Phillips Corrects Pre-Production Résonance Claim After F.P. Journe Statement
A Rare Public Correction in the Watch Auction World
In an unusual turn of events, auction house Phillips has publicly walked back a claim about the delivery date of an early pre-production F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance after the watchmaker himself intervened to set the record straight. The correction came after F.P. Journe posted a formal letter clarifying the history of serial number 022/99, which Phillips had announced would be offered at auction in November in Geneva.
What Phillips Originally Claimed
When Phillips announced the upcoming sale of the watch, the auction house stated that the consignor and original owner had taken delivery of the piece in 1999. Phillips also suggested in a press release that the watch could be one of, if not the first, commercially delivered examples of the Résonance—a claim that would have significantly enhanced the watch's value and historical importance.
The watch, with serial number 022/99, was presented as a "Pre-Production" model featuring shallow engraving on the caseback and a shiny pink gold dial, with an estimate of CHF 500,000 to CHF 1 million.
F.P. Journe's Correction
François-Paul Journe, the founder and watchmaker behind the eponymous brand, published a letter titled "Correction" on social media, which was subsequently confirmed as authentic by an F.P. Journe company spokesman. In the letter, Journe 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 also expressed frustration with the accuracy of information in the watch world:
"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. The purpose of this clarification is not to punish anyone, but to protect buyers."
Phillips Responds
Following the publication of Journe's letter, Phillips issued its own correction on Instagram:
"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."
Phillips emphasized that the watch remains one of the earliest commercially available examples of the Résonance, noting that numbers 1-20 with case numbers 01/00-20/00 were reserved for Souscription pieces, and serial 021/99 was retained by Journe himself.
Why This Matters for Collectors
| Factor | Before Correction | After Correction |
|---|---|---|
| Claimed Delivery Date | 1999 | June 8, 2000 |
| Claimed as "First" | Implied as potentially first delivered | Not the first; first was March 10, 2000 |
| Lowest Commercial Number | — | Confirmed: lowest commercially available number |
| Estimate | CHF 500,000 – 1M | CHF 500,000 – 1M (unchanged) |
In the high-stakes world of vintage and rare watch collecting, even small details about provenance and delivery dates can have significant implications for value. Collectors may place more value on watches delivered earlier in a production run, with the first delivered example often considered the most desirable. While the correction does not diminish the watch's rarity or significance, it does clarify its position within the production timeline.
Context: Record-Setting Résonance Sales
The correction comes amid extraordinary auction results for F.P. Journe watches. Earlier this year, another early Résonance—serial number 007—sold for a record $13.9 million at Phillips in New York, making it the fifth most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction. Prices for F.P. Journe timepieces, particularly early and rare examples, have soared to record levels in recent years as collector demand has intensified.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will the correction affect the watch's sale price?
It's possible. While the watch remains one of the earliest commercially available Résonance examples, the correction removes the implication that it was the first delivered. However, the watch still carries the lowest commercially available serial number and is offered by its original owner, which should maintain strong collector interest.
Why did F.P. Journe issue the correction?
Journe stated that his purpose was "to protect buyers" and to ensure accurate information about his watches circulates in the market. He expressed frustration with inaccuracies he frequently encounters about his brand and emphasized the importance of truthful representation in protecting both the brand's legacy and collector interests.
When is the watch being auctioned?
The pre-production Résonance 022/99 is scheduled to be offered by Phillips in Association with Bacs & Russo on November 7-8 in Geneva.
Source
Based on reporting by Hodinkee (hodinkee.com) and official statements from Phillips and F.P. Journe.
Explore more at our F.P. Journe collector's guide.