A compete review of the Armin Strom Pure Resonance Fire. We recently had the opportunity to test for an entire week the Armin Strom Pure Resonance Fire featuring an advanced resonance technology. Offering a beautiful and elegant design, state-of-the-art finishes, a true watchmaking feat like mechanical resonance, and chronometry, the Armin Strom Pure Resonance Fire in rose gold has a price of Swiss Francs 62,000 that is certainly in line with the exclusivity of this creation.
After reviewing the Mirrored Force Resonance model on October 2018, we recently had the opportunity to test for an entire week the Armin Strom Pure Resonance Fire, a timepiece that shares with its brother the same resonance technology but with a more classic design and a smaller diameter (42 mm vs 43.4 mm). As we write, we have just learnt that this model is also one of the pre-selected watches that will be competing for the “Chronometry” prize as well as for the prestigious “Aiguille d’Or” Grand Prix at the upcoming Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (November 7, 2019).
Resonance is a phenomenon of physics in which two oscillating bodies in close proximity influence each other and eventually synchronize at a preferential frequency. In horology, only few watchmakers have been able to implement a mechanical movement taking advantage of resonance.
After several years of research, Armin Strom successfully mastered the phenomenon achieving important benefits for its timepieces: higher accuracy, improved conservation of energy, and more resistance to outside perturbations such as shocks to the balance staff.
The technical solution is based on two independent regulation systems (mainsprings, gear trains, escapements, and balances) that stabilize each other connected by a resonance clutch spring. Two connected oscillators make their revolutions in opposite directions, one rotating clockwise and the other counterclockwise.
The uniqueness of the resonance implementation used by Armin Strom also stands in the possibility to observe this phenomenon, and admire how the two resonant regulators work in a sympathetic manner, while wearing the watch on the wrist. The key elements are visible on the dial side for the joy of the wearer.
The resonance clutch spring is one of them. Its shape is so sophisticated that Armin Strom had to create it in-house. It took two and a half years perfecting this spring, until it had the optimal form to connect Armin Strom’s two sets of oscillators.
As written before, the design approach of the Pure Resonance is more classic compared to the Mirrored Force Resonance with just one small seconds sub-counter instead of two. In fact, its hand-wound Caliber ARF16 differs from the Caliber ARF15 of the Mirrored Force Resonance for replacing the twin seconds flyback mechanism with one clear-cut subsidiary seconds subdial, a change that made it possible to further improve chronometry (fewer functions help improving the overall accuracy).
For our review we used the Fire version of the Pure Resonance which identifies models with warm-toned red gold cases. The case has classic proportions (42 mm wide and 12 mm thick) with a small lip positioned at 6 o’clock on the bezel, a hallmark of the brand. Armin Strom developed this additional surface on the case as a way to personalize the watch with engraved initials. Even if you prefer not to use it for the original scope, this element makes the Armin Strom watches even more recognizable.
The clean lines of the case are highlighted by its meticulous finish alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces. Water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 5 ATM (approx 50 metres / 165 feet).
Thanks to ergonomically designed short lugs and a perfectly executed black alligator leather strap, the watch sits very comfortably on the wrist.
The polished bezel frames a refined dial where Roman numerals dominate the off-center subdial displaying hours and minutes with a classic railroad track to mark the exact minutes. The snailed subdial at 7 o’clock displays seconds using only a baton-shaped hand and a simple track.
The left part of the dial is characterized by the resonant regulators and playful resonance clutch spring as well as by the bridges decorated with eye-catching Côtes de Genève, applied for the first time at Armin Strom in straight lines.
Just like for the dial side, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment is used for the case back to showcase the impeccable finishes of the Caliber ARF16, in line with the highest standards of Haute Horlogerie. Comprised of 206 components, the movement beats at a frequency of 3.5 Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour) and offers a power reserve of 48 hours delivered by two barrels that can be observed while they simultaneously wind.
Offering a beautiful and elegant design, state-of-the-art finishes, a true watchmaking feat like mechanical resonance, and chronometry, the Armin Strom Pure Resonance Fire in rose gold has a price of Swiss Francs 62,000, totally in line with the exclusivity of this Haute Horlogerie creation. A stainless steel version with blue dial is also available at the price of Swiss Francs 49,000. arminstrom.com
For an in-depth article on the resonance physical phenomenon applied to watchmaking, we invite to read our feature “In pursuit of precision: mechanical resonance and watches”.
Resonance is a phenomenon of physics in which two oscillating bodies in close proximity influence each other and eventually synchronize at a preferential frequency. In horology, only few watchmakers have been able to implement a mechanical movement taking advantage of resonance.
After several years of research, Armin Strom successfully mastered the phenomenon achieving important benefits for its timepieces: higher accuracy, improved conservation of energy, and more resistance to outside perturbations such as shocks to the balance staff.
The technical solution is based on two independent regulation systems (mainsprings, gear trains, escapements, and balances) that stabilize each other connected by a resonance clutch spring. Two connected oscillators make their revolutions in opposite directions, one rotating clockwise and the other counterclockwise.
As written before, the design approach of the Pure Resonance is more classic compared to the Mirrored Force Resonance with just one small seconds sub-counter instead of two. In fact, its hand-wound Caliber ARF16 differs from the Caliber ARF15 of the Mirrored Force Resonance for replacing the twin seconds flyback mechanism with one clear-cut subsidiary seconds subdial, a change that made it possible to further improve chronometry (fewer functions help improving the overall accuracy).
For our review we used the Fire version of the Pure Resonance which identifies models with warm-toned red gold cases. The case has classic proportions (42 mm wide and 12 mm thick) with a small lip positioned at 6 o’clock on the bezel, a hallmark of the brand. Armin Strom developed this additional surface on the case as a way to personalize the watch with engraved initials. Even if you prefer not to use it for the original scope, this element makes the Armin Strom watches even more recognizable.
The clean lines of the case are highlighted by its meticulous finish alternating polished and satin-brushed surfaces. Water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 5 ATM (approx 50 metres / 165 feet).
The left part of the dial is characterized by the resonant regulators and playful resonance clutch spring as well as by the bridges decorated with eye-catching Côtes de Genève, applied for the first time at Armin Strom in straight lines.
Just like for the dial side, a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment is used for the case back to showcase the impeccable finishes of the Caliber ARF16, in line with the highest standards of Haute Horlogerie. Comprised of 206 components, the movement beats at a frequency of 3.5 Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour) and offers a power reserve of 48 hours delivered by two barrels that can be observed while they simultaneously wind.
Offering a beautiful and elegant design, state-of-the-art finishes, a true watchmaking feat like mechanical resonance, and chronometry, the Armin Strom Pure Resonance Fire in rose gold has a price of Swiss Francs 62,000, totally in line with the exclusivity of this Haute Horlogerie creation. A stainless steel version with blue dial is also available at the price of Swiss Francs 49,000. arminstrom.com
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