Last week, Swiss independent watch brand Armin Strom — a master at resonance — unveiled the Armin Strom Dual-Time Resonance Masterpiece 1 watch. The complex timepiece — in both looks and technology — combines two independent movements that display two different time zones with increased precision thanks to a highly technical watchmaking feat known as resonance.
Armin Strom Dual Time Resonance Masterpiece 1 watch
I wrote about this watch on my Perfect Timing column on Forbes.com, but now I bring a more in-depth study, combining portions of that article with new information and description.
“Armin Strom has become a master at perfecting the concept of Resonance, wherein the natural frequency of each of the two movements in the watch are totally synchronized and that force is constant throughout the entire power reserve of the watch from fully wound to nearly expired. The brand’s accomplishments are the result of more than three years of extensive research and development into this area. As a result, Armin Strom has created and built — totally in house — a patented Resonance Clutch Spring that keeps both oscillating balances continually moving in counter directions.
Close-up of the Armin Strom Dual-Time Resonance Masterpiece 1 Watch with new ARF17 caliber made totally in house.
While Armin Strom already has an extensive line of Mirrored Force Resonance watches, the new Dual Time Resonance offers GMT (second time zone), and the ability to act as a countdown timer. There is also a power-reserve indication for each of the two chronometer-level regulated movements. Nestled between the two independent hand-guilloche’ dials is a third dial at 6 o’clock that offers a 24-hour indication.
With much of the important mechanics of this watch (they synchronized coupled dual regulators) visible on the dial side, the horizontal oval watch offers three-dimensional and technical appeal. The movement is so precise that Armin Strom’s laboratory testing has achieved gains in precision of 15 to 20 percent. Additionally, each movement has two barrels, affording for a longer power reserve: 110 hours each. The Centre Suisse d’Electronique et de Microtechnique (CSEM) testing laboratory in Switzerland, officially certifies the resonance system based on the clutch spring.
Armin Strom Dual Time Resonance Masterpiece 1 watch is crafted in platinum and retails for about $182,000.
So complex is the new manual wind caliber ARF17 that just eight pieces of the Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance will be made in Grade 5 titanium. Each timepiece features a sapphire caseback for viewing of the two movements. Each movement is wound by its own crown, one at 2 o’clock and one at 10 o’clock. The Armin Strom Dual Time Resonance Masterpiece 1, which measures 59mm in diameters and 43.4mm in height (including lugs), is finished with a black alligator strap.”
Technical Specifications of the Armin Strom Dual-Time Resonance Masterpiece 1 Watch
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: $169,000.
