In preparation for Watches & Wonders Shanghai starting tomorrow, Armin Strom presents the Resonance Sky Blue 3-Piece Limited Edition. Armin Strom carefully maintains a pared-down approach that keeps the brand’s style of watchmaking focused on its essence. How concentrated that style may be, this special-edition head further in that direction, squarely placing emphasis on the watch’s most remarkable feature: the visible dual balances oscillating in resonance. The special blue dial and the matte hand decorated finish are highlighting the Swiss German style of this timepiece.
The dial offers a hand guilloché subdial by Kari Voutilainen for the time indication. White Roman numerals dominate the off-centered subdial displaying hours and minutes with steel hands, while a classic railroad track marks the exact minutes. The smaller subdial with snailed finish at 7 o’clock displays seconds using only a baton-shaped hand and a simple track. The Sky blue colored hand made Guilloché dial from Kari Voutilainen has a special lacquer finishing —Email à froid— in order to reinforce the unique look of the dial.
As far as the movement, calibre ARF16 features bridges that are decorated with eye-catching Côtes de Genève, applied for the first time in straight lines. It's absolutely spectacular movement finishing is often overlooked as the hypnotic pulsation of its clutch spring and the synchronized motion of its two balance wheels provide a mesmerizing distraction that invariably captures most of the attention. This manual wound movement composed of 206 parts provides a power reserve of 48 hours when fully wound.
The reason for this watch’s improved chronometry can be found in the straightforward approach to the movement: the fewer functions a timepiece must perform, the better it can concentrate on accuracy. In other words, with no superfluous functions this watch can focus fully on providing the time in marine chronometer precision. The time displays receive their portioned energy from the lower regulator, while the upper regulator remains in place to create resonance.
Featuring a slim 42 mm in 18K white gold case with reduced lugs and crown and practically no bezel, the characteristic lip at 6 o’clock remains —a homage to the ability of Armin Strom to customize any of its watches as well as to founder Armin Strom, who offered this space to clients for personal engraving.
This special edition of the Pure Resonance looks and acts just like a “normal” three-handed watch. And this remains in line with the philosophy of Armin Strom as a brand: just good, proprietary mechanics presented in an impeccably finished and interesting way. The Pure Resonance Sky Blue is limited to 3 pieces.
Sticker Price CHF 74,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $80,000 USD. For more info on Armin Strom click here.
