Armin Strom One Week Skeleton Titanium

The landscape of independent watchmaking often presents creations that push boundaries, marrying intricate mechanics with distinct design philosophies. Within this sphere, Armin Strom stands out, particularly for its dedication to revealing the inner workings of a timepiece. The brand's latest offering, the One Week Skeleton Titanium, exemplifies this commitment, presenting a fully skeletonized movement within a lightweight, modern titanium structure, designed for both aesthetic admiration and practical, extended wear. It represents a confluence of the brand's historical roots in skeletonization and its modern capabilities as a vertically integrated manufacture.

The story of Armin Strom begins not with a large corporation, but with the man himself. Mr. Armin Strom established his own watch shop in the Swiss town of Burgdorf back in 1967. Initially focusing on sales and restorations, he quickly discovered and honed an exceptional talent for the intricate art of hand-skeletonizing watch movements. This was a period when openly displaying a movement's architecture was far from the mainstream trend it is today. Mr. Strom became a pioneer, mastering the delicate process of removing material from plates and bridges not just to reveal, but to enhance the mechanical beauty beneath.



His skill didn't go unnoticed. Mr. Strom's reputation grew, built upon meticulous handwork and an artistic eye for transforming functional components into captivating visual displays. He wasn't merely cutting away metal; he was sculpting it, creating depth and dimensionality while carefully considering the overall composition. This dedication to his craft culminated in a unique achievement in 1990 when he earned a place in the Guinness World Records for creating the world's smallest hand-skeletonized watch, a testament to his precision and mastery over miniaturized mechanics.

Beyond his own creations, Mr. Strom was sought after by other watch brands, commissioned to apply his signature skeletonization techniques to their timepieces. The Armin Strom name became associated with this specialized skill. The brand formally presented its first timepieces under its own name at the Basel Watch Fair in 1984, marking a step towards establishing a distinct identity rooted in the founder's expertise. His philosophy centered on enhancing the three-dimensional perception of the movement, allowing viewers to appreciate the layers and interplay of components, often without resorting to a completely see-through effect, thereby maintaining a certain structural presence.

A significant transition occurred in 2006 when Mr. Armin Strom decided it was time to pass on his legacy. The mantle was taken up by Serge Michel, a watch collector and friend of the Strom family, and his childhood friend, Claude Greisler, a trained watchmaker. They shared a fascination with Mr. Strom's work dating back to their youth in Burgdorf. Recognizing the unique heritage they were inheriting, Michel and Greisler embarked on an ambitious plan: to evolve Armin Strom from a specialist workshop into a fully-fledged, vertically integrated watch manufacture, capable of designing, developing, and producing its own movements.

The years following the transition were marked by rapid development. Establishing a modern production facility in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, Michel and Greisler invested heavily in the machinery and expertise needed to create movement components in-house – from main plates and bridges to wheels, pinions, levers, and screws. This move towards vertical integration was crucial for creative control and technical independence. Their determination bore fruit quickly; in 2009, Armin Strom unveiled its first in-house calibre, the ARM09, showcasing an impressive 8-day power reserve and signaling the brand's new direction.



This foundation paved the way for the introduction of the 'One Week' collection in 2010. As the name suggests, this collection was built around movements boasting a seven-day power reserve, a significant technical achievement requiring substantial mainspring torque and careful energy management. This collection cemented the brand's identity in the manufacture era, combining in-house mechanical substance with the open-worked aesthetic that honored Mr. Strom's legacy. The generous power reserve offered a practical benefit, allowing the watch to run accurately for a full week on a single wind.

Armin Strom's journey didn't stop there. The manufacture continued to demonstrate its technical capabilities with subsequent developments, including the launch of a completely in-house designed and developed tourbillon movement, the ATC11, in 2012. Perhaps their most lauded technical achievement came in 2016 with the Mirrored Force Resonance watch. This groundbreaking timepiece featured two independent oscillators linked by a patented resonance clutch spring, enabling them to synchronize and enhance timekeeping stability and precision – a complex feat mastered by very few in the industry. These innovations underscored the dynamic vision Michel and Greisler brought to the brand.

