Independent Swiss watchmaker Armin Strom announces a new limited edition timepiece, designed in collaboration with Instagram collector Horomariobro.
Horomariobro is known for creating macro (1.0X magnification and greater) close-up images of wristwatches, specifically focusing on exquisite watch finishing and details — typically found at the high end of watchmaking.
Naturally, the Armin Strom x Horomariobro Tribute2 Copper Edition was created with macro-worthy details. Starting with the mainplate, the movement features an eye-catching, copper-colored (PVD copper coating) and grattage design. Grattage is a process developed by mechanical engineers to create perfectly flat surfaces. Instead of being engraved, hammered, or polished, the material is scraped by hand — resulting in an artistic pattern that appears to be painted on.
An off-center fumé gray dial that’s lighter in the center and darker at the edges — with 18K 5N rose gold indices and hour, minute, and second hands — is juxtaposed against the orange hue of the copper mainplate, creating a distinctive and harmonious appearance. Moreover, the dial is encircled by a hand-polished steel ring, which is hand beveled and further separates the dial from the mainplate.
A key visual element of the Tribute collection is a visible motor barrel on the dial side of the watch. The barrel has been skeletonized to enhance the visual effect. Each opening is hand beveled, demonstrating the brand’s horological finishing prowess. The motor barrel bridge is made of steel and is black-polished by hand for the first time. The click bridge features polished bevels, and the click is also visible, along with the winding wheels, which have been decorated with circular graining.
On the back is a three-quarter plate featuring a 30-degree machine-beveled edge that’s been hand polished, and is adorned with Geneva stripes and circular graining. Even the small, three-dimensional escapement wheel bridge is decorated with a hand polished oil sink. The other parts of the movement are also exquisitely finished by hand, whether they can be seen on the dial side of the watch or through the sapphire crystal case back.
The Armin Strom emblem is embossed on the edge of the movement along with Horomariobro’s emblem, which according to Armin Strom, “pays tribute to the inspiring contribution this close friend of the brand has made to the new edition.”
The Armin Strom caliber AMW21 is a hand-wound movement, developed and manufactured in-house by Armin Strom, and which boasts an impressive 100-hour power reserve. Its exceptional performance is thanks to the innovative motor barrel design, where the arbor rotates around the mainspring, enhancing efficiency and conserving space. The movement operates at a frequency of 3.5Hz and contains 21 jewels. It also features a balance wheel with variable inertia and a flat overcoil spring supported by a bridge that almost mirrors the motor barrel.
Delivered in Armin Strom’s conservatively sized 38 mm x 9 mm stainless steel case, with the crown mounted at 2 o’clock (to enhance comfort), and fitted with an Alcantara calfskin strap, the Armin Strom x Horomariobro Copper Edition will wear well as a dress watch or casually.
The Armin Strom x Horomariobro Copper Edition (Ref. ST24-TRI.HM.AC.M.A4.FC) retail price is approximately $28,250 and the watch is limited to 10 pieces.
Photos by Armin Strom.
