Combining the art of traditional watchmaking and modern engineering, the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance is certainly a timepiece that has the wow-factor. Following the successful launch of both the rose gold and stainless steel edition, Armin Strom had decided to up the notch again. This time, with an intricate guilloché dial.
The Mirrored Force Resonance is Armin Strom’s most innovative timepiece to date. The watch, which we have discussed extensively in our review article, is a modern take on a very rare complication: the Resonance.
The Resonance is an interesting complication. The phenomenon was first discovered in 1655, by Christian Huygens. Christian – who was the inventor of the pendulum clock – noted that if two pendulum clocks were hung from a common beam, they would eventually be synchronised. This is regardless if the two clocks had previously displayed a slightly different time. The main advantage of this is that (i) it may increase the precision due to the improved stability of the rate of oscillation and (ii) it is more resilient to external shocks. Despite that, it is a rather uncommon movement due to the work that is involved. The other two known wristwatches that feature this complication is the F.P. Journe Chronomètre à Résonance and Haldimann H2 Resonance Flying Tourbillon.
The New Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance, with Handmade Guilloché Dial
The new Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance, this time with a stunning guilloché dial.
This year, Armin Strom had decided to up the ante, with a new variant of the Mirrored Force Resonance. The new variant offers an elegant interpretation of the timepiece, with a stunning hand-executed guilloché dial. The guilloché dial creates a juxtaposition to Armin Strom’s contemporary take on the resonance complication.
The guilloché dial is available in a variety of colours and patterns. The options are selected based on the owner’s discretion – in which they could choose either a blue, black, anthracite, red, or bi-colour dial, with one of the three guilloché motifs (sun-ray, concentric waves, or barley-corn).
In addition, the guilloché dial is produced in collaboration with Master Watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The dials are manufactured in his Môtiers-based workshop. They will be made using a century-old engine-turning lathes, which can only be operated and controlled by hand. The crafting of the patterns, which are obtained through chiselling, is an intricate and time-consuming process that showcases the craftsman’s competency and virtuosity.
The Movement: Strom ARF15
The caseback shows the twin barrels and the dual train. This is on an earlier version of the Mirrored Force Resonance, which shares a similar movement.
The movement that is fitted on this timepiece is the Strom ARF15. This is an in-house developed movement, and it is similar to the one that is used on the previous variant of the timepiece. As per traditional watchmaking, the plates and bridges are made from brass, with ruthenium plating.
Interestingly, the two trains – as seen in the above pictures – are independent. This is with the exception of the connection at the resonance clutch spring. The two trains run in opposite directions, with the lower train running clockwise. This is apparent on the dial side, where the difference can be seen in the movement of two sub-dials that display the seconds.
Another angle of the Armin Strom’s ARF15.
As mentioned above, the two balance wheels are connected only at the hairsprings. It is through the use of a special resonance clutch spring that is attached to the studs of each escapement. This allows them to oscillate in unison – which was the same phenomenon that Christian Huygens had observed four centuries back.
Besides that, the manual-winding movement beats at a frequency of 25,200 bph. The movement contains 226 components, with 46 jewels. It also boasts a decent power reserve of approximately 48 hours.
Conclusion
This variant of the Mirrored Force Resonance combines the best of both worlds. On one hand, it features traditional watchmaking through the guilloché dial and other traditional watchmaking techniques. On the other hand, this is Armin Strom’s modern interpretation of a relatively old and unknown complication. The end result is definitely interesting.
The 43.4mm watch will be available in stainless steel, paired with an alligator horn-back strap and an additional black rubber strap. It will be priced at CHF 59,000 (approximately S$80,216).
Technical Details
Case: 43.4mm diameter x 13.0mm thick – stainless steel – sapphire crystal on the front and on the back with antireflective coating – 50m water resistant.
Movement: AFR15 with manual winding – 48h power reserve – 25,200 vibrations/h – hours, minutes, twin seconds, two independent resonant regulators. 16’’’ ½ lines x 7.70mm. 226 parts.
Strap: alligator horn-back strap and stainless steel ardillon buckle as well as an additional black rubber strap. A double-folding clasp in stainless steel is available as an option.
Price: CHF 59,000 (approximately S$80,216)
