Armin Strom has subtly redesigned the case, movement, and dial of its original Mirrored Force Resonance timepiece that debuted in 2016.
From the outside, the Mirrored Force Resonance – First Edition stainless steel case measures 43 mm x 11.55 mm and has been given more slender proportions, with sleeker lugs as well as a reduction in prominence of the signature lip on the bezel at 6 o’clock.
The Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition still operates the same way as the original, offering hours and minutes via a right-mounted off-center dial, with dual seconds dials connected to the twin balance wheels — via a patented Resonance clutch spring — that make up the Resonance system. And while Resonance (where the two balance systems begin oscillating in sync) typically occurs within 10-minutes from when the movement begins operating, there’s still a push-button corrector located on the baseband at 2 o’clock, to instantly sync the two balance wheels and springs.
Armin Strom may have kept the technology — which was groundbreaking in 2016 and still in six years later — the same, but they’ve significantly redesigned the aesthetic of the movement. Armin Strom manufacture Calibre ARF21 has a more attractive design to it, and this meshed well with the all-new dial. The dial is rendered in black gold with a textured matte finish in the center and an azurage guilloche pattern on the outer chapter ring. On top of the dial are Armin Strom’s in-house manufactured skeletonized Lance-shaped steel hands that display the hours and minutes.
Driving the two independent regulation systems are 2 mainspring barrels, which can keep the manually wound movement going for up to 48-hours when fully wound. The newly created 3.5Hz manufacture caliber measures 37.20 mm x 6.70 mm, has 39 jewels, and 276 total components.
Delivered with a new raised box-type sapphire crystal, the look and feel of the Mirrored Force Resonance – First Edition have been significantly elevated. Additionally, the two balance bridges — which oscillate clockwise and counterclockwise, respectively — have been openworked for more visual harmony between the two synchronized balanced wheels and the off-center dial.
Wider hand-polished chamfers on the bridges and countersinks and the mix of satin-brushed and mirror-polished surfaces further distinguish this timepiece from past Resonance models. The ratchet wheels and pawls have also been reworked, with design inspiration coming from pocket watches, and the result is not just visual but also gives the watch a smoother tactile feel when winding it.
As with past First Edition releases from Armin Strom, this edition has a number of exclusive features. First, the two finger-style bridges between the ratchet wheel and barrels are crafted in white gold. Second, the opaline dial has been created in a warm “Black Gold” color. And finally, the watch comes with a 10-year warranty instead of the usual Armin Strom 5-year warranty.
The Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance – First Edition (Ref. ST22-RF.75) is limited to 25 pieces and retails for $59,000.
Learn more at Armin Strom.
Photo by Armin Strom.
