Chronoswiss ReSec Strike Two Review: A Regulator with a Lightning Bolt

The Chronoswiss ReSec Strike Two is not a watch for the faint of heart. It’s a regulator with a rebellious streak, a blue-dialed anomaly that refuses to follow the herd. In a market saturated with safe, sub-40mm steel sports watches, Chronoswiss has doubled down on personality. The ReSec Strike Two, reference CH-6723.3-BLSI, is a piece that demands a second look — and maybe a third. It’s the kind of watch that gets noticed at a dinner party, not because it’s loud, but because it’s different.

Chronoswiss has always been a bit of an outsider. Founded in 1983 by Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, the brand built its reputation on the regulator complication, a layout traditionally used in clockmaking where the minute hand is central and the hour and seconds are relegated to subdials. It was a bold move then, and it remains a bold move now. The ReSec line, introduced in the late 2010s, is a modern reinterpretation of that classic regulator, and the Strike Two edition adds a jolt of electricity — literally, with a lightning-inspired seconds hand.

In this review, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the ReSec Strike Two: its movement, its wearing experience, its place in the market, and whether it’s worth your hard-earned money. We’ll also compare it to similar watches and give you our honest take on its investment potential. Spoiler alert: this is a watch you buy with your heart, not your spreadsheet.

Brand History: Chronoswiss and the Regulator Revival

Chronoswiss was founded in Munich in 1983 by Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, a watchmaker who saw an opportunity in the quartz crisis. While others were cutting corners, Lang doubled down on mechanical watchmaking, specifically the regulator. At the time, the regulator was a niche complication found mostly in clocks and pocket watches. Lang’s genius was to shrink it down to wrist size and make it a signature. The brand’s early pieces, like the Regulator Classic, became cult favorites among collectors who appreciated the offbeat layout.

In 2012, Chronoswiss was acquired by Oliver Ebstein, a Swiss entrepreneur who moved the brand to Lucerne. Under his stewardship, Chronoswiss has embraced a more modern, architectural design language. The Flying Regulator, with its floating subdials and skeletonized dials, became a hit. The ReSec line, launched in 2018, continued that evolution. It’s a regulator for the Instagram age: bold, photogenic, and unapologetically different.

The ReSec Strike Two is a limited edition that sits at the intersection of Chronoswiss’s heritage and its contemporary ambitions. It’s not a vintage reissue; it’s a forward-looking piece that uses the regulator layout as a canvas for something new. And that’s exactly why it’s worth a closer look.

The ReSec Strike Two: Design and Dial

The first thing you notice about the ReSec Strike Two is the dial. It’s a deep, rich blue with a guilloché pattern that catches the light in a way that photos can’t fully capture. The regulator layout is front and center: a central minute hand, a small hour dial at 12 o’clock, and a small seconds dial at 6 o’clock. There’s also a date window at 3 o’clock, which is a practical addition for a daily wearer.

But the real star of the show is the seconds hand. It’s shaped like a lightning bolt, a playful nod to the “Strike Two” name. It’s a small detail, but it changes the entire character of the watch. Suddenly, the regulator isn’t just a historical curiosity; it’s a statement. The hour and minute hands are also distinctive, with a sword-like shape and a polished finish that contrasts nicely with the matte dial.

The case is stainless steel, with a mix of polished and brushed surfaces. The lugs are angular and faceted, giving the watch a architectural feel. The crown is oversized and easy to grip, which is a good thing because you’ll be winding it if you don’t wear it regularly. The sapphire crystal is slightly domed, adding a touch of vintage charm. There’s no lume on the dial, which is a trade-off for the clean aesthetic. If you need to read the time in the dark, you’re out of luck. But let’s be honest: this isn’t a tool watch. It’s a piece of wrist art.

The strap is leather, likely alligator or calf, with a pin buckle. It’s comfortable out of the box and matches the dressy-casual vibe of the watch. You could swap it for a NATO or a rubber strap, but that would be a crime against the design. This watch deserves leather.

Movement: Chronoswiss Cal. C.299

Inside the ReSec Strike Two beats the Chronoswiss Caliber C.299. It’s an automatic movement based on the ETA 2892-A2, a workhorse that’s been around for decades. Chronoswiss modifies it with a regulator module, which is what allows the off-center hour and seconds displays. The movement has a power reserve of 42 hours and operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour (4 Hz). It’s not an in-house movement, and it’s not COSC-certified, but that’s not the point. The point is that it’s reliable, easy to service, and finished to a high standard.

Chronoswiss decorates the movement with Geneva stripes, blued screws, and a custom rotor. You can see it through the sapphire caseback, which is a nice touch. Is it the most technically advanced movement on the market? No. But it’s a solid, proven caliber that will keep ticking for decades. And for a watch like this, that’s exactly what you want.

Wearing Experience: Comfort and Presence

The ReSec Strike Two wears surprisingly well for a watch with such a bold design. The case is stainless steel, and the lugs curve down slightly, which helps it sit flush on the wrist. The leather strap is supple and breaks in quickly. The watch has a substantial feel without being heavy. It’s the kind of watch you can wear all day without thinking about it.

