In a remarkable fusion of mechanical science and ancestral craft,
Armin Strom and the watch publication Revolution have joined forces to create a timepiece that is as technically profound as it is artistically expressive. The Armin Strom × Revolution Dual Time GMT Resonance ‘Tremblage’ is a limited series of just five unique pieces, each representing a deep commitment to pushing the boundaries of horology while honoring its most cherished artisanal traditions. This collaboration builds upon one of the most significant modern advancements in precision watchmaking—the phenomenon of resonance—and pairs it with a decorative technique that imbues the watch with a living, shimmering soul.
The foundation of this timepiece lies in a physical principle observed centuries ago by Christiaan Huygens and later explored by masters like Antide Janvier and Abraham-Louis Breguet. Resonance, in horology, is the tendency of two closely positioned oscillating bodies—in this case, balance wheels—to synchronize their rhythm. This sympathetic synchronization leads to a more stable and accurate rate, averaging out minor errors and reinforcing resistance to external perturbations like shocks. While historical watchmakers relied on the subtle transmission of vibrations through the movement plate, Armin Strom, under the technical direction of co-owner Claude Greisler, developed a far more direct and efficient solution.
Courtesy of Armin Strom
At the core of the watch's technical prowess is Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch Spring. This is not merely a theoretical enhancement but a tangible piece of engineering that physically connects the two balance wheels. The ingeniously shaped steel spring links the studs of the two hairsprings, which are oriented in opposing directions. This connection forces them to expand and contract in perfect, mirrored synchronicity. The result is a system where the two regulating organs are perpetually correcting and reinforcing one another. If one balance is momentarily disturbed by a shock, the other immediately compels it back into the correct rhythm, allowing the system to recover its stable rate far more quickly than two unlinked balances ever could.
This breakthrough technology has been independently verified by the prestigious Swiss Center for Electronics and Microtechnology (CSEM), the same scientific body responsible for developing silicon technology for the Swiss watch industry. Their tests empirically proved the effectiveness of Armin Strom’s system, confirming that the clutch spring significantly enhances precision and stability. This watch, therefore, isn't just an homage to a historical concept; it's a modern, proven evolution of it. This commitment to verifiable performance sets Armin Strom apart from many independent brands that may revisit historical complications without necessarily advancing their underlying mechanics.
The collaboration with Revolution was born from a shared appreciation for this blend of innovation and tradition. As Revolution approached its 20th anniversary, its founder, Wei Koh, sought a project that would encapsulate the publication's values. The Armin Strom Resonance was a natural fit, but there was an initial practical consideration. The brand's first resonance model, the Mirrored Force Resonance, featured a substantial 43mm case. In response to this, and after three years of dedicated development, Claude Greisler and his team engineered a completely new, more compact iteration.
Courtesy of Armin Strom
This new design materialized as the Dual Time GMT Resonance, housed in a much more wearable 39mm case. The reduction in size was not a simple scaling-down exercise; it required a complete redesign of the movement architecture from the gear train upwards. The new layout is both mechanically and aesthetically considered. Greisler explains that the decision to place the two balance wheels side-by-side at the top of the dial was deliberate, creating a sense of kinetic art and visual harmony. The upper portion of the watch face becomes a theater of precision, where the twin balances beat in unison, visually connected by the rhythmic pulsation of the clutch spring.
Visually, the watch is immediately captivating. The dial is an open-worked stage where mechanics and artistry perform a duet. The eye is first drawn to the two symmetrical time-telling dials, which appear to float above a frosted gold baseplate. These are not ordinary dials; they are discs of solid 18K yellow gold, each painstakingly hand-engraved with a rare and beautiful finish known as "tremblage." This technique involves using a specially shaped burin to create a micro-etched pattern on the metal's surface. The result is a granular, textured finish that catches and refracts light in a way that gives the optical illusion of a gentle, constant trembling.
This delicate and time-consuming work was entrusted to Juliane Gfeller, a master engraver and watchmaker who worked alongside the brand's visionary founder, Armin Strom himself, specializing in the intricate skeletonized pieces that first brought him fame. For this limited series, Gfeller was given the creative freedom to engrave a unique pattern on each of the five sets of dials, ensuring that no two watches in this micro-edition are exactly alike. The untreated yellow gold serves as the perfect canvas, its warm hue contrasting beautifully with the cool tones of the surrounding steel mechanism.
