What happens when high end luxury timepieces industry is mixed up with exquisite manufacture and modernism? The answer is simple – a miniature Big Bang, to shake the very foundations of timekeeping. The specialists behind the Swiss brand Armin Strom, based in Biel, have recently done it, in an utterly resonant way, by presenting an exclusive “coffret tourbillon” collection of four stunning wristwatches to mark their intro into tourbillon caliber manufacture.
The main theme of Strom’s newest collection is the mastery of the four main elements – earth, fire, water and air. Each of the four types of timepieces is boasting with a specially decorated bridge, on the front of the movement, and uniquely designed mainplate, at the back of the caliber.
These are both extremely visible, being showcased under the clear sapphire crystal caseback and the open dial. The 9 o’clock position has been chosen to host the tourbillon, in the brand new ATC11 caliber, while the watch’s levers have been covered in 18 carat gold. In addition, the pieces feature a special assembly which places the balance wheel and seconds pinion on the same axis.
Taking them all separately, they really prove their exquisiteness – the Air features a stunning titanium case, while the Water boasts with a white gold case, both 43.3 mm thick, featuring the manually wound Armin Strom caliber ATC11 with tourbillon, double spring barrels, small seconds display, off-centered time indicators, horn-back alligator strap with metal double fold clasp and power reserve for up to 10 days.
The Water is a bit more blingy, though, as its bridges and plates come encrusted with 44 diamonds totally 0.1893 carats, alongside 159 dark blue and 76 light blue sapphires totaling 0.8312 carats. The Air on the other hand boasts with the brand’s signature hand-skeletonized plates and bridges introduced back in 2009.
As for the other two, the Fire sports a Rose Gold Case, while the Earth superbly stands out through a Black PVD Steel Case. Technically, they boast the same characteristics as the Water and Air, but, in terms of appearance, they are their exact opposites. More masculine and raw, these two boast with entirely hand engraved plates and bridges. For example, the Earth exquisitely features ceramic inlays on its plate and bridges.
These timepieces are definitely worth some fine presentations, therefore Armin Strom have done their best already. They were taken on a grand tour, each of them due to be unveiled in style. The Earth was revealed in Interlaken, at the foothills of the Bernese Alps, at a famous distillery. The Air will be presented among Singapore’s skyscrapers, the Water will debut on the shores of the Pacific Ocean, while the Fire will live up to its name, in Dubai’s sandy, sunny deserts.
In the end, we’ve found out that the Armin Strom Coffret Tourbillon Collection will be manufactured as a limited edition, four units of each of the four pieces, and will be available for purchase sometime during the next year.
[Perpetuelle]
