The first Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance by Armin Strom was released last year as the first watch in a new collection. A chef-d'œuvre combining the practicality of two completely independent time indications with the increased precision of two independent movements in resonance. The Dual Time Resonance launched the new flagship Masterpiece collection highlighting Armin Storm’s extraordinary technical and artistic abilities with an 8-piece limited edition in titanium. Putting the spotlight on the horological principle of Resonance with a distinctive oval case measuring 59 mm x 43.4 mm, two independent movements sit side-by-side with their regulators wedded by Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch Spring.

After the successful release of the first Masterpiece 1 Dual Time GMT Resonance in titanium, during the SIHH 2019, Armin Strom released their first ever sapphire crystal case with two blue subdials side-by-side to make things even better. Available in a limited edition of 8 pieces with its scratch-resistant full sapphire crystal oval case the Dual Time Resonance Sapphire has no boundaries. Diamond-coated tools spent days cutting, then milling the case components from massive sapphire crystal blocks. The case is then polished for days, transforming the opaque milled crystal into one that is crystal clear.

Things to Know About the Watch

The two independent movements display two independent time zones —not simply one movement with two displays. Fitted with two hand-guilloché dials by Kari Voutilainen, the Dual Time Resonance Titanium or Sapphire displays two time zones brilliantly. Additionally, the independent second time display can also function as a countdown indicator or for tracking elapsed time.

Two independent —aside from resonance— movements, two independent time displays, four mainspring barrels, two conical power reserve indicators on each of the hand-guilloché dials and a 24-hour indication at 6 o’clock complete the indications. The watch is delivered on a blue alligator strap with stainless steel double folding clasp for the Sapphire model and with a black alligator strap with stainless steel double folding clasp for the Water model.

The Movement

Fitted with two independent movements enable the Dual Time Resonance to indicate GMT or a second time zone, as well as a function used as a timer or countdown. For this particular watch, Armin Strom did not set out to make a dual time watch but the principal aim was to showcase the resonance movement to the maximum. The movement architecture was a perfect meld of form and function: spreading the two movements apart horizontally in the Dual Time Resonance —compared to the two vertically stacked movements of the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance you can see here— meant that a dial on each movement was a logical choice.

The Resonance Clutch Spring is the key to Armin Strom’s mastery of resonance first presented in 2016 and the result of three-years of intensive research and development. Armin Strom’s Co-Founder and technical director Claude Greisler explains: “Developing a perpetual calendar or tourbillon would have been far easier than the years we spent calculating and validating the Resonance Clutch Springs, it was uncharted territory.”

The CSEM —Centre Suisse d'Electronique et de Microtechnique— has officially certified Armin Strom’s resonance system based on the clutch spring as being a true system in resonance. Its beating heart the calibre ARF17 is a manual wound movement with 419 components, four mainspring barrels, two independent regulation systems connected by a patented resonance clutch spring, 70 jewels, dual off-centered time indications and capable of providing a power reserve of more than four days for each movement while beating at the unusual frequency of 3.5 Hz —25,200 vph. Fully visible via the display case back, the finishing of this movement is out of this world and a perfect example of ‘haute horlogerie’.

On the Wrist & Price

On the wrist, the Armin Strom Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance wears big but surprisingly comfortably and not disproportionate at all. A feat of horology in its true essence and two incredible masterpieces that show the horological prowess of this relatively young independent watchmaking brand. Both watches are available in a limited edition of 8 pieces each.

Sticker Price $185,000 USD for Titanium and $285,000 USD for Sapphire. For more info on Armin Strom click here.