s far as groundbreaking concepts in watchmaking go, perhaps none is as rare or as coveted as resonance. While first attempted centuries ago by the greatest watchmakers of the 18th and 19th centuries in a bid to offer greater chronometric precision and consistency, Armin Strom succeeded where others could not, with its own unique solution that exploits the physical phenomenon of resonance in an ingenious and unprecedented way.

First introduced by Armin Strom in 2016, the Mirrored Force Resonance and its patented mechanism underwent a complete redesign last year, taking on a strikingly elegant form with a newly designed case, movement and dial. Following the success of the Mirrored Force Resonance First Edition, which was made in a series of 25 and boasts an achromatic aesthetic, the time has come to present the first Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition, a limited edition of 50 pieces contrasting colour accents.

Within the elegantly slender stainless steel case, which measures 43mm x 11.55mm, and under the raised sapphire glass box, the contrast between vibrant colours and open mechanics brings the Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition to life. The off-centre dial is dark blue in colour, with a grenage textured central element surrounded by a circular satin-brushed chapter ring, featuring applied polished baton indices adding even more depth to the already highly three-dimensional display. The twin resonance second counters are also finished in the same blue tone, painted with white numerals for maximum legibility. Completing the blue overtones, the Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition is delivered on a matching dark blue Alcantara strap.

Armin Strom has constructed the Mirrored Force Resonance’s wholly exceptional movement in a way that ensures as many of its key components as possible are visible. On the dial side, the two balance bridges have been openworked for more visual harmony between the two synchronized balanced wheels and the off-centre dial. The pusher at 2 o’clock allows the two running seconds indicators – which rotate in mirrored clockwise and counter-clockwise motions – to be reset to zero and visually track the state of resonance. The case back view reveals the engraved main plate, which details the specific characteristics of the Mirrored Force Resonance in bas-relief text. The remarkable symmetry of the movement is accentuated with its mirrored arrangement of open bridges and gears.

True to Armin Strom’s ethos of crafting exceptional calibres with the finest finishing and attention to even the smallest detail, each component is painstakingly hand-decorated by one of the manufacture’s dedicated watchmakers. The perlage, satin-brushing, chamfering and polishing techniques are carefully executed for each and every component, elevating the notion of haute horlogerie into miniature, wearable art.

With its groundbreaking and patented Resonance Clutch Spring, Armin Strom has attained the “holy grail” of watchmaking, by harnessing the physical phenomenon of resonance and thus enabling more regular timekeeping achieved through the synchronization of two balance wheels that oscillate in opposite directions simultaneously. Conceived, developed and produced entirely at the Armin Strom manufacture in Biel, the Resonance Clutch Spring is the result of years of intensive research by Claude Greisler and the manufacture. Crafted from a single piece of steel, the Resonance Clutch Spring is designed to transfer energy between both hairsprings and quickly bring the balance wheels into resonance. Armin Strom’s newest generation of resonance is the quickest and most reliable on the market, synchronizing faster than any other watch that uses resonance and remaining in a resonant state longer than any other.

Thanks to the Resonance Clutch Spring, a flexible suspension connecting the two hairsprings with its balance wheels, all of Armin Strom’s Resonance watches are more resistant to shocks or vibrations than standard mechanical movements. Precision and consistency are, of course, the ultimate goals of mechanical watchmaking and resonance plays a crucial role in helping these amazing watches keep time consistently over days, weeks and months. Armin Strom’s goal is a watch that the owner knows will tell the time consistently, day in and day out.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

• Reference no. ST22-RF.05
• Indications: Hours, minutes, twin-seconds
• Movement: Armin Strom manufacture Calibre ARF21
• Winding mechanism: Manual winding
• Regulating system: two independent regulating systems connected by a resonance clutch spring
• Power reserve: 48 hours
• Dimensions: 37.20 mm x 6.70 mm
• Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)
• Jewels: 39
• Number of components: 276
• Case: Stainless steel
• Sapphire crystal and caseback with anti-reflective treatment Diameter: 43.00 mm
• Height: 11.55 mm
• Water resistance: 3 ATM
• Dial: Dark blue with grenage centre and a circular satin-brushed chapter ring and applied polished baton indices
• Hands: Steel, manufactured by Armin Strom, decorated by hand
• Strap: Dark blue Alcantara strap with white stitching and double folding clasp in stainless steel
• Limited to 50 pieces
• Price: CHF 63’000