The acoustic concept of resonance in clock and watchmaking is age-old. It was first identified by Christiaan Huygens in the 17th century, who realised that suspending two pendulums from the same anchor and in proximity to one another would result in them eventually synchronising and swinging to a similar frequency. Employing this principle but placing the two frequencies emanating from twin balances in opposition to one another could then in theory help consistently cancel out errors of frequency in either. This principle would aid linear chronometry. This theory was furthered in the 18th century by the likes of Antide Janvier and Abraham-Louis Breguet, first in clocks and then miniaturised for pocket watches. In more recent times, F.P. Journe has brought the principle to the wristwatch.

First seen in 2016, Armin Strom’s Mirrored Force Resonance linked the balance spring studs of two free-sprung balances beat in opposition to one another with a resonance clutch spring. Such a physical linking was the brand’s innovation to the concept of resonance in wristwatches. This arrangement made the synchronicity markedly more immediate – when wound from a dead stop, the balances reach resonance in about 10 minutes. When set off sync due to shock, resonance is restored within a matter of minutes.

Owing to the brand’s vertically integrated operation, research and development was done in house over a course of two years, under the leadership of technical director Claude Greisler. Known for its references with long power reserve and extensive skeletonisation, the Calibre ARF15, which was first fitted to the Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition White in 2016, is the most technical and complicated movement the brand has ventured. The resonance and its resulting timekeeping accuracy is certified by the Observatoire de Besançon. The watch comes with this certification.

The 43.4mm diameter case on this example is crafted from platinum. The case stands 13mm tall. The polished bezel slopes down and meets the vertically brushed midcase with a facet. The bezel has the plaque at 6 o’clock, which is the brand’s visual signature. While it is left blank on this example, the brand obliges clients who choose to customise theirs by engraving a detail or motif on here. The exhibition case has a similarly polished facet. The rim of the caseback is circular polished with recesses that have been media blasted. These feature embossing detailing the 5ATM of water resistance and country of origin. Also, on here are engraved the precious metal hallmarks. 

The lugs are short and taper down. They feature a facet and their 22mm distance is furnished with a black alligator-grained leather strap. The watch also comes with a navy rubber strap. Both straps are secured by a signed platinum pin buckle.
The time telling aspect is confined to the right hand of the dial side. Pearlescent in shade, it wears concentric circular engine turning across all parts. The blue chapter of Arabic hours is laid out on a raised plinth, with bevelled edges exposing the metal base the dial is built on. This chapter is interrupted by the twin seconds displays. The alpha hands are finely black polished. The twin subsidiary seconds registers are incomplete so as to not obstruct the view of the two balances – they feature a partially exposed stainless-steel rim on which the two open-work incomplete white chapters are built. Their sector-style chapters are also achieved in blue. The are plied by a three-armed seconds indicators. However, only the arm that hasn’t been coated in white serves to display the seconds. The arms perfectly mirror each other’s actions.
Visible through their open-work layout is the heart-shaped cam co-axially mounted on the pinion on which the seconds hands pivot. Pressing the pusher at 2 o’clock causes two levers to simultaneously push on the cams, returning both seconds indicators to the zero position. It provides a tangible way for the wearer to interact with the mirrored resonance phenomenon.

On the left side of the dial are the twin balances of the Calibre ARF15 beating at 3.5Hz. The resonance clutch spring is one contiguous piece that originates from the same base as the balance bridges and snakes around the balance wheels. It is finely black polished on top. The balance bridges are vertically brushed while their bevelled edges are mirror polished. Both balance wheels pivot on jewels protected by incabloc shock protection. The baseplate visible under the balances is media blasted. Parts such as the clutches of the of the seconds reset architecture are brushed while the visible screw heads are black polished.

Seen through the exhibition caseback are the twin skeletonised mainspring barrels as well as the crown wheel. The appearance is industrial with the bridges finished with Côtes de Genève and the wheels either solarised or circular brushed. A trapezoidal bridge, with mirrored anglage on its edges, features a circular plaque with the movement details. It also features laser etching of a ‘vipère’. This engraving appears to be particular to the watch and doesn't appear on other examples of this series. The baseplate features two apertures that reach all the way to the dial side. This is integral to the resonance architecture. 

In addition to its certification from the Observatoire de Besançon, the watch comes with its full set of outer and inner boxes and warranty paperwork. The Mirrored Force Resonance Manufacture Edition White represents the first series of a considerable innovation to one of the challenging concepts in watchmaking. 

If sold within the United Kingdom, this Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance will be subject to 20% VAT

Closer look

Condition

This Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show virtually no signs of wear. The dial, hands, and movement are free from any signs of imperfections and have been well preserved. On the caseback and buckle, the hallmarks and engravings are crisp and well defined.

Warranty

The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.