This past Sunday June 12, 2016, our friends from Armin Strom unveiled a very special limited edition of the Edge Double Barrel —their newest and hottest watch released just a few months ago during Baselworld 2016. The new Armin Strom Max Chilton Edge Double Barrel was designed along with British pro racing driver Max Chilton, a friend and brand ambassador of Armin Strom. The new Max Chilton Edition Edge Double Barrel was unveiled at the Texas Motor Speedway with Max Chilton himself sporting his very own piece. After a short stint in Formula One, racing for Force India in 2011 and Marussia between 2012 and 2014, Max Chilton is now racing for Chip Ganassi Racing Team in the IndyCar Series as of 2016.
With its striking movement design and larger case size measuring 46.8 mm x 13.2 mm, the new Armin Strom Max Chilton Edition Edge Double Barrel features a brushed and sand-blasted stainless steel case with a black PVD stainless steel bezel and case back. Bold, powerful and impressive are the words that come to mind with this new timepiece, that brings the Edge Double Barrel to a new level. The second picture, shows the new Max Chilton Edition next to the original Edge Double Barrel.
The Dial
Drawing on Max Chilton's racing car colors and his number at IndyCar, the designers at Armin Strom integrated these elements in a very clever way to maintain the Edge's essence intact. First, a 'number 8' —Max's racing number— was added to the small seconds subdial with power reserve indicator. This 'number 8' features a Union Jack flag in white and grey, honoring the driver's British origin. Additionally, all Arabic numerals on the dial, appear in the same hue of blue of Max Chilton's Chip Ganassi Racing Team turbocharged Chevrolet. Just as on the original Edge Double Barrel, the hands feature bright luminescent material for optimal readability at night.
The Case
The new Armin Strom Max Chilton Edition Edge Double Barrel maintains the very unusual geometric and angular components on both its case and movement as its predecessor. However, for the very first time on any Armin Strom watch in the collection, the middle case is made of sand blasted satin-brushed stainless steel. This new case, makes the sturdy crown guards that embrace the signed Armin Strom crown, look more prominent. The bezel and case back ring are both in black PVD stainless steel.
The Movement
The new Armin Strom Max Chilton Edition Edge Double Barrel is powered by the Armin Strom manual wound calibre ARM16 composed of 194 parts, 32 jewels and with double going barrel. The movement beats a frequency of 18,000 vph to provide a power reserve of 8 days —coincidentally the power reserve matches Max Chilton's number and the limitation on this watch. As it is the norm with Armin Strom, the movement is exceptionally finished and extremely well decorated with spider-shaped crown wheels on the dial side and the very unique cross-grinding decoration on bridges. Overall very industrial and cool looking. Lastly, for this limited edition, a special plate was added to the movement's main plate featuring Chilton's "Max" logo and the limitation information on the eight timepiece series.
The Strap & Buckle
The new Armin Strom Max Chilton Edition Edge Double Barrel is delivered with a non-hornback black alligator strap with white contrast stitching and with an additional black rubber strap. While the rubber strap features a pin buckle, the alligator strap is fitted with a double-folding deployant clasp in black PVD stainless steel.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the watch wears slightly smaller than its actual size and more like a 45 mm watch on a 7.25" wrist. The wrist presence is extremely rugged and sporty, definitely making justice to the racing nature of this limited edition. The new Armin Strom Max Chilton Edition Edge Double Barrel is definitely a must have but its 8-piece limitation might make it almost impossible to attain. The watch is water resistant to 50 meters.
Sticker Price $26,900 USD. For more info on Armin Strom click here.
