Armin Strom is an innovative, but very small independent which is a rare gem in the industry. Capable of being totally independent (read our factory tour here), they offer interesting watches, which are symmetrical in layout and offer some visual animation on the dial. Their Mirrored Forced Resonance and Pure Resonance are variations to the theme. Today they announce yet another, perhaps a more complication version – the Dual Time Resonance GMT Masterpiece 1. We will be doing a full hands-on review of this watch soon.
Armin Strom Dual Time Resonance: GMT inspiration and development
Also known as Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance, the watch is an extension to the clever mirrored forced resonance system developed by Armin Strom. The resonance clutch spring allows the mysterious force of resonance to be visualized in real time. It’s a visually entertaining complication as well as a technical tour de force; a performance-enhancing mechanism so obvious that you can see it.
Armin Strom did not set out to make a dual time watch; the principal aim was to showcase the resonance movement to the maximum. The movement architecture was a perfect meld of form and function. This is achieved by spreading the two movements apart horizontally in the Dual Time Resonance – compared to the two vertically stacked movements of the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance.
With two time displays, dual time follows naturally. The independent second time display can also function as a countdown indicator or for tracking elapsed time. Two independent (aside from resonance) movements, two independent time displays, one 24-hour indicator, four mainspring barrels, and two conical power reserve indicators. In the pursuit of horological accuracy, precision, and rate stability, resonance has usually involved using two independent movements connected to allow fine tuning of the distance between them.’
Prior to the Armin Strom system, precise adjustment of the distance between the two regulators has been necessary to incite resonance. However, Armin Strom Resonant Clutch Spring eliminates the necessity for fine tuning the distance and ensures a much more reliable and efficient resonant system. When starting out of resonance, the Armin Strom Resonant Clutch Spring can take up to 10 minutes to synchronise the two systems. The Armin Strom system is patented, and the Resonance Clutch Spring is an innovative way of improving precision and accuracy. Note that the CSEM (Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique) has officially certified Armin Strom’s resonance system based on the clutch spring as being a true system in resonance.
Technical specifications: Dual Time Resonance TI18-RGMT.90
Indications: Movement 1 – hours, minutes, 24-hour indicator, power reserve indicator; Movement 2 – hours, minutes, power reserve indicator
Movement: Armin Strom manufacture calibre ARF17
Manual-winding, patented resonance clutch spring, dual off-centre time indications, 4 mainspring barrels Regulating system: two independent regulation systems connected by a resonance clutch spring
Power reserves: conical x 2, 110 hours for each movement
Dimensions: 52.55 mm x 39.95 mm x 11.67 mm Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)
Finishing: base plate and bridges are decorated to the highest quality level
Jewels: 70
Number of components: 419
Case: Grade 5 titanium Sapphire crystal and case back with antireflective treatment
Diameter: 59 mm x 43.4 mm (including lugs) Height: 15.9 mm
Water resistance: 50m
Dial: hand guilloche
Hands: polished stainless steel
Straps: delivered with a black alligator strap and stainless steel double-folding clasp.
Retail price: CHF 180,000 or S$ 262,150, both inclusive of taxes.