The regulator layout takes some getting used to. If you’re used to a traditional three-hand watch, you’ll find yourself looking at the central hand for the time and then realizing it’s the minute, not the hour. But after a few days, it becomes second nature. The date window at 3 o’clock is easy to read, and the small seconds at 6 o’clock is a nice visual anchor. The lack of lume is noticeable in low light, but again, this isn’t a watch you wear to bed.

On the wrist, the ReSec Strike Two has a presence that’s hard to ignore. It’s not a flashy watch in the traditional sense — no diamonds, no gold — but the blue dial and the lightning seconds hand draw the eye. It’s a conversation starter. I wore it to a dinner party and got three comments in one evening. That’s more than I can say for most watches I review.

Accuracy: What to Expect

Chronoswiss regulates the C.299 to perform within a reasonable tolerance, but it’s not COSC-certified. In real-world use, you can expect accuracy in the range of -5 to +10 seconds per day. That’s perfectly acceptable for a mechanical watch, especially one with a regulator module. If you’re a stickler for precision, you might want to have it regulated by a watchmaker, but for most people, it’s more than accurate enough.

The 42-hour power reserve means you can take it off for a weekend and it’ll still be running on Monday morning. That’s a practical benefit for a daily wearer. If you have a desk job, you’ll probably never need to wind it manually, but the option is there.

Occasions: When to Wear It

The ReSec Strike Two is versatile enough for most occasions, but it leans more toward the dressy side. Here’s how I’d break it down:

Wrist Presence: 4/5

On a scale of 1 to 5, I’d give the ReSec Strike Two a 4 for wrist presence. It’s not as loud as a Hublot or as iconic as a Rolex Submariner, but it has a distinct personality that stands out. The blue dial and lightning seconds hand are unique, and the regulator layout is a conversation starter. It’s the kind of watch that people notice, even if they don’t know what it is. That’s the sweet spot for a luxury watch.

Reference Variants

The ReSec Strike Two is a specific reference, CH-6723.3-BLSI. It features a blue dial and a leather strap. Chronoswiss has released other ReSec models with different dial colors and finishes, but the Strike Two is a limited edition. If you’re looking for a variant, you might find other ReSec references with black or silver dials, but the Strike Two is the one with the lightning seconds hand. That’s the one you want.

Family References

The ReSec family includes several models, such as the ReSec Automatic and the ReSec Chronograph. The Flying Regulator is a sibling line that shares the regulator layout but with a more skeletonized design. The Regulator Classic is the more traditional option, with a cleaner dial and a more vintage feel. If you like the ReSec Strike Two, you might also appreciate the Open Gear ReSec, which adds a date and a more complex dial.

Other Notable Models by Chronoswiss

Chronoswiss is a small brand, but it has a rich catalog. Some of its other notable models include:

Similar Watches

If you’re considering the ReSec Strike Two, you might also want to look at these alternatives:

Homages

There aren’t many direct homages of the Chronoswiss ReSec Strike Two. The regulator layout is niche, and the lightning seconds hand is unique. If you’re looking for a budget-friendly regulator, you might find some generic Chinese watches on AliExpress, but they won’t have the same quality or character. My advice: save up for the real thing.

Investment Value

Let’s be clear: the Chronoswiss ReSec Strike Two is not an investment piece. It’s a niche watch from a small independent brand. That means it won’t appreciate like a Rolex or a Patek Philippe. The MSRP is not confirmed for this reference, but you can expect it to be in the range of other Chronoswiss ReSec models. On the pre-owned market, you might find it for a slight discount, but don’t expect to flip it for a profit.

The trend for Chronoswiss is stable. The brand has a dedicated following, and its limited editions can hold value, but they don’t skyrocket. My recommendation: buy it to wear, not to invest. If you love the design, you’ll get your money’s worth in enjoyment. If you’re looking for an asset, look elsewhere.

As for auction history, there’s no major auction history for this specific reference. Chronoswiss watches occasionally appear at auction, but they don’t command the same attention as the big names. That’s fine. It’s not that kind of watch.

Service and Maintenance

Chronoswiss recommends servicing your watch every 5 to 7 years, but the exact interval and cost are not confirmed for this reference. You should service it through Chronoswiss or an authorized watchmaker, as the regulator module may require special parts. The good news is that the ETA 2892-A2 base movement is common, so many watchmakers can work on it. However, the Chronoswiss-specific module might be proprietary, so it’s best to go authorized.

Pros and Cons

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Final Verdict

The Chronoswiss ReSec Strike Two is a watch for the collector who has everything and wants something different. It’s not a safe choice, and it’s not an investment. But it’s a watch with soul. The regulator layout is a nod to horological history, while the lightning seconds hand and blue dial bring it firmly into the 21st century. It’s comfortable, well-made, and guaranteed to start conversations. If you’re tired of seeing the same Submariners and Speedmasters at every watch meetup, the ReSec Strike Two is a breath of fresh air. Just don’t expect it to pay for your kids’ college tuition.