What if a watch did not simply measure time, but pushed it to its most extreme point? With the new Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition, the Swiss Manufacture does not simply introduce a new complication, but redefines the way time can be perceived, heard and experienced. This is not merely a minute repeater, but one of the most radical interpretations ever created, where resonance and a Westminster chime coexist within a completely new architecture, designed to transform the measurement of time into a deep and immersive experience.
A NEW ARCHITECTURE FOR THE ARMIN STROM MINUTE REPEATER RESONANCE 12:59 FIRST EDITION
The new Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition was born as an evolution of the concept introduced with the Masterpiece 2, but presents itself with completely revised proportions and a more compact construction. The 42 mm titanium case, with a restrained thickness of 11.70 mm, houses an even higher level of complexity, the result of a total rethinking of every component. Light yet highly technical, it helps make a complication of this level surprisingly wearable, while the front and rear sapphire crystals with anti-reflective treatment allow every detail of the movement to be observed without interference. Water resistance to 5 ATM completes an approach consistent with real-world use, while remaining firmly within the realm of the most sophisticated haute horlogerie.
The design retains Armin Strom’s typical openworked aesthetic, but evolves towards a more essential and controlled language, defined by softer lines and a more fluid architecture. The dial, centred and perfectly balanced, becomes the point of convergence for the entire composition, clearly revealing the resonance system, the four hammers and four gongs, and the flying governor, visible on the dial side, which regulates the cadence of the chime and introduces a dynamic dimension that goes beyond the simple reading of time.
CALIBRE ARR25 AND RESONANCE: THE HEART OF THE SYSTEM
At the centre of this construction comes the new Manufacture Calibre ARR25, a manually wound movement entirely developed, engineered and produced in-house by Armin Strom. The underlying principle is that of resonance, reinterpreted through a proprietary technical solution that takes the concept to a higher level: two completely independent regulating systems, each equipped with its own barrel, gear train, escapement and balance wheel, are synchronised through a patented resonance clutch, giving rise to a harmonious and visible mechanical interaction.
This dual architecture involves a significant increase in complexity, not only because of the number of elements involved, “506 components and 74 jewels”, but above all because of the precision required to ensure the perfect functioning of the system. The movement operates at 3.5 Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour) and offers a 40-hour power reserve, maintaining a refined balance between performance and reliability. The resonance clutch, now oriented upwards, becomes an integral part of the scene and visually reinforces the continuous dialogue between the two balance wheels.
WESTMINSTER MINUTE REPEATER AND 12:59 ANYTIME FUNCTION
The minute repeater of the Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition represents a further step forward in terms of complexity and acoustic depth. The system has been completely redesigned and expanded, moving from two to four hammers and four gongs, capable of reproducing a complete Westminster sequence, making the sound more articulated, richer and more layered than traditional configurations.
Added to this construction is a new function, the 12:59 Anytime, which introduces a new level of interaction with time. In addition to the conventional mode, which chimes the time indicated by the hands, the owner can select the longest possible sequence, equal to 12 hours, three quarters and fourteen minutes, the maximum expression of the mechanism’s capabilities. Selection takes place through a sophisticated column wheel system, while a discreet aperture on the dial, with white or red indication, signals the active mode. Activation is entrusted to a slider positioned at 9 o’clock, which winds and releases the chiming mechanism with a precise and perfectly controlled gesture, consistent with the technical level of the entire project.
SOUND, MOVEMENT AND VISUAL PRESENCE
One of the most distinctive elements of the watch is the flying governor, positioned on the dial side beneath the hammers, which plays a fundamental role in regulating the cadence of the chime. Its function is to ensure perfect acoustic consistency, but its visual presence adds a further level of involvement, transforming the activation of the minute repeater into a complete experience. The movement comes alive, the rhythm takes shape and the mechanics become perceptible not only through sound, but also through the movement itself, making time something that can be observed and heard at the same time.
FINISHING: THE SIGNATURE OF ARMIN STROM
Beyond its technical complexity, the Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition expresses a strong identity through its finishing. Every component is worked and decorated by hand by a dedicated in-house team, with a level of care that extends across the entire surface of the movement. On the dial side, the contrast between polished and matte surfaces creates depth and definition, with the hammers, gongs and resonance clutch spring mirror-polished, while the mainplate and bridges feature a satin and frosted texture. The edges are hand-bevelled, the sinks polished, and every detail contributes to a clear and coherent reading of the structure.
On the caseback side, visible through the sapphire crystal, traditional techniques such as Côtes de Genève and perlageemerge, combined with contemporary finishes that further enrich the composition, creating a balance between tradition and modernity perfectly aligned with the philosophy of the Maison.
A STATEMENT IN 25 PIECES
The Armin Strom Minute Repeater Resonance 12:59 First Edition, reference M26-RMR.5N, is produced in a limited edition of 25 pieces, a number that reflects the complexity of the project and the time required for its realisation. Each piece represents an extreme synthesis of resonance, Westminster minute repeater and mechanical innovation, enclosed in an object that maintains a rare coherence between technique, design and function.
On the wrist, the watch is completed by a matte grey alligator strap with dark grey stitching, paired with a titanium pin buckle, a choice that remains consistent with the technical and essential character of the timepiece, without introducing superfluous or decorative elements.
The price is CHF 390,000, but the value of this watch goes beyond the figure, because it represents a precise vision of contemporary haute horlogerie. Here, time is not merely indicated or measured, but takes form, is heard and becomes an experience, in a balance between sound, mechanics and vision that rarely reaches this level of intensity.
By Jacopo Giudici