Armin Strom GMT Resonance now in Pink or White Gold

Armin Strom gained fame over the years for its bold skeletonised movements but really made an impact in the watchmaking arena when it resuscitated a 400-year old phenomenon known as resonance. The ensuing Resonance Collection with its dual – and independent – regulators was a hit but limited to models displaying time only functions. In a move to expand and endow the watch with complications, the resonance technology migrated to the Masterpiece I collection offering a useful GMT/dual time function. First launched in a Dual Time Resonance model in titanium in October 2018, Armin Strom unveils the same model in 18k white and rose gold cases in a limited edition of eight pieces in each metal.

Oval case

The Dual Time Resonance is characterised by two independent movements arranged side by side in a distinctive oval case. The case is extremely large measuring 59mm in diameter with a height of 15.90mm. The advantage of these prodigious dimensions is that there is a lot of space here and a generous view of the mechanics. Since the movements are independent, there are two crowns at 10 and 2 o’clock. Like all the watch cases in Armin Strom’s collection, the bottom of the case features a lip positioned between the lugs giving the case a more dynamic presence.

As fascinating as the Dual Time Resonance might seem, the concept of resonance has been kicking around for at least 400 years. In a nutshell, resonance is when another body with a similar natural resonant frequency to the first receives these vibrations and starts vibrating at the same frequency in a sympathetic manner. For a more detailed and scholarly explanation of resonance, please read Xavier’s article. Armin Strom originally applied mirrored force resonance to increase the precision and rate stability of its Resonance Collection (and claims that precision was enhanced by almost 20%) before launching its Masterpiece collection with the limited edition Dual Time Resonance.

Two-timing phenomenon

The fact that the two dials are arranged on a horizontal axis makes this perhaps the easiest and most instinctive way to consult a second time-zone. One of the dials is used for home time, the other for local time and to avoid any confusion, a 24-hour day/night indicator has been placed between the two. Two crowns mean that you can adjust both the hour and minute hands on each dial – very useful when it comes to countries with time zones that vary by half an hour or even a quarter of an hour.

The rose gold model features handsome black dials with hand guilloché decoration in the centre and Roman numerals. In the case of the white gold model, the dials are blue and both have been handcrafted by Kari Voutilainen. You’ll notice that the colour of the numerals on the black counters changes. The left dial, for example, has silver Roman numerals and the right has gold ones. This colour scheme is echoed on the hands in the day/night display so you can establish whether it is night or daytime at a glance. Power reserve indicators are also featured on both dials and the hands are made from polished stainless steel.

Above the large and highly legible dials is Armin Strom’s patented resonance clutch spring uniting the symmetrically mirrored regulators. Held in place by two cocks that have been beautifully chiselled by hand to obtain a tremblage finish, the action at this position on the dial is truly mesmerising.

Double the power

The Dual Time Resonance is fitted with Armin Strom’s very own manual-winding ARF17 calibre. Composed of 419 individual parts, the shaped movement is enormous (measuring 52.55mm x 39.95mm) and a spectacle to behold. Like the phenomenon of mirrored force resonance, everything is duplicated and arranged with strict symmetry. And, as you might have guessed, the two independent movements are powered with not one but two barrels each for a beefy 110-hour power reserve.  The four barrels are all wound by the same crown to ensure they are wound simultaneously. This architecture ensures that the same energy is delivered by the barrels to their associated oscillator and avoids disturbing the phenomenon of resonance.  Befitting a watch of this sophistication, the plates and bridges are beautifully decorated with Geneva stripes, circular graining and smooth bevelled edges.

Price

Delivered with a black alligator strap with a stainless steel double folding clasp, the Armin Strom Dual Time Resonance in white and rose gold is a limited edition of just eight pieces and is expected to retail for around CHF 200,000. More details at www.arminstrom.com.