Armin Strom’s Mirrored Force Resonance Red combines vivid hand-guilloché design with the brand’s patented resonance technology in a highly limited 15-piece edition.
Only a few short weeks after Armin Strom updated their Orbit collection, the brand is back once again, this time with a new rendition of one of its more standout pieces: the Mirrored Force Resonance. This collection stands as one of Armin Strom’s most important modern creations, as it puts a highly technical mechanism right at the front of the watch.
With the brand having built its identity around openworked architecture and exposed mechanics, the Mirrored Force Resonance really drives this philosophy home, showcasing two independent balance wheels as they oscillate in opposite directions before finally being synchronised through Armin Strom’s Resonance Clutch.
The latest edition to this collection is the Mirrored Force Resonance Red, which takes the existing technical platform and gives it a vivid dose of red. Limited to just 15 pieces worldwide, this latest edition with its red hand-guilloché dial, twin regulating systems and extensive hand-finishing, feels like a bold version of what Armin Strom calls “Science of Movement”.
A Vivid Red Stage For Resonance
The Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Red comes housed in a 43mm stainless steel case, which has a strong but contemporary presence on the wrist. It measures 11.55mm in thickness and has a lug-to-lug distance of 49.60mm, which isn’t small by modern standards, but the sizing is certainly understandable when you consider what it houses inside! The use of stainless steel for the case material is also a smart choice, as using precious metal would have taken the attention away from the dial and resonance mechanism.
The sandwich-style construction of the case features a distinct two-tier finish. Firstly, we get the vertical brushed finish, which starts on the case middle and then extends to the sides of the lugs. Sitting above this is a mirror-like polished finish, which plays with light beautifully and adds to the luxury allure of the watch. Not only does this contrast help break up the 43mm stainless steel case visually, but it also reflects Armin Strom’s broader approach to watchmaking, where technical watchmaking and finishing are given equal importance.
The dial is certainly the main focal point of this release, with a vivid red off-centre guilloché display that brings far more attention to the Mirrored Force Resonance platform. But before we get to that, I want to delve into the beauty that is Armin Strom’s Resonance system.
On the left-hand side of the dial is the open mechanical display, which reveals the twin balance wheels and twin seconds displays, turning the watch into both a time display and a live demonstration of resonance. For those who may not know, there are two seconds displays because Armin Strom’s ARF21 Calibre is built around two complete independent movements within the single calibre. Each ‘movement’ comes with its own barrel, gear train, escapement, and regulating organ. Using the 2 o’clock pusher on the case, both seconds hands can be reset to zero simultaneously, which makes it easier to observe whether the two independent movements are working in synchronicity.
The Mirrored Force Resonance is offered in quite a few variations already, ranging from different dial colours to case materials, and even a unique “ruby” edition which features a ruby stone dial and sub-counters. However, I feel that none of the previous editions feature a bold colour like this Mirror Force Resonance Red. The vivid red guilloché dial immediately draws the eye. At the same time, the radiating line pattern adds another layer of depth, catching the light beautifully and giving the watch a more dynamic presence on the wrist.
Two Independent Movements In Harmonic Motion
Inside this Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance sits the manufacture Calibre ARF21, a manually wound movement that is designed and developed entirely in-house. The movement’s key innovation is Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch, which connects the two independent regulating systems. Through this clutch, the vibrations of the two balance wheels are continuously exchanged, allowing them to enter and maintain harmonic resonance.
Performance-wise, the Calibre ARF21 operates at 3.5Hz (25,200 VpH), while giving out a modest 48-hour power reserve. Finishing is also a major part of the movement’s appeal, with hand-polished bevels, frosted surfaces, perlage, circular graining and black-polished screws.
Initial Thoughts
I have always been a fan of Armin Strom’s timepieces, as the brand’s entire philosophy centres around bringing watchmaking to the front and centre. The Mirrored Force Resonance collection embodies that beautifully, and in a highly intricate way, by placing its twin regulating systems directly on the dial side. Rather than hiding the mechanics away, Armin Strom allows you to see the two independent balance wheels oscillating in opposite directions, which is then reflected in the twin seconds displays. This is highly technical watchmaking presented in a visually engaging way!
With this new Mirrored Force Resonance Red, this already fascinating mechanical architecture is given a much stronger personality. The off-centre guilloché dial immediately catches attention; however, now with a vivid red colour, it stands out so much more. This takes one of Armin Strom’s most technically bold creations and gives it a new pulse of colour, all the while still keeping attention on the resonance mechanism that makes the collection so special.
Reference & Specifications
| Feature | Specification |
|---|---|
| Reference | ST25-RF.10 |
| Dimensions | 43mm case diameter x 49.60mm lug-to-lug × 11.55mm thickness |
| Case | Stainless steel with vertical brushed and mirror polishing |
| Dial | Openworked dial showcasing two seconds subdial and balance wheels. Off-centre dial in red with guilloché pattern |
| Crystal | Sapphire with anti-reflective coating |
| Caseback | Open, sapphire |
| Movement | Manual-wound Calibre ARF21 with resonance mechanism. |
| Power Reserve | 48h |
| Beat Rate | 3.5Hz / 25,200VpH |
| Water Resistance | 30m / 3bar |
| Strap/Bracelet | Dark grey Alcantara strap with white stitching and stainless steel pin buckle. |