Trying to appeal to a more conservative customer that prefers smaller timepieces, Armin Strom has just presented the new Pure Resonance housed in a slimmer 42 mm case —1.4 mm smaller than the original Mirrored Force Resonance— with reduced lugs and crown and practically with no bezel, though the characteristic lip at 6 o’clock remains as an homage to the ability of Armin Strom to customize any of its watches as well as to their founder Armin Strom, who offered this space to clients for personal engraving.

Based on the same horological principle as the Mirrored Force Resonance, this new watch is also a Resonance timepiece but without the seconds indicators of its predecessor. In general, Armin Strom carefully maintains a pared-down approach that keeps the brand’s style of watchmaking focused on its essence. With its visible dual balances oscillating in resonance, the dial of the new Pure Resonance now offers just two subdials for time display. The new Armin Strom Pure Resonance is available in either stainless steel as Pure Resonance Water or 18K rose gold as Pure Resonance Fire.

About the Watch

In a classic approach, Roman numerals and a railroad minute track in white dominate the off-centered dial displaying the hours and minutes in either black or blue depending on the model you choose. A smaller subdial at 7 o’clock displays the seconds using only a baton-shaped hand and a simple track. While many would question the removal of the running seconds in parallel of the Mirrored Force Resonance when compared to the new Pure Resonance, the goal of the Pure Resonance has not changed. Brand Director Claude Greisler has removed the twin seconds flyback mechanism of the Calibre ARF15 and replaced them with one clear-cut subsidiary seconds subdial. Below see the Mirrored Force Resonance.

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 precisely providing the time. The time displays receive their portioned energy from the lower regulator, while the upper regulator remains in place to create resonance.

This conceptual forthrightness is reflected in the design of the movement: state-of-the-art basic Caliber ARF16 showcases the resonant regulators and playful resonance clutch spring. New bridges are decorated with succinct, eye-catching côtes de Genève, applied for the first time at Armin Strom in straight lines. “The purpose of redesigning the movement’s architecture was clarity, thereby putting focus on the resonance assembly and accuracy,” says Greisler.

The Movement

Powered by the resonant caliber ARF16 —modified from the ARF15— this manual wound movement is composed of 226 parts and 43 jewels and it was conceived, manufactured, assembled and regulated in-house. The movement beats at the atypical frequency of 3.5 Hertz —25,200 vph—, allowing the observer to really appreciate the patented, resonant regulators in action. While the real show takes place on the dial side, the base plate of the movement is exquisitely decorated with vertical Côtes de Genève and with two skeletonized mainspring barrels. Thanks to its two barrels, the movement provides a power reserve of 48 hours when fully wound.

On the Wrist & Pricing

On the wrist, the new Armin Strom Pure Resonance Water and Pure Resonance Fire wear true to their size and quite comfortably. While the new watches are only a mere 1.4 mm smaller than the Mirrored Force Resonance, the difference in size between the two is easy to perceive. The Pure Resonance Water and Pure Resonance Fire are available in a limited edition of only 50 pieces each. While both watches are equally nice, the Pure Resonance Fire in 18K rose gold is our preferred model, but we wouldn't choose this new watch over the Mirrored Force Resonance with its double synchronized seconds indicators.

Sticker Price $54,000 USD for stainless steel and $69,000 USD for 18K rose gold. For more info on Armin Strom click here.