Skeletonization, however, remains intrinsically linked to the Armin Strom name. The brand's approach, refined over decades, views skeletonization as more than just removing material. It's about orchestrating the visible mechanics into a coherent and captivating display. It aims to foster a connection between the wearer and the intricate machine on their wrist, laying bare the ingenuity of timekeeping. Every angle, every finish, every cutout is considered part of a larger mechanical sculpture. While transparency is key, the goal is to reveal the complexity and beauty without sacrificing the sense of structure and depth.

The new One Week Skeleton Titanium is a direct descendant of this philosophy and lineage. It takes the foundational concept of the 'One Week' collection – the robust 7-day power reserve – and presents it in its most mechanically transparent form to date. It builds upon the open-worked nature of the 2023 One Week model but pushes the skeletonization significantly further, removing even more material from the mainplate and bridges to offer a deeper, more intricate view into the heart of the movement.

Visually, the watch immediately conveys its mechanical focus. Looking at the dial side, there is no traditional solid dial face. Instead, the observer is presented with a multi-layered architectural landscape of gears, bridges, and springs. Dominating the upper half are the two large mainspring barrels, positioned side-by-side, their own structures partially skeletonized. These barrels are the powerhouses providing the extended energy reserve. Below them, elements of the gear train are visible, weaving through the supportive structure of the movement's bridges, finished in a contemporary monochromatic grey tone that matches the case and bracelet.



Further down, around the 7 o'clock position, sits the small seconds display. This subdial itself is heavily skeletonized, reduced to a minimalist track and supports. This openness serves a dual purpose: it maintains the airy aesthetic and crucially reveals the components beneath it. Through the skeletonized seconds dial, one can observe the rapid oscillation of the escapement wheel, providing a constant, subtle animation that brings the static architecture to life. This area also cleverly integrates the power reserve indication, making it part of the intricate mechanical ballet.

Driving this complex display is the Armin Strom Manufacture Calibre ARM21-S. This manual-winding movement is the result of the brand's in-house capabilities. It operates at a frequency of 3.5 Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour), features 35 jewels, and comprises 194 individual components. Its defining characteristic remains the impressive 168-hour, or full seven-day, power reserve. This endurance is achieved through the use of two mainspring barrels working in series, ensuring a more consistent delivery of energy to the regulating organ throughout the week.

A standout feature, visually highlighted by the extensive skeletonization, is the conical power reserve mechanism. This system, often found historically in marine chronometers and high-end pocket watches, uses a cone-shaped pulley connected to the mainspring barrel via a chain or cord (though the specific connection method may vary in modern interpretations). As the mainspring unwinds, the indicator travels along the cone, providing a visual representation of the remaining power. Its prominence on the dial side adds a touch of classical watchmaking complexity to the otherwise modern design, directly linking the watch to horological traditions while serving a practical function.

The choice of material for the case and bracelet is Grade 5 titanium. This specific alloy is renowned in watchmaking and aerospace for its advantageous properties. It is significantly lighter than stainless steel yet possesses exceptional strength and rigidity. Furthermore, it is highly resistant to corrosion and is hypoallergenic, making it comfortable for wearers with sensitive skin. This material selection directly contributes to the watch's character, providing a feeling of surprising lightness on the wrist, making the "One Week" duration comfortable in a literal sense.



The case itself adheres to modern proportions while maintaining presence. It measures 41mm in diameter, a versatile size suitable for many wrists. The height is kept relatively slim at 10.60mm, especially considering the complexity and depth of the movement architecture within. A compact lug-to-lug measurement of 44.35mm ensures that the watch wears comfortably and doesn't overhang excessively. The case features sharp, angular lines with a combination of brushed surfaces and polished chamfers, adding visual interest. Both the front and case back are fitted with sapphire crystals treated with anti-reflective coatings to maximize visibility of the intricate mechanics. A practical water resistance rating of 10 ATM (100 meters) adds a degree of robustness suitable for daily wear.

