Armin Strom releases a new dress watch which they call the Tribute 1 in rose gold. This is step to a more refined, genteel watch than we are used to from the independent.
Press Release details with commentary in italics.
New: Armin Strom Tribute 1 in rose gold
The retail price for the Armin Strom Tribute 1 in rose gold is SGD 37,780 inclusive of GST. Limited edition of 100 pieces.
Commentary
The Tribute 1 is not a new watch from Armin Strom, but one which was released in stainless steel in 2021. This marked the entry of the independent watchmaker to a more genteel clientele, where the case is smaller (38mm), and more slender. Today’s novelty is the same watch but in rose gold, and limited to 100 pieces.
The Tribute 1’s case is 38mm in diameter, with a height of 9mm. The case cuts a sleek and slender profile with the crown at 2 o’clock.
The dial is the distinctive character of the watch, with a dial plate, positioned adjacent to the off-center dial. The barrel and its pierced cock is seen from the dial side, and features fine hand polished edges.
It is quite interesting to see the differential finish techniques producing a rather more raw look of the movement under the dial than the very accomplished look as seen through the case back.
The peculiarity of the rose gold edition, other than the case is the dial, which is now in gold azurage set against the dial plate of black gold grenege, producing a more startling contrast than the sober monotone of the steel version. The dial plate is attached by 3 screws and provides a nice texture contrast to the dial proper.
In terms of pricing, the rose gold version comes in at a rather modest SGD 38k in comparison to the SGD 21,730 for the steel edition. This premium for the gold case and gold barrel bridge is perhaps par for the course. We do note also that the pricing is quite international as it is very close to the retail prices of the watch in other territories. Note also the Singapore, Swiss, European, UK pricing includes appropriate taxes, and the US prices do not.
Release Details
Armin Strom continues to redefine the Modern Dress Watch
When Armin Strom launched its Tribute 1 watch in stainless steel in 2021, the world of haute horlogerie took notice. With its 38mm case and slender profile, it embraced the time-honoured qualities of a modern dress watch while it redefined the genre with its grenage-finished off- centre dial and exposed motor barrel and bridge. Building on this market success of the Tribute 1, Armin Strom has responded to collector demand for a precious metal case by introducing this 100-piece limited edition of the Tribute 1 in rose gold.
An unforgettable face
The off-centre dial is presented in a riveting black gold colour with an azurage textured effect. Its meticulously hand-bevelled barrel bridge has been upgraded through the use of 18K 5N rose gold to match the beautiful hues of the new rose gold case; as do the even- numbered applied hour markers and the hour, minute and seconds hands. Like the movement, all of these elements were designed, manufactured and hand-finished in-house at Armin Strom. In pleasing contrast to the dial is the adjacent dial plate; whose grenage finish subtly changes in hue different lighting conditions to display a captivating range of anthracite shades.
This already remarkable face also features a painstakingly hand-polished skeletonized open- worked motor barrel on which the words “100 HOURS OF POWER RESERVE” are engraved. The Tribute 1 Rose Gold’s crown is positioned at 2 o’clock, a distinction that enhances wearer comfort.
A caseback as worthy of attention as the dial
The hand-wound calibre AMW 21 is visible through the sapphire crystal caseback to highlight the beautiful hand finishing of the movement. Also on display is the three-quarter bridge adorned with Côtes de Genève decoration that is hand-polished at 60°. The hand decoration includes a circular grained pattern on the main plate; while the balance bridge features side graining, anglage, sand blasting and straight graining. The escapement and the escape bridge add a three-dimensional allure with hand-bevelled edges that contribute to the Tribute 1 Rose Gold’s overall sense of luxury.
Like all of Armin Strom’s movements, the Calibre AMW 21 was developed and manufactured in-house. In keeping with our commitment to horological distinction, the innovative motor barrel developed for the ‘Tribute 1’ is distinguished by an arbor that turns around the mainspring within the barrel itself, making it far more efficient while also conserving space. It delivers a remarkable 100-hour power reserve for a watch of this size and height. And as is the case with each of the brand’s calibres, it is assembled twice. After its initial assembly, Armin Strom’s watchmakers disassemble the movement and put it together again, to ensure the quality of every component and the flawless performance of the watch.
The Tribute 1 Rose Gold –Advancing tradition with an avant-garde aesthetic sensibility: Hand wound, hand-finished, hand-crafted and hand-decorated.
With its new Tribute 1 Rose Gold, Armin Strom has extended the legacy of the classic watch with the modern Swiss-German design ethos that has already won the hearts of aficionados around the world. This hand-wound dress watch features extensive hand finishing, hand craftsmanship and hand decoration at an attractive price point of CHF23,900. The legend “1 of 100” engraved on the caseback is a confirmation of its edition size.
About the System 78 Collection
Armin Strom’s “Tribute 1” is the latest addition to the “System 78” collection, which offers fine watchmaking, impeccable hand-finishing and a number of innovative horological ‘firsts’ while simultaneously maintaining an accessible price point. The collection embodies the watchmaking sensibilities of Claude Greisler and Serge Michel, co-founders of the revitalized Manufacture Armin Strom, who were both born in 1978.
Technical specification: Tribute 1 Rose Gold
Reference RG21-TRI.70
Indications: Hours, minutes, seconds
Movement: Armin Strom manufacture Caliber AMW21
Hand-wound movement
Regulating system: Flat hairspring with a variable inertia balance wheel Barrel bridge coated in 18K 5N rose gold
Power reserve: 100 hours
Dimensions: 33.5 mm x 4.2mm
Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)
Finishing: Hand-finishing to the highest quality level
Jewels: 21
Number of components: 135
Case: 18-carat rose gold
Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment Diameter: 38 mm
Height: 9,38 mm
Between lugs (lug to lug): 44,35 mm
Water resistance: 5 ATM
Dial: Offset black gold azurage, all even hour markers 18K 5N rose gold coated, Dial plate: Black gold grenage
Hands: Steel 18K 5N rose gold coated, manufactured by Armin Strom, decorated by hand
Strap: Black alligator leather strap and double folding clasp in stainless steel 18K 5N rose gold coated
Price: CHF 23.900 / EUR 26.500 / GBP 25.000 / USD 23.900
Limited Edition: 100 pieces
