Today’s Armin Strom is heir to a long tradition of manually-wound dress watch production. The Tribute 1 revisits that history with a watch characterized by its modern aesthetics, classic proportions, technical distinction and exceptional hand-finishing.
The Tribute 1 is offered in a classically-proportioned case measuring 38mm in diameter, with a height of just 9mm. The crown of the manual wound calibre is located at 2 o’clock, enhancing comfort while conveying an avant-garde sensibility. The lugs are intentionally slender, enhancing the elegant appearance of the timepiece. The distinctive dial of the Tribute 1 seems to magically transition between shades of grey in variable lighting conditions, with a particular affinity for natural light. The plate positioned adjacent to the off-center dial, is embellished with a spectacular grenage finish that adds texture to the dial. The hand polishing of the solid white gold barrel bridge, positioned to the front of the watch, requires an average of 12 hours to complete. The barrel, visible on the dial-side of the timepiece, is similarly meticulously hand-polished. The meticulous polishing of the hands, which were designed specifically for the Tribute 1, are also extremely time-consuming to produce. The gear train bridge on the backside is beveled and polished in 60° – a process that’s far more complex to execute than the standard approach; requiring twice as long to complete.
HOROLOGICAL DISTINCTION
In keeping with the System 78 commitment to horological distinction, the innovative motor barrel developed for the ‘Tribute 1’ is distinguished by an arbor that turns around the mainspring within the barrel itself, making it far more efficient while also conserving space.
PRICING AND AVAILABILITY
The inaugural release of the “Tribute 1” is priced at an intentionally-accessible CHF 13,900 and is limited to just 25 pieces. The Tribute 1 is further distinguished its white gold barrel bridge and a 10-year warranty, exactly double the standard warranty offered by Armin Strom.
