2001 Resonance

Jan 17, 2020,20:54 PM
 

Hi All,

This is my first post. A thank you to all for making this such a wonderful place to learn. I have quietly enjoyed this forum and wanted to pose 2 questions to everyone:

1. Why did Mr. Journe use gold for his dials when he started making his watches? I particularly enjoy the grainy, sparkly yellow gold dial. It’s quite dynamic and eye catching. However, I do not think it was common to use gold for dials, even for today? I’m curious if he had a particular reason. Was it to be unique? Was it at a client’s request? Or was it common practice in 2009?
2. What causes these dials to oxidize or change? Moisture? Sunlight? Original fabrication defects or technique? Some dials have a peripheral stain like a watermark. Others seem to have central spots while other dials have a uniform patina throughout. This specific piece saw very little daylight before I acquired it. I believe is was locked away for years with little wrist time. As such, the dial is clean and what I would imagine it looked like in 2001. However, I assume it will change with more wrist time. To me, a uniform patina is beautiful. Is there a way to prevent more localized changes?

This forum has immense collective experience so I would love to hear people’s responses. I have never met Mr. Journe but I’m sure somebody here has asked these questions to the artist himself. Thank you!





More posts: ChronometreResonance

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread

 

I dont know the exact reasons for using gold as a dial material. I would guess that the answer is a mix of the reasons you mention...

 
 By: Watchcph : January 18th, 2020-00:33
But it sure looks beautiful! As to why the dials changes over time could partly be due to a thin layer of lacquer on top of the dial. I have an early white gold dial which looks more like champagne now. A good friend of mine who is a renowned restorer of ... 

Interesting!

 
 By: pinpa : January 18th, 2020-10:44
Thank you for the reply. Very interesting. I'd love to hear what you find out from the manufacturer!

It’s like buying a vintage Rolex and changing the dial to a new one. Or swapping out a Tiffany stamped dial to one without.

 
 By: cmmnsens : January 20th, 2020-08:10
The top 2 desired elements of early Journes are the grainy dials and brass movements. Part of the appeal of the early dials is its imperfections. They are “unstable” hence the oxidation/patina. You can always have the dials cleaned to remove signs of oxid... 

+1

 
 By: ChristianDK : January 23rd, 2020-12:53
Exactly like this!

thats a rvery idea

 
 By: ChristianDK : January 23rd, 2020-12:55
It would destroy the dial. The Patina on these early ones is part of the attraction.

Beautiful piece - congrats!

 
 By: cmmnsens : January 18th, 2020-06:08
Check out it’s a good resource for all things Journe. He talks about the history of R in more detail.

Resonance

 
 By: pinpa : January 18th, 2020-10:48
Thank you. Wonderful site. These early gold dials are magnificent. I'm keen to learn more about them. And beautiful tourbillon!

Superb watch and Resonances are having a moment!

 
 By: S.Song : January 19th, 2020-20:03
Also part of the reason why the dials tended to oxidze was because Journe used glue to seal the crystals back then rather than a gasket. It was obviously not a great choice and he has changed since Some collectors really welcome the tarnishing too as some... 

Glue

 
 By: pinpa : January 20th, 2020-08:11
Very interesting, I appreciate the information. I love the learning the history of these pieces.

This is sooo delicious!

 
 By: mrds : January 23rd, 2020-05:25
The perfect, quintessential Journe. Bravo! Daniel

Thank you.

 
 By: pinpa : January 24th, 2020-13:16
Thank you. Acquired it before it got crazy.