Armin Strom stands out as an exceptional independent brand for enthusiasts of traditional watchmaking intertwined with innovative three-dimensional designs. As a privately owned Swiss company, it has remained dedicated to its heritage in horology, showcasing skeletonized multi-layer dials that add a captivating sense of depth and dimension, while incorporating cutting-edge technical advancements. The recently unveiled Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition Blue timepiece serves as a resounding testament to the brand’s remarkable achievements.
In 2016, Armin Strom introduced the groundbreaking concept of Mirrored Force Resonance, revolutionizing chronometric precision and ensuring consistent timing. This visionary approach led to the release of the limited First Edition in 2022, comprising a mere 25 units. However, the ingenious movement featuring a patented mechanism has now undergone a complete redesign, accompanied by updates to the watch itself, including a fresh case design and a captivating dial.
Mirrored Force Resonance Edition Blue
Incorporating sleek stainless steel and a slimmer case measuring 11.55mm, the 43mm timepiece exemplifies a harmonious fusion of color coordination, architectural design, and intricate craftsmanship. Armin Strom’s ARF21 caliber, which has been crafted with great attention to detail, is the main focus on the front side of the watch. It is displayed through a raised sapphire box crystal and an anti-reflective sapphire case back. With its 276 finely crafted components and a manual winding mechanism providing a power reserve of 48 hours, this caliber boasts two independent regulating systems linked by a patented resonance clutch spring, enabling remarkable accuracy. Further details about this innovative clutch spring can be explored below.
A captivating exploration of the watch reveals meticulous finishing and impeccable equilibrium. The dial, positioned off-center at 3:00, displays an enchanting deep blue hue, adorned with an outer satin-brushed chapter ring and an inner center meticulously finished with a textured “grenage” graining, offering tactile allure. Enhancing the dial’s asymmetry, the twin resonance second counters reside in subsidiary dials, accentuated by a blue chapter ring. The watch’s left side, from 8:00 to 10:00, unveils the magnificence of the twin balance bridges. Additional movement components grace the dial side, showcasing a highly technical and distinctly futuristic immersion.
The 2:00 pusher on this timepiece serves the purpose of resetting the two running seconds indicators, which rotate in opposite directions (clockwise and counterclockwise) to synchronize with one another and return to zero. This feature allows the watch to maintain its resonance. When you observe the watch from the case back, you can catch a glimpse of the main bridge and other visible components. The impeccable finishing applied to all the parts showcases Armin Strom’s signature style. Through meticulous handwork, including techniques like perlage, satin brushing, chamfering, and haute horology polishing, each component is transformed into a true work of art. The harmonious combination of steel and blue tones is complemented by a blue Alcantara strap adorned with white stitching. Limited to a production run of only 50 pieces, this chromatic timepiece, embracing the concept of resonance, is a testament to exclusivity. Its retail price stands at $63,000.
The Armin Strom’s Clutch Spring
Dedicated enthusiasts of timepieces are forever on a quest for that perfect harmony. They seek the pinnacle of precision, where a watch’s power remains consistent throughout its entire reserve, from the beginning to the end. Armin Strom has achieved this remarkable feat with their groundbreaking and patented Resonance Clutch Spring, a marvel conceived and developed entirely in-house at the prestigious Armin Strom manufacture in Biel, Switzerland.
Years of tireless research by Claude Greisler and the manufacturer have led to the creation of the Resonance Clutch Spring. Meticulously crafted from a single piece of steel, this ingenious component facilitates the transfer of energy between the two hairsprings, rapidly bringing the balance wheels into a state of resonance. Armin Strom’s latest generation of resonance timepieces stands out as the swiftest and most reliable in the market, surpassing all others in terms of synchronization speed and maintaining resonance for an extended period.
Furthermore, the timepiece features a pliable suspension setup that links the hairsprings and balance wheel. This exceptional design provides enhanced resistance against shocks and vibrations, far surpassing the durability of standard movements.