitment to accuracy: "I am very often dismayed by the untruths I read about us. There are 'experts' who know F.P. JOURNE better than I do. Yet it is hardly difficult to gather information, to write and tell the truth."
Phillips Responds: "We Stand Corrected"
In its Instagram correction, Phillips acknowledged the error: "We stand corrected thanks to François-Paul Journe. The 'Pre-Production' Chronomètre à Résonance 022/99 to be offered by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo on November 7-8 was not delivered in 1999 as we originally believed. Thanks to F.P.Journe we now know the watch was actually delivered on 8 June, 2000."
The auction house maintained that the watch remains significant: "The Chronometre à Résonance 022/99, whilst not being the first one delivered, remains the lowest commercially available number at the time (numbers 1-20 with case numbers 01/00-20/00 were reserved for the Souscription pieces), and 021/99 was retained by Journe himself."
Impact on Auction Value
The correction could influence the final hammer price. Collectors often place premium value on watches delivered early in a production run, with the first delivered example typically considered most desirable. Another early Résonance, serial number 007, sold for a record $13.9 million at Phillips in New York in June, becoming the fifth most expensive watch ever sold at auction.
Key Specifications of the Résonance 022/99:
- Serial Number: 022/99
- Case Material: Rose Gold
- Dial: Shiny Pink Gold
- Features: Shallow engraving on caseback
- Provenance: From original owner
- Status: Pre-production model
The Significance of the Chronomètre à Résonance
Introduced in 1998 as a prototype, with commercial Souscription pieces delivered beginning in 2000, the Chronomètre à Résonance represents the first time the concept of "résonance" – combining two movements with separate balances into a single case and bringing them into synchronization – was brought to a wristwatch. For many collectors, this model represents the ultimate expression of Journe's vision and talent as a watchmaker.
FAQ
Q: Will this correction affect the auction estimate?
A: While Phillips has not changed the estimate of CHF 500,000 to CHF 1 million, the correction removes the "first delivered" premium that some collectors may have been willing to pay. However, the watch remains one of the earliest commercially available examples.
Q: Why is F.P. Journe so concerned about accuracy?
A: According to Hodinkee, Journe stated that his purpose is "not to punish anyone, but to protect buyers. We are also trying to protect them from counterfeit pieces, tampered watches, and the like."
Q: What makes the Résonance so valuable?
A: The innovative dual-movement synchronization mechanism, combined with F.P. Journe's reputation for exceptional finishing and the model's historical significance in watchmaking, creates strong demand among serious collectors.
Source
According to Hodinkee, Phillips has corrected its claim about the delivery date of the early Résonance after F.P. Journe issued an official statement.