iW Magazine Fall 2019 | Page 40

Boutique ARMIN STROM Minute Repeater Resonance Adding a new dimension to Armin Strom’s resonance escapement is the world’s first and only Resonance Repeater. Inspired by a sixteenth-century tower clock within his hometown canton, chief technical officer Claude Greisler wanted to pay homage to the region of his birth in Switzerland. He found his muse within the landmark thirteenth-century Zytglogge that has served as Bern’s main clock for more than 500 years and chimes the time at the top of every hour. Within the new Armin Strom Repeater Resonance masterpiece the mechanics of the repeating mechanism have been moved to the fore. You can easily view two, three-dimension- ally curved gongs encircling the hour/minute sub dial while the striking hammers are placed in a balanced display with the two independent resonance regulators. Crafted in grade 5 titanium for optimal sound transmission and light weight, the robust 47.7 mm size amplifies the sound with gongs attached directly to the inside of the titanium case. Armin Strom’s Minute Repeater Resonance is limited to an edition of only ten pieces in recognition of the tenth anniversary of the young manufacture. Designed during a three-year partnership with Greisler’s old friend and co-worker Alain Schiesser from Christophe Claret (well noted for its own expertise in chiming watches), the watch is a pinnacle mix of visual stimulation and aural charm. If you wish to own one of the ten to be made, you can expect to invest around $380,000. See Armin Strom watches at the following Lead- ing Watch retailers: Armstrong Rockwell, Hartford Watches of Switzerland, New York IW RATING Design: 7 (out of 10) Aesthetics determined by engineering and finishing of functional components. Innovation: 9 A horological first combining the esoteric and the obvious. Finissage: 9 Few can compare. Every surface treated with exquisite skill. Legibility: 8 Easy to read and you can always activate the repeater in the dark. Rarity: 9 Only ten will be made, ever. Value: 8 Previous variations appear to hold up well in High end collectors will covet Overall iW rating: 50 (out of 60) 40 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2019