The watch world is a fascinating realm where timekeeping meets artistry, and few timepieces embody this fusion as exquisitely as the
Armin Strom x Franz Gertsch Mirrored Force Resonance Lapislazuli. This extraordinary creation, a unique piece crafted for the TimeForArt 2024 auction, is a testament to the harmonious blend of horological mastery and artistic expression.
Armin Strom, an independent Swiss watch manufacturer renowned for its innovative approach to haute horlogerie, has partnered with the legacy of the late Swiss artist Franz Gertsch to create a timepiece that transcends the boundaries of traditional watchmaking. This collaboration is not merely a coincidental meeting of two creative forces; it's a union deeply rooted in a shared appreciation for precision, craftsmanship, and the pursuit of pushing creative boundaries.
Courtesy of Ressence
The story begins in Burgdorf, Switzerland, a small town that served as the birthplace of both Mr. Armin Strom, the master skeletonizer, and the home of the Museum Franz Gertsch. This museum, dedicated to the works of the celebrated Swiss artist, was established through the dedication of the Michel family, founders of Armin Strom. The family's profound admiration for Gertsch's artistic creations laid the foundation for this unique collaboration, a tribute to the artist and his enduring legacy.
Franz Gertsch, renowned for his photorealistic paintings and expressive prints, shared a common ground with Armin Strom in their relentless pursuit of innovation. Gertsch's artistic journey, marked by a constant evolution of style and technique, mirrors Armin Strom's dedication to pushing the boundaries of horological ingenuity. This shared philosophy, coupled with the deep-rooted connection between the Michel family and Franz Gertsch, made the Mirrored Force Resonance the ideal canvas for this artistic tribute.
The Mirrored Force Resonance, a masterpiece of horological engineering, is characterized by its groundbreaking resonance mechanism. This patented technology utilizes two independent balance wheels connected by a Resonance Clutch Spring, ensuring unparalleled chronometric consistency and precision. The balance wheels, oscillating in perfect harmony, symbolize the interconnectedness of art and time, a concept that lies at the heart of this exceptional timepiece.
The dial of the Armin Strom x Franz Gertsch Mirrored Force Resonance Lapislazuli is a testament to the watch's artistic inspiration. Adorned with pulverized and refined lapis lazuli, the dial evokes the "Blue Phase" of Franz Gertsch's artistic career. This period, marked by the artist's extensive use of ultramarine, a rich blue pigment derived from lapis lazuli, is beautifully captured in the watch's captivating dial.
Courtesy of Ressence
The ultramarine used in the watch's dial is not just any pigment; it's sourced from the same lapis lazuli deposits that Gertsch himself used in his monumental paintings. This meticulous attention to detail, a hallmark of Armin Strom's craftsmanship, ensures that the watch is not just an homage to Gertsch's art but a physical embodiment of his creative spirit.
The lapis lazuli dial, a mesmerizing spectacle of
Deep Blue hues, is the result of a collaboration with dial experts ArteCad. Their expertise in working with this rare pigment has enabled Armin Strom to achieve a dial that is both visually stunning and technically flawless. The dial's rich texture and captivating color variations create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, drawing the viewer into the depths of its artistic beauty.
The stainless steel case, measuring 43mm in diameter, provides a sleek and contemporary frame for the watch's intricate mechanics and artistic dial. The sapphire crystal and caseback, treated with anti-reflective coating, offer an unobstructed view of the watch's inner workings, allowing the wearer to appreciate the intricate dance of the Mirrored Force Resonance mechanism.
The hands, crafted from steel and meticulously decorated by hand, further exemplify the watch's dedication to artisanal craftsmanship. Their elegant design and precise movements ensure effortless readability, while their refined finish adds a touch of understated luxury to the timepiece.
Completing the watch's refined aesthetic is a white nubuck leather strap, adorned with white stitching and secured by a stainless steel double folding clasp. The strap's supple texture and understated elegance complement the watch's overall design, ensuring a comfortable and stylish fit on the wrist.
Courtesy of Ressence
At the heart of this watch beats the Armin Strom manufacture Calibre ARF21, a manually wound movement comprising 276 components, each meticulously crafted and finished to the highest standards of haute horlogerie. This mechanical marvel, measuring 37.20 mm in diameter and 6.70 mm in height, boasts a power reserve of 48 hours, ensuring uninterrupted performance for days on end.
The movement's pièce de résistance is undoubtedly the patented Resonance Clutch Spring. This ingenious mechanism, visible through the watch's sapphire crystal caseback, connects two independent regulating systems, each with its own balance wheel oscillating at a frequency of 3.5 Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour).
The Resonance Clutch Spring acts as a vibrational intermediary between the two balance wheels, synchronizing their oscillations and enhancing the watch's chronometric precision. This synchronization phenomenon, known as resonance, minimizes the effects of external disturbances on the watch's accuracy, ensuring unparalleled timekeeping consistency.
To fully appreciate the complexity of this mechanism, imagine two pendulums hanging side by side. When set in motion independently, they swing at their own pace. However, when connected by a spring, their movements gradually synchronize, resulting in a harmonious and stable oscillation. This is the principle behind Armin Strom's Mirrored Force Resonance, a testament to the brand's mastery of horological mechanics.
The Calibre ARF21 is further enhanced by 39 jewels, meticulously placed to minimize friction and wear between the movement's intricate components. This attention to detail, a hallmark of Armin Strom's watchmaking philosophy, ensures the longevity and reliability of the timepiece, making it a true heirloom to be passed down through generations.
Courtesy of Ressence
The watch's 43 mm stainless steel case provides a robust and contemporary housing for the intricate mechanics within. Its sleek design and polished finish exude an understated sophistication, while its 11.55 mm height ensures a comfortable fit on the wrist.
The case's sapphire crystal and caseback, treated with anti-reflective coating, offer an unobstructed view of the movement's mesmerizing mechanics. The wearer can marvel at the intricate dance of the two balance wheels, their synchronized oscillations a testament to the watch's technical prowess.
The dial, a captivating canvas of deep blue hues, is undoubtedly the watch's most striking feature. Crafted from pulverized and refined lapis lazuli, the dial pays homage to Franz Gertsch's "Blue Phase," a period in his artistic career characterized by the extensive use of ultramarine pigment.
The ultramarine used in the dial is sourced from the same lapis lazuli deposits that Gertsch himself favored, ensuring an authentic connection to the artist's legacy. The dial's rich texture and captivating color variations create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, drawing the viewer into the depths of its artistic beauty.
The hands, crafted from steel and meticulously decorated by hand, further exemplify the watch's dedication to artisanal craftsmanship. Their elegant design and precise movements ensure effortless readability, while their refined finish adds a touch of understated luxury to the timepiece.
Courtesy of Ressence
Completing the watch's refined aesthetic is a white nubuck leather strap, adorned with white stitching and secured by a stainless steel double folding clasp. The strap's supple texture and understated elegance complement the watch's overall design, ensuring a comfortable and stylish fit on the wrist.
This unique piece is made exclusively for the TimeForArt 2024 auction with proceeds going to help emerging artists. It's a collector's dream, a symbol of the harmonious blend of art and horology, and a timepiece that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on the world of haute horlogerie.