Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance
2017 GPHG Mechanical Exception Category Finalist
With the hypnotic, rhythmic animation of its unusual mechanism, the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance watch captures the mystery of resonance in a synchronised symmetrical ballet of elegance and motion.
Among the six preselected finalists in the GPHG 2017 Mechanical Exception category it's going to take a very special watch to emerge victorious. Three of them feature tourbillons as well as other exotic complications, two are minute repeater watches, but only one, the Mirrored Force Resonance by Armin Strom is based around the elusive phenomena of resonance, and with its exposed components on display, it's a fascinating thing to behold.
To achieve the effect of resonance in a watch requires an identical pair of oscillating balance and escapement assemblies, positioned at the precise distance apart so that the two become harmonised, and their oscillations fall exactly into time as they rotate, counter directionally, to each other. The benefits of this include a constant force delivery, the ability to resynchronise in the event of a disruptive impact, and to optimise the movement's accuracy.
It's a complication so challenging to perfect that no other example of it has been up for a GPHG award since 2010, and the Chronomètre à Résonance by F.P. Journe; a watch which ultimately went home with the honours and the cherished Aiguille award, underlining its significance as a feat of horology.
Resonance also lends itself to aesthetic symmetry, and Armin Strom have made a feature out of this characteristic by pairing each balance with its own seconds dial, so that the upper and lower halves of the dial are like a mirror reflection of the other, even down to the architecture of the movement's components. It is a graceful and complex arrangement, and purely for amusement value, even has a push button above the crown which allows the wearer to reset it and watch it resynchronise.
Even when pitted against a formidable selection of fellow contenders, it must be considered as a potential winner, particularly noting the 2010 success for the atelier of F.P. Journe.
The Watch Press prediction
As the brand's most complicated piece to date, the Mirrored Force Resonance might just be the one to finally give this privately owned watch company the success it deserves. So, could it win? Yes. But will it win? Hmmmm.
The pertinents
REFERENCE: RG16-RF.5N
CASE: Pink gold
BRACELET/STRAP: Leather
BUCKLE: Folding clasp
MOVEMENT: Hand winding mechanical with resonance complication. Power reserve: 48 h, 25'200 vph
FUNCTIONS: Hours, Minutes, Seconds
SIZE: ø 43.4 mm
THICKNESS: 15.3 mm
WATERPROOFNESS: 50 m
PRICE EXCL.VAT: 69'000 CHF
