Armin Strom is throwing a celebration for the 5 years anniversary for their resonance technology. What better way to celebrate this, than by releasing a rather jaw-dropping Pièce Unique.
The Zeitgeist puts Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch Spring at the center of attention. The technology is showcased in the Zeitgeist by exposing the entire mechanism with an open dial architecture. Armin Strom nicely illustrates the principle behind their patented Resonance Clutch Spring in the video below:
As per Armin Strom ‘resonance relies on the ability of two oscillating mechanisms to transmit vibrational energy between each other, each affecting the other’s rate. When two pendulums or balance wheels are mounted to a common structure, small vibrations – literal waves of energy – are shared through the structure supporting the oscillators. A small force is either added to or subtracted from the opposite oscillator by this energy, averaging their rate by speeding the slower one up and slowing the faster one down. This continues until both rates perfectly synchronize and hold each other at a consistent rate. Based on Breguet’s early experiments, Armin Strom learned that the most effective way to create resonance was to link the two oscillators via the shared suspension. This allows the vibrations to be passed to the opposite balance wheelBalance Wheel The balance wheel is a component of a mechanical watch movement that oscillates at a consistent rate. It receives a small impulse from the pallet fork, which is part of the escapement mechanism. The balance wheel is connected to a hairspring that controls the rate of oscillation of the balance wheel. The balance wheel and hairspring work together to keep accurate time. The oscillations of the balance wheel drive the timekeeping functions of the watch. The balance wheel is a crucial component of a mechanical watch movement. [Learn More] in the most direct possible way’. Implementing this in their caliberCaliber The caliber ('movement') is the heart and engine of a watch. It consists of a number of interconnected components that work together. Energy is transmitted through the gear train, to the escapement mechanism. The escapement mechanism releases this energy in a controlled manner. This drives the gear train, which ultimately rotates the hands of the watch and keeps time. [More Info] helps with shock resistance, precision and timekeeping consistency.
This technology being the star of the show, the rest of the dial has remained ‘relatively’ muted. Emphasis on relatively! When comparing to for example their previously released Mirrored Force Resonance Special edition Guilloché Dial, this particular release very openly invites you to observe the mechanics at work.
The 43mm case has been crafted from platinum and the movement, created in-house by Armin Strom’s specialists, has been produced in traditional watchmaking metals including German silverGerman Silver German silver, also known as nickel silver and Maillechort, is an alloy made up of copper, nickel and zinc. It is called "silver" because of its silver-like color, but it does not contain any silver. It has a distinct color which develops a warm patina over time [Learn More], steel, and brass. All of those mechanics fit in a case no thicker than 11.55mm which is impressive to say the least.
Technical specification:
Reference no. PT21-ZG.50
Indications: Hours, minutes, twin display of seconds
Movement: Armin Strom manufacture Caliber ARF21_ZG
Hand-wound movement, patented resonance clutch spring, 2 mainspringMainspring
The mainspring is a spiral-shaped metal spring that stores energy in a mechanical watch movement. It is located inside the barrel. The mainspring is wound, either manually or automatically. The mainspring unwinds over time, and the watch will stop running when the mainspring is fully unwound.
[Learn More] barrels Regulating system: two independent regulation systems connected by a resonance clutch spring, twin second fly-backFlyback A flyback function on a chronograph watch, allows the user to reset the chronograph back to zero and start timing again with a single button press (no need to first stop the watch).
[Learn More]
Power reserveRéserve de marche Also known as Power Reserve. A watch's power reserve refers to the amount of time a mechanical watch can run without being wound. The power reserve of a mechanical watch can vary depending on the size of the mainspring, the efficiency of the gear train, and the rate at which the mainspring releases energy. If a watch has a Power Reserve 'complication' it simply means that the status of the power reserve can be seen on the watch itself (either on the dial or movement side of the watch).
[Learn More]: 80 hours
Dimensions: 36.60 mm x 7.00mm
Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)
JewelsJewels
Watch jewels are small, synthetic sapphire or ruby bearings that are used in mechanical watches to reduce friction and wear on moving parts. They are typically made from corundum. They are used as bearings for a.o. the pivots to reduce friction.
[Learn More]: 39
Number of components: 260
Case: Platinum
Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment Diameter: 43 mm
Height: 11.55 mm
Width between lugs: 22mm
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Dial: 18ct White Gold “vernis laqué poli”
Hands: Manufactured by Armin Strom – stainless steel with hand finishing Strap: Black alligator leather strap and double folding clasp
Price: CHF 160.000 / EUR 150.000 / USD 170.000
Limited Edition: 1 unique piece
More info right here
Pièce Unique