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Geneva, Switzerland--The most state-of-the-art innovations sometimes have roots reaching way back to previous centuries. Such is the case of the horological application of the acoustic resonance phenomenon. We owe it to the clockmaker Antide Janvier who, back in 1780, adapted this astonishing physical phenomenon for use in watchmaking.

So what is resonance? It occurs when two close, vibrating frequencies harmonise, absorb one another’s energy and start to vibrate at the same frequency. The principle is that when two moving balances are placed side by side, they enter into “sympathetic resonance” and begin to beat naturally in opposition to one another.

“They shoulder one another, providing greater inertia to their motion,” explains François-Paul Journe. “Any shock will accelerate one balance wheel and slow down the other, but gradually the two balances will fall back into step and return to their point of harmony, thereby eliminating the effect of the disturbance.”

François-Paul Journe has succeeded in applying the principle to a wristwatch, which he did back in 2000, his objective being unparalleled precision. During the following two decades he regularly produced further models, and this year, on the twentieth anniversary of this fundamental innovation, he is presenting his new Chronomètre à Résonance, the most advanced model in the series. Click here to continue reading on Europastar.com, part of the ongoing editorial alliance between Europa Star and The Centurion.

The Centurion is very pleased to offer an editorial relationship with the venerable Europa Star, founded in 1927 and reporting in-depth on the watch industry ever since. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, Europa Star launched online industry coverage in 1995 and is widely considered among the most authoritative watch journalist organizations in the world.