Swill luxury watch manufacturer Armin Strom revisits one of its seminal models, the One Week. Debuting as the One Week First Edition, this limited release of only 25 examples not only pays homage to Armin Strom’s heritage but also cements the brand’s status as a distinguished independent manufacture, consistently producing mechanical marvels that captivate horology connoisseurs worldwide.
In 2010, Armin Strom introduced its inaugural timepiece, the One Week, marking a pivotal moment in the brand’s history. This watch featured an in-house-developed and manufactured movement with an impressive seven-day power reserve and a design that prioritized symmetrical harmony. The One Week garnered attention from discerning collectors and set the stage for numerous groundbreaking developments by Armin Strom. Now, the watchmaker returns to its roots, breathing new life into its very first caliber, promising to make the One Week a mainstay in the brand’s portfolio. True to their commitment to transparent horology, Armin Strom once again places kinetic mechanical elements front and center, but this time, they have taken it a step further.
The manual-winding movement in the One Week First Edition is nothing short of a sculptural masterpiece, seamlessly blending form, function, aesthetics, and ergonomics. This design approach represents a dynamic and radical interpretation of traditional horology.
The One Week First Edition’s new manual-winding ARM21 calibre boasts two mainspring barrels working in series to ensure a consistent flow of energy to the gear train. These barrels, held by two finger-style bridges, are symmetrically arranged on the open dial’s right side. The manual winding process becomes a mesmerizing choreography, with two ratchet wheels winding the barrels in opposite directions, all visible from the dial side.
Adding to the architectural depth of the movement, the One Week First Edition features a power reserve indicator inspired by pocket watches. This indicator uses a mirror-polished cone driven by a conical gear on the opposite side of the dial, ensuring both precision and visual appeal.
Recognizing the One Week as an all-occasion watch capable of dynamic activities, Armin Strom has increased the oscillating frequency of the regulating organ from 2.5 Hz to 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph). This higher frequency enhances chronometric performance and required a comprehensive recalibration of the entire gear train.
In a surprising departure from their usual design approach, Armin Strom has placed the faceted hour and minute hands, filled with Super-LumiNova, in the center of the open dial. This change enhances both visual balance and legibility.
Compared to its predecessor, which featured a partially open dial, the new One Week boasts a more three-dimensional design. It discards the traditional dial in favor of a contemporary architectural layout, positioning movement elements to be explored from multiple angles. The bridge holding the hands rises above the mainplate, ensuring optimal legibility. A chapter ring with Super-LumiNova-filled baton indices surrounds the movement, and the small seconds subdial at 9 o’clock bears the brand’s “AS” logo.
As with all Armin Strom creations, the One Week First Edition showcases impeccable hand-finishing. Straight and circular grained surfaces, chamfered and polished bevels, Geneva-striped plates, and polished screws and sinks are meticulously applied by expert hands. This watch stands out with its cool light blue PVD-colored mainplate and bridges.
The One Week First Edition’s micromechanical marvel resides within a contemporary stainless steel case measuring 41 mm in width and only 10.6 mm in height, surprisingly compact for a caliber of such complexity. Paired with an integrated steel bracelet featuring “H”-shaped satin-brushed and polished links, this watch emphasizes both aesthetics and ergonomics, making it a perfect everyday companion filled with mechanical intrigue.
The One Week First Edition is limited to just 25 pieces, each coming with an extended 10-year warranty, a departure from Armin Strom’s usual 5-year warranty. The light blue PVD-colored mainplate and bridges set this edition apart from future releases. With a price tag of USD 34,000, the One Week First Edition offers a unique opportunity to own a piece of horological history and innovation.
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