Courtesy of Armin Strom
The display of time is elegantly bifurcated. Each of the two tremblage dials features its own set of rhodium-plated, facetted, and polished hands for the hours and minutes. This allows the wearer to track two independent time zones simultaneously, each with its own minute setting—a useful feature for navigating time zones that are not offset by a full hour. Below each time dial, a small, blackened steel hand rotates within a 24-hour sub-dial, serving as a clear day/night indicator for each respective zone. This dual-time functionality is seamlessly integrated into the resonant architecture, making the watch a highly practical travel companion.
Further enhancing the dial's visual depth and complexity is the exposed ratchet wheel, which is part of the manual winding system. Greisler strategically placed this component on the dial side to create a better visual balance against the twin sub-dials. He even fine-tuned its mechanism to provide the perfect tactile and audible feedback when winding the watch. The bridges holding the dual balances are finished with spéculaire, or black polishing, a demanding technique that results in a flawless, mirror-like surface that appears black from most angles until it catches the light just right. This level of hand-finishing is a testament to the uncompromising quality applied to every component.
The entire spectacle is framed by a sleek stainless steel case. Measuring 39.00 mm in diameter and a remarkably slender 9.05 mm in height, the case possesses modern proportions that are both comfortable and refined. The lug-to-lug distance of 44.50 mm ensures it sits neatly on a wide range of wrists. The case architecture is clean and contemporary, with polished and brushed surfaces creating a subtle interplay of light. Both the front and the exhibition case back are fitted with sapphire crystals treated with an anti-reflective coating, providing a clear and unobstructed view of the mechanical artistry within. The watch is rated for a water resistance of 5 ATM, suitable for daily wear.
Courtesy of Armin Strom
The choice of stainless steel for the case creates a striking contrast with the warm, 18th-century aesthetic of the gold-frosted baseplate and tremblage dials. This juxtaposition of a modern, utilitarian case material with classical, ornate dial work is a hallmark of the collaboration, bridging different eras of watchmaking design into a cohesive whole. The watch is completed with a textured brown calf leather strap, which adds a touch of casual sophistication, and is secured by a simple yet robust stainless steel pin buckle.
Turning the watch over reveals the in-house manufactured caliber ARF22, a movement that is as beautifully finished as it is technically innovative. The view through the sapphire case back is dominated by two large, marine-chronometer-style bridges that support the third wheels for each of the independent gear trains. These bridges are meticulously decorated with sharp, hand-finished inner angles, a detail that is impossible to achieve by machine and is a clear indicator of haute horlogerie craftsmanship. The main barrel bridge is adorned with traditional Côtes de Genève stripes and features expertly executed handmade anglage along its edges.
The ARF22 caliber is manually wound and powered by two independent barrels, which unwind to provide a power reserve of 42 hours. The movement comprises 231 individual parts and 40 jewels, all working together to drive the dual time displays while maintaining the synchronized beat of the two regulating systems. The balance wheels oscillate at a frequency of 25,200 vibrations per hour (3.5 Hz), a steady rhythm that, when coupled with the resonance clutch, delivers exceptional chronometric performance. The movement's specifications are neatly laser-engraved on the back, serving as a final technical signature.
Courtesy of Armin Strom
The Armin Strom × Revolution Dual Time GMT Resonance ‘Tremblage’ is being offered as an extremely limited edition of only five pieces worldwide. This exclusivity underscores the immense amount of handwork and skill invested in each watch, particularly in the unique tremblage engraving performed by Juliane Gfeller. Priced at CHF 100,000 (excluding taxes), it is available exclusively through RevolutionWatch.com. This timepiece is a profound statement on the vitality of independent watchmaking, successfully merging a scientifically proven mechanical innovation with an exquisite, time-honored artistic craft.
Case: Stainless steel, 39.00 mm diameter, 9.05 mm height, 44.50 mm lug-to-lug. Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment. Water resistance 5 ATM.
Movement: Caliber ARF22, manual winding. 42-hour power reserve, 25,200 vph frequency, 40 jewels, 231 parts. Features two independent regulating systems connected by a patented resonance clutch spring. Functions include double hour, double minute, and double day/night indications.
Dial: Two separate solid 18K yellow gold dials with hand-engraved “Tremblage” finish. Gold-frosted base plate. Rhodium, facetted, and polished hands.
Strap: Brown calf leather strap with a stainless steel pin buckle.
Price: CHF 100,000 (excluding taxes).
Notes: A limited edition of 5 unique pieces created in collaboration with Revolution. The watch features a patented resonance clutch spring connecting two balance wheels for enhanced chronometric stability and accuracy. Each of the five dials features a unique tremblage pattern hand-engraved by master engraver Juliane Gfeller.