Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition Watch Review
The Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition is the brand’s latest model equipped with the Manufacture’s ingenious clutch spring. Promising comparable precision to a tourbillon and delivering superior rate stability, resonance makes a strong case for itself. Meehna Goldsmith looks at the history of resonance and examines the specification of this new exemplar of Haute Horlogerie.
Armin Strom Watch Review
The physical phenomenon of resonance was discovered in 1656 by Dutch scientist and inventor of the pendulum clock, Christiaan Huygens. He noticed that when two pendulums were mounted on a common beam, they influenced one another and eventually moved in synchrony. However, it wasn’t until over a century later that the royal clockmaker to Louis XVIII, Antide Janvier, built three double pendulum clocks demonstrating the phenomenon. Based on Janvier’s work, Abraham-Louis Breguet constructed resonance clocks, and a few resonance pocket watches, in the early 19th century.
And then there was silence, for almost two hundred years. With the rise of the wristwatch, capitalising on the benefits of resonance in order to improve timekeeping got pushed to a historical horologic footnote, albeit a technically interesting one. Though an advancement in precision, the finicky mechanics meant resonance had to be sufficiently robust to allow regulation, a challenge with a stationary clock, let alone on a wobbly wrist. That is until F.P. Journe took up the gauntlet and presented the Chronomètre à Resonance, released in early 2000.
Resonance watch
To this day, only a rare few have attempted, and even less have pulled off, resonance in a wristwatch. It’s interesting to note that none of the blue-chip brands at the top of the horologic ladder have ever presented a watch using the phenomenon of resonance. And, less than a handful of independents can claim that honour. One of those is Armin Strom. The brand released the Mirrored Force Resonance in 2016 and it was an immediate sensation.
Armin Strom Manufacture (2009)
In 2009, Armin Strom became a Manufacture, releasing its first in-house calibre, the ARM09. Shortly thereafter there followed a tourbillon. But a watch incorporating resonance?! And, capitalising on the phenomenon of resonance with a patented clutch spring? That was Armin Strom announcing, “Not only are we here, we’ve come to play!”
Inevitably, horophiles will ask how this resonance watch compares with the highly coveted tourbillon. Well, according to the Maison, resonance delivers comparable precision and superior rate stability. The case for resonance is clearly very strong.
So many watches look similar. It’s damn near impossible to nail a style so distinctive that it’s immediately identifiable to a casual observer across the room. Think: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, Patek Philippe Nautilus or MB&F Legacy Machine. Likewise, the Mirrored Force Resonance also has equally strong and defining looks.
Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition – two balance wheels
The off-centre, black-gold coloured dial of the watch announces the time with skeletonised matte hands constructed in steel. While most hands are sourced from outside suppliers, Armin Strom manufactures and finishes them in-house by hand. And then, on the left side of the dial are two balance wheels stacked at 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock. Notice that they rotate in sync. That’s resonance in action. Not just an intriguing complication, the two balance wheels are also part of the aesthetics. The pusher at 2 o’clock resets the two seconds’ hands for precision setting of the watch, proving ideal when setting the time using a reference clock.
Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition - a new case
Armin Strom debuted the inaugural Mirrored Force Resonance in 2016 and, while very similar to the original, the First Edition incorporates some special features, including a newly designed case, movement and dial. Presented in a slimmer profile, the 43 mm x 11.55 mm case features elongated lugs for a lither look. There’s also the addition of a “lip” at 6 o’clock.
Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition - sapphire box
Another new feature of the First Edition is the raised sapphire glass box that allows views from different vantage points to see the aesthetics of the movement. This allows you to observe the two balance wheels, as well as the open bridges and gears, which have been skeletonised, a speciality of the Armin Strom Manufacture, and the main plate, engraved in raised text. The opening up of the movement architecture allows the brand to showcase its finishing techniques. These include the wide, hand-polished chamfers on the bridges and gleaming countersinks as well as a pleasing mix of satin-brushed and mirror-polished surfaces.
Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition - 10-year warranty
There are other finesses that differentiate the First Edition from its cousins. The two, finger-style bridges between the ratchet wheel and the barrels are made from white gold and the black-gold of the dial is also particular to this rendition. Instead of the brand’s usual 5-year warranty, the model comes with a decade of service.
Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition - closing thoughts
Cased in stainless steel and limited to 25 pieces, the hand-wound Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition has a power reserve of 48 hours and comes on a dark blue alligator strap with white stitching and a matching stainless steel pin buckle. For those with a taste for aesthetics and highly technical mechanics, the First Edition is sure to resonate.
Further reading
Technical specification
- Model: Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition
- Reference: ST22-RF.75
- Case: stainless steel; diameter 43 mm; height 11.55 mm; water resistance 5 ATM (50 metres); sapphire crystal to front; exhibition case back.
- Functions: Hours; minutes; seconds
- Movement: Caliber ARF21; hand-wound movement; frequency 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz); 39 jewels; power reserve 48 hours; 276 components.
- Strap: Dark blue alligator leather strap with white stitching paired with a stainless steel pin buckle
- Price: £52,100 – (RRP as of 24.5.2022)
- Limited Edition: 25 pieces