With a commitment to the highest standards in watchmaking, Armin Strom excels in the craft of producing open-work watches.
With a commitment to the highest standards in watchmaking, Armin Strom excels in the craft of producing open-work watches. This distinctive approach is not only integral to our brand’s identity but also serves a practical purpose. This meticulous attention to detail ensures a flawlessly uniform surface, facilitating the seamless integration of bridges onto the main plate. But the main reason we do it by hand is to give each piece our human touch and showcase the value of our craftmanship.
Every decorative technique in watchmaking has deep historical roots, predominantly traced back to pocket watches, each method evolving to address specific challenges. These embellishments extend beyond aesthetic allure; they were born out of practical necessity, especially during an era when timepieces lacked waterproof capabilities, with concerns about humidity and dust.
Humidity: The meticulously polished angles surrounding the bridges played a pivotal role in countering moisture. Acting as protective barriers, these polished surfaces effectively captured humidity, preventing its infiltration into the movement. This ingenious solution ensured the internal mechanisms remained dry and operational.
Visibility: The guilloché patterns invented by Abraham-Louis Breguet on the dial were strategic for enhancing legibility. This specific design diffused light, minimizing glare and facilitating the reading of the time, even in bright conditions.
Dust: Finishing techniques like perlage (circular graining) and Geneva stripes transcended simple decoration; they had a practical purpose in dust management. These textured finishes served to trap dust particles, safeguarding the movement from their intrusion, and preserving its performance. This thoughtful consideration was paramount in prolonging the longevity and precision of the watch’s mechanisms.
These historical embellishments underscore the fusion of artistry and engineering in watchmaking. They exemplify the relationship between aesthetics and functionality, demonstrating how these decorative elements were ingeniously interwoven to address practical challenges.
Following the initial polishing of the angles with grained paper made by hand, we elevate our finishing to the pinnacle of craftsmanship, a level attainable only through meticulous handwork. This intricate process involves the use of the stem of the gentian plant, a unique material harvested annually at high altitudes in the Swiss Alps by our dedicated Armin Strom adventurer team. The gentian stem stands out for its remarkable ability to give an exceptionally smooth and refined finish, exemplifying the exacting standards that define our timepieces.
This traditional technique, deeply rooted in the heritage of Swiss watchmaking, serves as a testament to our commitment to preserving artisanal methods. This dedication to combining heritage and innovation underscores our pursuit of crafting timepieces that stand as enduring symbols of precision and refinement.
