The Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance by Armin Strom is a horological Masterpiece and 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 launches the new flagship Masterpiece collection, which highlights Armin Storm’s extraordinary technical and artistic abilities. The new Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance shines a spotlight on the horological principle of Resonance. In a distinctive oval case, two independent movements sit side-by-side, their regulators wedded by Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch Spring performing a continually horological two-step between the dual eye-catching counter-oscillating balances.
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. In this new watch, two independent movements display two independent time zones —not simply one movement with two displays. 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.”
About the Movement
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. Power reserve indicators on each of the hand-guilloché dials and a 24-hour indication at 6 o’clock complete the indications. 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.
While it has been long known that resonance in watch and clock movements with synchronized coupled oscillators improves accuracy by averaging slight differences in the precision of each movement and in wristwatches minimizes adverse effects of shocks on precision. Less known is that resonance also conserves energy: vibrational energy that is normally be lost through the supports of the regulator is conserved in the system. Armin Strom’s laboratory testing has revealed gains in precision of 15-20% for two COSC chronometer-level regulated movements placed in resonance. “Form follows function” could have been written for the Dual Time Resonance: two movements side by side —rather than stacked vertically— naturally led to the oval-shaped case, while the increased space afforded by the movements in this configuration allowed for two barrels per movement and a longer power reserve. Gazing through the display back at all four barrels winding simultaneously is as mesmerizing as the ballet of the dual regulators on the dial.
About the Watch
The new Armin Strom Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance launches in a limited edition of 8 pieces in Grade 5 titanium with an oval case —similar to the Audemars Piguet Millenary— measuring 59 mm x 43.4 mm. Fitted with two black hand-guilloché dials, the Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance 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, one 24-hour indicator, four mainspring barrels, and two conical power reserve indicators. The resonance clutch spring allows the mysterious force of resonance to be visualized in real time. It’s a visually entertaining complication as well as a technical tour de force; a performance-enhancing mechanism so obvious that you can see it.
In the pursuit of horological accuracy, precision and rate stability, resonance has usually involved using two independent movements connected to allow fine tuning of the distance between them. Until Armin Strom, precise adjustment of the distance between the two regulators has been necessary to incite resonance. However, Armin Strom Resonant Clutch Spring eliminates the necessity for fine tuning the distance and ensures a much more reliable and efficient resonant system. When starting out of resonance, the Armin Strom Resonant Clutch Spring can take up to 10 minutes to synchronise the two systems. The idea of resonance has endured for three centuries for a reason, but that doesn’t mean you can’t improve upon it. Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch Spring is an innovative way of upgrading an old concept, one that is horology’s very reason for being: precision and accuracy.
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’. The Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance is water resistant to 50 meters and delivered on a black alligator strap with double folding clasp.
Sticker Price CHF 180,000 Swiss Francs —approximately $182,000 USD. For more info on Armin Strom click here.
