Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonnance First Edition
Geneva Watch Days: Armin Strom Reimagines Its Ground-Breaking Resonance Dual Timer
Armin Strom’s big unveiling during Geneva Watch Days was both surprising and exactly what we have come to expect from the innovative and artful independent brand.
By Mike Espindle
Executive Editor
The impressive Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition is not only notable as a Geneva Watch Days debut; the timepiece is also a celebration of Armin Strom’s 15th anniversary as a fully integrated manufacture.
We first saw the Dual Time Resonance (dubbed the Masterpiece 1) in 2018, sporting its large, highly recognizable, oblong format that was nothing less than a commanding wrist presence.
Then, last year, we saw a smaller, circular execution of the Resonance (albeit without the two-dial approach) in a collaborative piece with famed collector Horomariobro.
Now, the new 25-piece limited edition Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition – with its much anticipated, perfectly round 39mm white gold case and fully independent GMT function for the second time zone (regardless of which dial you choose) – is a complete re-envisioning of the maker’s most emblematic innovation.
Proving, once again, that “smaller” and “more” don’t necessarily have to be mutually exclusive.
Dual Time Delight
Most dual time zone watches only allow an hourly modification on a single dial surface. However, because the new Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition uses two full dials, a user can sync an additional time zone to exact hours and minutes…and on either of the dials, to boot.
As brand founder Serge Michel noted at the debut: “Having two completely independent watch movements in a single timepiece creates the logical demand for an iteration that displays two time zones.
“The success of our first Dual Time inspired us to build a smaller and more elegant Dual Time Resonance watch. To do this, we further developed our concept and arranged the two movements vertically. And we couldn’t be happier with the result.”
Natural Resonance, Plus
The “resonance” part of the equation is achieved by housing two dedicated movements (one for each dial surface) in a single case. The balance wheels of both movements are then regulated and synced with each other as a result of shared, passive vibrations.
In other words, Armin Strom’s patented clutch spring suspension system acts as a vibrational “middleman,” enhancing this natural effect and the accuracy of the Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition.
In a press release about the new watch, master watchmaker and brand co-founder Claude Greisler commented on historical “resonance” timepiece makers, saying: “[Christian] Huygens had his wood beam transmitting the necessary vibrations between his pendulum clocks, and Antide Janvier had the shared suspension of his pendulums.
Their accomplishments inspired us to develop a built-for-purpose suspension for the reliable transmission of vibrations between the two balance wheels of a wristwatch in order to achieve the resilience against the disruption that Huygens had so ambitiously imagined in the year 1665.”
Double Vision
Regardless of its relative place among horology giants, the design of this 39mm white gold marvel is also visually delightful. Of course, Armin Strom is particularly notable for watches with offset time dials, and the new Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition is no exception.
Yes, the piece’s two sky blue, grenage-finished dials with day/night indicators are technically offset, riding side-by-side towards the lower half of the dial face, and create an incredible sense of overall balance. The two slightly raked crowns at 4 and 8 o’clock add to that symmetry.
Moreover, the movement’s visibility on the dial side results in a fascinating kind of kinetic art show as the two synchronized balance wheels pulse, and the regulating clutch spring almost appears to breathe as it shares the vibrations between the wheels.
Flip it over, and you will see that the visible movement shares the dial-side’s symmetrical architecture.
Details, Details
Powered by a new manufacture ARF22 manual-wind calibre (the 18th calibre designed by Greisler, by the way), this movement features two main spring barrels providing a power reserve of 42 hours. Meanwhile, all winding duties are handled by the 4 o’clock crown.
Delivered on a matte gray alligator strap with sober pearl gray stitching and coming with a matte grey alligator strap with bolder sky blue stitching, the new Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance First Edition lists for $120,700 and is, again, limited to 25 pieces.
For more information, check out the Armin Strom website.
(Front image by Pierre Vogel)
