Armin Strom is a brand very well known for mastering the art of skeletonizing and the One Week Skeleton watch we are reviewing here, is one of the best examples from this relatively young manufacture founded in 1967 by Armin Strom in the picturesque town of Burgdorf located northwest of Bern the capital of Switzerland. Armin Strom's first masterpiece was a gold pocket watch, with a hand-engraved dial in polished blue lapis lazuli. Armin's mature manual dexterity and incredible attention to detail soon made the him aware of where to specialize in his valuable items: the art of skeletonizing.
In 2009, Armin Strom presented their first in-house movement the manual wound calibre ARM09, which happens to be the same base calibre powering the exceptional One Week Skeleton. The One Week Skeleton ref. RG14-WS.5N is fitted with a satin brushed 18K rose gold case measuring 43.4 mm in diameter and 13.00 mm in thickness. Fitted with a highly polished bezel and an anti-reflective treated sapphire crystal, the view of the skeletonized dial is uncompromised.
The skeletonized dial with off-centered time indication features a sapphire crystal ring with minute chapter ring and luminescent appliques as well as 18K rose gold matching hands also with luminescent material and subsidiary seconds register at 9 o'clock with built-in power reserve indicator. The skeletonization of the dial is superb and a real treat for the eyes.
Fitted with a nice and robust crown that is very easy to handle, the One Week Skeleton is well-balanced in design and craftsmanship. Bringing to life its rich horological values through skeletonization and excellent case finishing, the One Week Skeleton is an exceptional timepiece.
Fitted with a display case back, the manual wound in-house calibre ARM09-S is fully visible. This exceptional manual calibre is composed of 146 parts, 34 jewels and fully skeletonized main plate, gear-train bridges and barrel-bridges. Its classical hand-engraving decoration is one of the best examples from this manufacture. The calibre provides a power reserve of a full week —main reason why this timepiece is named One Week— while beating at a frequency of 18,000 vph.
The Armin Strom One Week Skeleton is delivered with a genuine black or brown alligator hornback strap with 18K rose gold ardillon buckle as well as an additional black or brown rubber strap. A double-fold clasp in 18K rose gold is available as an option. The hornback strap resembles the finish and look of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore straps and is also as comfortable.
On the wrist, the watch wears slightly bigger than its actual size due to its robust construction and thickness. This exclusive timepiece is only available in a limited edition of 50 pieces and is for sure one of those watches, that only those that are in the know when it comes to horology will be able to spot on your wrist. If you like to fly under the radar when it comes to your watches and you love exclusive timepieces available in small quantities, then this is a great timepiece for you to own. Also, don't forget that the small lip on the bezel at 6 o'clock can be personalized with your initials in case you fancy that.
Sticker Price $49,900 USD. For more info on Armin Strom click here.
