Armin Strom introduces the Mirrored Force Resonance Zeitgeist 1665 3N, a limited edition that combines the manufacture’s resonance mechanism with a more classical colour scheme.
Its mainplate and bridges are finished in 3N yellow gold-coloured PVD, contrasting with polished black lacquer dial elements.
Heat-blued stainless steel hands add another traditional watchmaking detail, while a 43 mm stainless steel case and dark grey Alcantara strap complete the design. The edition is limited to 25 pieces worldwide.
The Zeitgeist concept explores how a resonance wristwatch might have looked centuries ago, had watchmakers possessed today’s mechanical knowledge.
Its combination of yellow gold tones, traditional hand-finishing and exposed mechanics brings this idea to life without changing the technical principles at the heart of the watch.
The reference to 1665 recalls Dutch scientist Christiaan Huygens’s observation that two pendulum clocks placed close to one another could synchronise their oscillations.
Known as mechanical resonance, the phenomenon involves the exchange of energy between oscillating systems through a shared connection.
It subsequently attracted the interest of historical watchmakers, including Abraham-Louis Breguet and Antide Janvier, and remains a subject of exploration in contemporary horology (read more about this subject in our feature article "In pursuit of precision: mechanical resonance and watches").
Armin Strom introduced its Mirrored Force Resonance wristwatch in 2016, using two balance wheels connected by a patented resonance clutch spring. The system became a defining feature of the collection and was explored further in the unique Zeitgeist presented in 2021 to mark five years of the manufacture’s resonance technology.
That watch placed particular emphasis on the exposed clutch spring and the relationship between the two oscillators, followed by the Zeitgeist 1665 in stainless steel introduced in 2025.
The new 1665 3N continues this development with a different treatment of the movement’s colour and finishing.
The hand-wound manufacture calibre ARF21_ZG measures 37.2 mm in diameter and 6.7 mm in thickness.
Comprising 260 components and 39 jewels, it operates at 25,200 vibrations per hour (3.5 Hz) and delivers an 80-hour power reserve from two independent barrels.
Its two regulating systems are connected by Armin Strom’s resonance clutch, which transfers vibrations between them to encourage synchronisation. The manufacture states that this arrangement is designed to improve chronometric stability in real-world conditions.
The calibre also features a twin-seconds flyback mechanism that allows both seconds hands to be reset simultaneously. The display reinforces the symmetry of the two regulating organs, which remain visible within the movement’s open architecture.
The mainplate and bridges are coloured in 3N yellow gold and given a matt finish, providing a backdrop for hand-bevelled and polished edges, black-polished screws, perlage and circular graining. The skeletonised mainplate exposes the resonance mechanism, giving it a visually suspended appearance within the movement.
Armin Strom applies hand-finishing even to components that are rarely visible. The manufacture also assembles each watch twice: first to establish its mechanical operation, and then to verify that it performs as intended. This approach places traditional craftsmanship alongside the technical complexity of the resonance system.
The off-centre black vernis laqué poli dial displays the hours and minutes, accompanied by twin seconds indications.
The heat-blued stainless steel hands are manufactured and hand-finished by Armin Strom.
A sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment protects the dial, while a matching sapphire crystal in the case back reveals the movement.
The stainless steel case measures 43 mm in diameter, 11.55 mm in height and 49.6 mm from lug to lug. Water resistance is rated to 30 metres / 100 feet.
The watch is fitted with a dark grey Alcantara strap with grey stitching and a stainless steel pin buckle.
The Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Zeitgeist 1665 3N, reference ST26-ZG.90, is limited to 25 pieces worldwide. Each case back is individually engraved “1 out of 25”. The price is CHF 82,000. arminstrom.com
COMMENTS