Independents

Armin Strom's Watches, the Beauty of Skeletons

Don Corson, December 2008

Part 1

Armin Strom has been skeletonizing and engraving watches for the last 40 years.  His pieces have found entry in collections around the world.  His custom of personal delivery of all his pieces has made him many friends all around the world.  Now having reached the age where others take their pensions, Mr. Strom has formed the Armin Strom AG to pass on his tradition to a next generation.  Formed 3 years ago Armin Strom AG now has 9 employees and 3 model lines.

The line Skeleton continues the tradition of skeletonized and hand engraved watches from Armin Strom.  The watches in the "Elegance" line are sober and elegant from the dial side, but a fireworks of hand engraving from the back.  The "Blue Chip" line are bigger watches appealing to modern tastes in watches, again partially skeletonized and fully hand engraved.

Mr. Serge Michel is the CEO of the company Armin Strom AG.  Mr. Michel showed me their watches and around their shop.  Unfortunately Mr. Strom himself was not present as I was there.  A meeting for the next time.

Mr. Michel with a tray of watches from the Skeleton series.

The cases are 39.2mm in dia. and 10.45 high.  Here in white gold 18k.

Yellow gold 18k set with a diamond set bezel.

A stainless steel prototype case.

The Skeleton Lady, 18k yellow gold set with 33 diamonds.  The movement is an old stock Alpina from the 1930's.  It enjoyed, of course, Armin Strom's personal attention.

Note the typical case and crown form.  Here on a 18k white gold model with brushed front and back bezels and lugs.

A gold skeleton wrist shot.  The size is right! And the distinctive crown winds very comfortably.

The Blue Chop automatic, 46.5mm dia. & 15.9mm high.  The caliber is a hand engraved, partially skeletonized ValGranges.

The Blue Chip chrono.

The Blue Chip power reserve.

Blue Chip manual wind based on the hard working 6498

The Blue Chip manual on a bracelet.

[To continue to part 2 click here ]