Our Take

From the Orbit to the Mirror Force Resonance, Biel-based Armin Strom has created some of the industry’s most technically interesting and innovative timepieces. It’s not only the highest levels of complicated watchmaking where Armin Strom stands out though. To kickstart Dubai Watch Week 2023, the brand presents its latest edition of the Tribute 1 Fumé in Slate.

The Tribute 1 Fumé from Armin Strom subscribes to the classical dress watch size at 38mm and simplicity of time-only, but with the brand’s distinct, modern design sensibilities. Pulling from their Swiss-German origins, the balance between the understated blue dial and the exposed barrel and barrel bridge lead this timepiece toward a more industrially-designed aesthetic. This edition takes on a more dramatic look with fumé dials in four striking hues (ocean, slate, sky, and burgundy) with guilloché dial plates by celebrated independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen’s dial atelier. The combination of the off-center dial, matte and glossy textures, guillochage alongside the shine of hand-finished barrel and bridge, this all creates a watch that feels more exciting than a traditional, dressy three-hander.

The fumé dial gives a new depth to the already three-dimensional Tribute 1. Its vignette effect, which has a distinctly 1970’s vibe, creates a striking gradient of bright highlights at the center of the dial that give way to shadowy contrast towards the outer edge. With a sunray-brushed finish on the metallic base, the dial is animated by light, which can bring out the different tonalities and shades of the four dials’ colors.

Turning the timepiece over, the Tribute 1 features caliber AMW21 – a manual-wind, 100 hour power reserve movement. Crafted out of 162 components, the movement is well finished with striping on the mainplate, beveling, polished screws and countersinks. Limited to 100 pieces in stainless steel, this is a timepiece that strikes a rare balance between classical dimensions and modern aesthetics.

The Tribute 1 Fumé is limited to 10 pieces each in ocean, slate, sky and burgundy dial colors.

The Details

Indications: Hours, minutes, seconds

Movement: Armin Strom manufacture Caliber AMW21 Hand-wound movement

Power reserve: 100 hours

Dimensions: 33.5 mm x 4.2 mm

Frequency: 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph)

Finishing: Hand-finishing to the highest quality level

Jewels: 21

Number of components: 135

Case: Stainless steel

Sapphire crystal case back with anti-reflective treatment

Diameter: 38 mm

Height: 9.38 mm

Width lugs/buckle: 18/16 mm

Water resistance: 5 ATM

Dial: Offset burgundy, slate, sky or ocean

Hands: Rhodium plated

Strap: Grey Alcantara calf leather strap and folding clasp in stainless steel

Limited Edition: 10 pieces each