Complementing the titanium case is a fully integrated bracelet crafted from the same Grade 5 titanium. The bracelet links flow seamlessly from the case lugs, creating a unified and cohesive look. This integrated design reinforces the watch's modern, almost architectural aesthetic. The use of titanium throughout ensures consistency in color, finish, and lightweight feel. The bracelet secures to the wrist with a double-folding clasp, providing both comfort and security.

Despite the complexity of the skeletonized movement, legibility is maintained. A black ring around the periphery of the dial serves as the minute track, providing contrast for the hands. Applied hour indices, filled with Super-LumiNova, are positioned on this ring. The main hour and minute hands are rhodium-plated, featuring facets and polished surfaces for better light reflection. They too are treated with Super-LumiNova for clear time reading in low-light conditions. The meticulous hand-finishing applied to the skeletonized movement components – the polished bevels on the bridges, the graining on surfaces – is crucial. While intricate, these finishing touches reflect light and create definition, enhancing both the beauty and the perceived quality of the movement.

Turning the watch over reveals an equally captivating perspective through the sapphire case back. Here, the architecture of the ARM21-S calibre can be appreciated from a different angle. The symmetrical arrangement of the twin barrels is clearly visible, along with the layout of the gear train and the structure of the bridges supporting the mechanism. This rear view offers a comprehensive look at the movement's construction and the finishing applied throughout, providing what the brand describes as a "mesmerizing view of the entire mechanism." It completes the experience of mechanical transparency that defines the watch.

The One Week Skeleton Titanium successfully merges the worlds of high-end, artisanal watchmaking with elements often associated with contemporary sports watches. The in-house, hand-finished, heavily skeletonized movement speaks to traditional horological craft. Yet, the choice of lightweight and durable Grade 5 titanium, the robust 100-meter water resistance, and the sleek integrated bracelet give it a modern, resilient character. It's a piece that showcases mechanical depth and form, designed not just to be admired, but to be worn and experienced.



As with many high-craftsmanship pieces from independent watchmakers, the Armin Strom One Week Skeleton Titanium is not a mass-produced item. Its creation involves significant handwork, particularly in the skeletonization and finishing processes. Reflecting this, the watch is offered as a limited edition of only 100 pieces worldwide, ensuring a degree of exclusivity for its owners.

This exclusivity and the high level of craftsmanship and technical content are reflected in its positioning. The Armin Strom One Week Skeleton Titanium is priced at CHF 36,078. For this, the owner acquires a timepiece that is a powerful statement of the brand's identity: technically sophisticated with its week-long power reserve and unique conical indicator, visually dramatic through its extensive skeletonization, and exceptionally comfortable thanks to its thoughtful design and advanced titanium construction. It's a compelling showcase of Armin Strom's journey and its unique place in contemporary watchmaking.

Case: Titanium Grade 5; Diameter 41.00 mm; Height 10.60 mm; Lug-to-Lug 44.35 mm; Sapphire crystal front and case back with anti-reflective treatment; Water resistance 10 ATM (100 meters).

Movement: Armin Strom Manufacture Calibre ARM21 (Manual winding); 7-day (168-hour) power reserve; Frequency 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph); 35 jewels; 194 parts; Features dual serial barrels, conical power reserve mechanism, fully skeletonized.

Dial: Black peripheral minute ring; Skeletonized small-second dial; Applied indexes with Super-LumiNova® filling; Rhodium-plated, facetted, polished hands with Super-LumiNova® filling.

Strap: Integrated bracelet in Titanium Grade 5; Double-folding clasp.

Price: CHF 36’078.

Reference Number: TI25-OW.75.

Notes: Limited edition of 100 pieces; Fully skeletonized design showcasing movement architecture; Features distinctive conical power reserve indicator inspired by historical mechanisms; Lightweight Grade 5 titanium construction for enhanced comfort.