Discover the Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition—featuring two movements, dual time and resonance technology. Price €133,000
Swiss independent watch brand Armin Strom has unveiled the Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition, a new model featuring two independent movements within a single timepiece that displays two time zones synchronized through the natural phenomenon of resonance.
Due to resonance, two oscillating mechanisms can transmit vibrational energy between each other, each affecting the other’s rate. In watchmaking, only a few watchmakers have attempted to take advantage of this phenomenon to improve accuracy, precision and rate stability of a timepiece (for more on the history of resonance watches, read our feature "In pursuit of precision: mechanical resonance and watches" by following the link provided at the end of this article).
Continuing the celebration of Armin Strom's 15th anniversary as a fully-integrated Manufacture, this release reimagines the resonance complication by refining and enhancing concepts first introduced in 2018 with the Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance.
The Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition comes in a round and well-proportioned 39 mm x 9.05 mm case crafted from 18kt white gold, with alternating satin-brushed and polished surfaces to highlight the lines.
The case maintains a small embossment at 6 o'clock as a nod to the Armin Strom “lip”, a signature element of the brand that was originally designed to offer a surface for personalizing the watch with engraved initials. The versatility of the watch is ensured by water resistance to 5 ATM (50 metres / 165 feet).
The watch is powered by the new Armin Strom manufacture caliber ARF22, a hand-wound resonance movement, the 18th caliber designed and produced in-house under the direction of Claude Greisler, master watchmaker and co-founder of the Armin Strom Manufacture with Serge Michel (read our interview here).
Two independent and symmetrically mirrored oscillators operate in anti-phase, synchronizing through the natural resonance phenomenon.
Operating at a frequency of 3.5 Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour), this 231-part calibre features two mainspring barrels providing a power reserve of 42 hours, wound by the crown at 4 o’clock. Two separate gear trains drive the independent time displays.
While many components are visible on the dial side, the case back further reveals the distinctive symmetrical architecture of the movement.
A kinetic spectacle is on full display on the dial side of the timepiece, with the synchronized motion of two balance wheels operating in a state of resonance, combined with the pulsation of the clutch spring as it transmits vibrations between them.
Another valued aspect of the timepiece is its ability to set the two time zones entirely independently using the two crowns positioned on either side of the case. Most dual time zone movements only permit independent adjustment of the hours, with only a few allowing half-hour settings. However, Armin Strom’s Dual Time GMT Resonance lets users set both the hours and minutes to any desired time on each of two identical dials.
The movement also offers a unique winding experience through its ratchet click system, which creates a captivating dial-side animation, making winding a more engaging experience.
Unlike traditional mechanisms, the Dual Time GMT Resonance's three-dimensional ratchet system connects to a pinion positioned between the two barrels, distributing the load more evenly.
This two-part system, with a gear featuring Breguet teeth and a spring-loaded top element, ensures smoother engagement, more efficient energy transfer, reduced friction, and improved durability for the winding mechanism.
Protected under a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, the two symmetric time dials feature a sky-blue grenage finish, surrounded by black azurage chapter rings set with applied polished baton indexes that complement the faceted hands.
The engraved and mirror polished day/night indicators depicting the sun and moon to indicate AM/PM are mounted on 24-hour wheels directly on the movement.
The twin balance bridge is crafted from steel and designed with a flat surface that is hand-polished to achieve a mirror finish in accordance with the highest standards of traditional haute horlogerie decoration, which can be appreciated on both sides of the movement.
Secured by an 18-karat white gold pin buckle, the watch comes with two straps: a matte gray alligator strap with sky-blue stitching and a light gray alligator strap with pearl-gray stitching.
Including a 10-year extended warranty and limited to just 25 pieces, the new Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition, ref. WG24-DT.90, has a price of CHF 115,000 / €133,300 / US$ 120,700. arminstrom.com
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