Armin Strom reimagined one of its key models from the past, the One Week, in a new form. The price of the One Week First Edition ST23-OW.FE is €37,000
Armin Strom completely reimagined one of its most pivotal models from the previous decade, the One Week, in an entirely new form.
Introduced at Baselworld 2010, the One Week Collection was the first to be equipped with an in-house developed and produced calibre (you can read about the One Week in its skeletonised version here).
With a seven-day power reserve and a focus on symmetrical harmony, the One Week paved the way for numerous pioneering advancements by Armin Strom, elevating the brand to a select group of independent watchmakers who take pride in creating, advancing, and crafting some of the most extraordinary mechanical timepieces in-house.
Debuting as the One Week First Edition, limited to 25 examples, the new model revisits the original calibre with a fresh design and construction that is certain to establish the One Week as a foundational model within the brand's lineup.
Serge Michel, founder of Armin Strom, explains: “When we decided to revisit the One Week, we knew from the beginning that we wanted it to be an all-occasions watch: sporty yet sophisticated, intricate yet legible, and filled with immersive little details that even the most demanding collector can appreciate. It was also important for us that the new One Week be instantly recognizable as an Armin Strom by integrating and further refining many of the design elements that have become characteristic of our more recent creations.”
In line with the brand's commitment to transparent horology, the One Week First Edition showcases kinetic mechanical components on the dial side, advancing this core Armin Strom trait to new heights.
“The One Week from 2010 holds a special place for the Armin Strom manufacture as it was the first movement we completely developed and built in-house. We went far beyond simply giving it a facelift, as it is in fact an entirely redesigned and reengineered movement. From the two barrels working in series for better isochronism to the 3D power reserve display and the increased beat rate, the new One Week is definitely a milestone achievement for our team in Biel,” remarked Claude Greisler, master watchmaker and co-founder of the revitalised Armin Strom.
True to its name and just like its predecessor, the One Week delivers an impressive seven-day power reserve. The new manual-winding ARM21 calibre features two mainspring barrels, which work in series to provide consistent levels of energy to the gear train. Held by two finger-style bridges, the barrels are symmetrically arranged on the right portion of the completely open dial.
The process of manual winding creates a captivating spectacle as the coordinated movement of two ratchet wheels simultaneously winds up the two barrels in opposing directions.
One of the most distinctive features of the new One Week is its power reserve indicator. Keeping with the architectural depth of the movement, the power reserve is indicated by a cone system, inspired by pocket watches. This consists of a mirror-polished cone, which is driven by a conical gear on the opposite side of the dial.
Another major evolution in the new One Week is the oscillating frequency of the regulating organ. In fact, the beat rate has been increased from 2.5 Hz to 3.5 Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour). This higher frequency, which offers a more stable chronometric performance, meant that the entire gear train had to be recalculated and reconfigured.
The faceted hour and minute hands are perfectly positioned in the centre of the open dial, which is pretty uncommon for Armin watches, usually featuring offset hour and minute hands, either on a subsidiary dial as small hands or slightly off from the centre as large hands.
The bridge holding the hands has been designed with a geometric form to rise above the mainplate. Keeping legibility optimal, the movement is surrounded by a chapter ring set with baton indices generoulsly filled with Super-LumiNova. The small seconds at 9 o’clock are displayed on a small black dial, emblazoned with the brand’s “AS” logo.
The three-dimensional architecture of the movement is an invitation to explore the various elements from many angles.
The transparent sapphire crystal case back showcases the outstanding level of the hand-made finishes, including straight and circular grained surfaces, chamfered and polished bevels, Geneva-striped plates, and polished screws and sinks.
The One Week First Edition is characterised by the cool light blue of the PVD-coloured mainplate and bridges.
Crafted from stainless steel, the case has a contemporary design and measures 41 mm in diameter with a thickness of just 10.6 mm, which is surprising considering the particular architecture of the movement. Water resistance is guaranteed up to a pressure of 10 ATM (approximately 100 metres / 330 feet).
The integrated stainless steel bracelet features H-shaped links and alternates satin-brushed and polished surfaces.
The new One Week First Edition ref. ST23-OW.FE by Armin Strom is limited to 25 pieces and will be delivered with an extended warranty period of 10 years, instead of Armin Strom’s usual 5-year warranty. The price is CHF 32,000 / Euro 37,000 / US$ 34,000. arminstrom.com
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