Phillips Walks Back Claim on Early F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance After Manufacturer Statement
Phillips Auction House Corrects Résonance Delivery Date Following F.P. Journe Intervention
Auction house Phillips has issued a public correction regarding the provenance of a pre-production F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance watch scheduled for auction in November. The correction came after watchmaker François-Paul Journe personally disputed Phillips' original claim that the timepiece was delivered in 1999.
Timeline Dispute Emerges Between Auction House and Watchmaker
The watch with serial number 022/99R is slated to appear at Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo on November 7-8 in Geneva, with an estimate of CHF 500,000 to CHF 1 million. Phillips had originally announced that the consignor took delivery in 1999, suggesting the piece could be one of the first commercially delivered examples of the iconic Résonance model.
In a statement titled "Correction," signed by F.P. Journe himself, the watchmaker clarified:
- The first Chronomètre à Résonance was delivered on March 10, 2000
- The No. 022/99R was delivered on June 8, 2000
- Other examples were delivered worldwide during the intervening three months
- The serial number of the first Résonance delivered remains confidential
Market Impact and Collector Considerations
| Model | Delivery Date | Significance | Estimated Value |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ref. 022/99R | June 8, 2000 | Lowest commercially available number | CHF 500,000-1,000,000 |
| Ref. 007 | Early 2000 | Record holder | $13.9 million (sold) |
"I am very often dismayed by the untruths I read about us," Journe wrote in the letter. "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 With Revised Position
In its correction post, Phillips acknowledged the oversight while maintaining the watch's significance. The auction house emphasized that despite not being the first delivered, the 022/99 remains the lowest commercially available number, with numbers 1-20 reserved for Souscription pieces and 021/99 retained by Journe himself.
The correction comes at a time when F.P. Journe watches command extraordinary premiums at auction. The brand's reputation for precision and innovation has made early examples particularly sought-after by collectors worldwide.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What makes the Chronomètre à Résonance special?
A: The Résonance combines two movements with separate balances into a single case, bringing them into synchronization—the first time this "résonance" concept was applied to a wristwatch.
Q: How does this correction affect the watch's value?
A: While delivery timing matters to collectors, the watch remains one of the earliest examples ever produced and carries significant historical importance.
Q: When is the auction?
A: Phillips will offer the Chronomètre à Résonance 022/99 on November 7-8 in Geneva.
According to Hodinkee and Phillips auction house records
For more on watch collecting and authentication, visit our Watch Authentication Guide.