In the world of haute horlogerie and independent watchmaking tradition meets innovation – Armin Strom, a name synonymous with avant-garde watchmaking, has once again captivated the industry with its Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition. As a testament to its 15th anniversary of fully-integrated manufacture prowess, this timepiece not only encompasses the brand’s rich history but also pushes the boundaries of mechanical watchmaking.
A Brief History of Excellence
The roots of Armin Strom extend deep into the heart of Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, where Mr. Armin Strom began his journey in 1967. Known for his mastery in hand-skeletonization, Strom’s legacy was passed onto Claude Greisler and Serge Michel in 2008, marking a new era. With the establishment of its own manufacture in 2009, Armin Strom has flourished into an independent beacon of innovation, crafting every part of its watches in-house – a rare feat that stands testament to its commitment towards uncompromising quality.
A Case of Elegance and Precision
The Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition is encased in a 39mm frame of 18-karat white gold, an ideal size that marries traditional elegance with modern sensibility. Its dimensions and the lug-to-lug measurement of 44.50 mm ensure a comfortable fit on the wrist while projecting a stately presence. The case, with its sapphire crystal and case back treated with anti-reflective coating, invites admirers to delve into the mechanical ballet that unfolds within, proving itself as not just a timekeeper but a piece of art.
Dial: A Symphony of Symmetry and Clarity
The watch greets its admirers with two sky-blue grenage dials, set against black azurage chapter rings accentuated by applied polished baton indexes. This color schemes not only lend the watch a serene and distinguished appearance but also make reading time a clear and enjoyable endeavor. Enhancing this visual symphony are the engraved and mirror-polished day/night indicators, skillfully depicting the sun and moon, adding both functionality and a poetic touch to the overall design.
The Heartbeat: Caliber ARF22
At the core of the Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition beats the manually-wound manufacture Caliber ARF22, marking it as the 18th caliber designed and produced in-house under the meticulous eyes of co-founder Claude Greisler. This movement encapsulates the essence of Armin Strom‘s innovation – two perfectly synchronized balance wheels operating in a state of resonance. This natural phenomenon not only counters the adverse effects of gravity but ensures maximum precision. With a power reserve of 42 hours and featuring intricate decoration, the caliber ARF22 is a testament to Armin Strom’s commitment to horological excellence.
A Conclusion of Unmatched Innovation
The Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition is a narrative of Armin Strom‘s relentless pursuit of pushing the horological boundaries. Limited to 25 pieces, this timepiece is a collector’s dream, embodying the perfect balance between innovative engineering and aesthetic brilliance. Priced at CHF 115,000, it stands as a beacon of excellence in the watchmaking world.
Armin Strom’s approach to resonance, distinctly different and pioneering, offers a narrative of ambition and precision. The watch not merely tells time – it tells history, encapsulates passion, and pays homage to the intricate dance of the cosmos. In every tick, it whispers the legacy of Armin Strom and envisions the future of watchmaking.
Although the design might be a bit industrial and cold, the entire look of the watch is carefully balanced between the metal estate and the beautiful colour of the dial. As an engineer, I particularly enjoy the resonance spectacle shown on top of the dial. As a romantic and creative person, I am drowned by the details of the sculpted day night indicators and lovely surface of the light blue dial. Is a practical and enjoyable day-to-day companion.
In concluding, the Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition transcends the ordinary, inviting its patrons to become part of an exclusive lineage of timekeeping excellence. It doesn’t just mark the passage of time; it celebrates it, making every moment a spectacle of mesmerizing beauty and precise engineering. Armin Strom, through this masterpiece, continues to herald the dawn of a new era in the world of haute horlogerie, where tradition and innovation resonate in perfect harmony.
Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition Technical Specifications
Reference no. WG24-DT.90 – CHF 115,000 / EUR 133,300 / GBP 114,000 / USD 120,700, Limited to 25 pieces
Features
- Indications: Two independent time displays each indicating hour, minutes and day/night
- Left crown for setting time of left dial; right crown for setting time of right dial and winding
Movement
- Armin Strom manufacture Caliber ARF22
- Anthracite PVD-colored main plate
- Winding mechanism: Manual winding
- Regulating system: Two independent regulating systems connected by a resonance clutch spring
- Power reserve: 42 hours
- Dimensions: 34.15 mm × 4.92 mm
- Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)
- Jewels: 40
- Number of components: 231
Case
- 18-karat white gold
- Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment
- Diameter: 39.00 mm Height: 9.05 mm
- Lug-to-Lug: 44.50 mm
- Water resistance: 5 ATM
Dial
- Sky-blue grenage dials with black azurage chapter rings
- Applied polished baton indexes
- Rhodium-plated day/night discs
- Hands: Rhodium, faceted and polished
Strap
- Delivered with two straps – a matte-gray alligator strap with sky-blue stitching and a light-gray alligator strap with pearl-gray stitching – with 18-karat pin buckle
- Width lugs/buckle: 18/16 mm
About Armin Strom
Armin Strom is an independent watch company based in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Armin Strom timepieces offer a unique fusion of the Swiss-German horological tradition, avant-garde “transparent mechanics” and an unwavering commitment to horological innovation. The hallmark of the brand’s low-volume, artisanal approach to watchmaking is its commitment to exposed dial-side movement mechanics, with every part hand-finished to the highest haute-horology standards.
Armin Strom was established in 1967 by Mr. Armin Strom, a legend in the art of hand-skeletonizsation. In 2008, the stewardship of Mr. Strom’s legacy became the responsibility of Master Watchmaker Claude Greisler and businessman Serge Michel, who together revitalised the brand with the opening of Armin Strom’s first fully integrated manufacture in 2009. Today the brand designs, develops, mills, embosses, galvanizes, hand-finishes and assembles all of its own watches in-house, enabling Armin Strom to bring even the most complicated ideas to life without any of the compromises that typically stem from reliance on a supply chain.