Frequently Asked Questions
Swiss Watchmaking Questions Answered
Brand & Heritage
What makes Armin Strom an independent Swiss watchmaker?
Armin Strom is an independent manufacture in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland, founded in 2009 by watch enthusiast Serge Michel and master watchmaker Claude Greisler. The company designs, produces and hand-finishes its mechanical movements entirely in-house — independent of any watch group — pursuing its own horological research rather than following industry conventions.
What is 'transparent mechanics'?
“Mechanical poetry” is Armin Strom’s founding philosophy that every movement must have a purpose — resolving a horological problem or advancing watchmaking — rather than existing for decoration alone. This principle is expressed visually through “transparent mechanics”, the brand’s openworked, movement-forward design language that reveals the labour and precision behind every piece.
Who is behind Armin Strom?
Armin Strom was founded in 2009 by Serge Michel and master watchmaker Claude Greisler, who lead the manufacture today together with their in-house team of watchmakers and finishing specialists. Claude Greisler also carries forward several generations of Swiss-German watchmaking tradition within his own family.
Technology & Resonance
What is a resonance watch, and how does Armin Strom's resonance technology work?
A resonance watch uses two balance wheels that synchronise their oscillation through physical proximity, improving rate stability. Armin Strom’s patented Resonance Clutch is the brand’s own mechanical solution for achieving and maintaining this synchronisation reliably in a wristwatch.
What is the Resonance Clutch?
The Resonance Clutch is Armin Strom’s patented in-house innovation that mechanically links two balance wheels, enabling them to enter resonance and share chronometric stability — a solution developed entirely within the manufacture. Learn more in Science of Movement
What is the difference between an in-house calibre and a bought-in movement?
An in-house calibre is designed, engineered and produced entirely within a manufacture’s own workshops, from raw materials to the finished, hand-finished movement. Armin Strom develops and builds every calibre itself, rather than sourcing base movements from external suppliers.
Craftsmanship & Hand-Finishing
What is hand-finishing in Swiss watchmaking (anglage, perlage, guillochage)?
Hand-finishing refers to decorative techniques — such as anglage (polished bevelled edges), perlage (circular graining) and guillochage (engine-turned patterns) — applied by hand to movement components. At Armin Strom, these techniques are performed entirely in-house and can take up to ten times longer than producing the component itself.
How is Armin Strom's approach to finishing different from other Swiss manufactures?
Armin Strom employs more watchmakers for decoration than for assembly, reflecting a deliberate emphasis on hand-finishing over production speed. Every component passes through complete in-house decoration — including bridges and parts not visible from the dial side — a standard few independent manufactures maintain across their entire collection.
Why does decorating a movement take longer than manufacturing it?
Hand-applied finishing techniques like anglage and perlage cannot be rushed or fully automated without losing precision and character. At Armin Strom, decoration can take up to ten times longer than component production, and movements go through a double-assembly process — full assembly, disassembly, cleaning and reassembly — to protect that finishing.
Buying & Service
Where can I buy an Armin Strom watch?
Armin Strom watches are available through the brand’s network of authorized retailers worldwide, listed on the official retailer finder, as well as directly through Armin Strom for select models and services.
How much does an Armin Strom watch cost?
Armin Strom is positioned within the high-end segment of Swiss watchmaking, a positioning built on extensive development work behind every in-house calibre and the skill of our master artisans, who dedicate themselves to increasingly refined hand-finishing on each timepiece. For pricing on a specific model, take a look at the individual timepieces within our collection, where you’ll find the pricing information.
How can I verify an Armin Strom watch is authentic?
Every Armin Strom watch should be purchased through an authorized retailer or directly from the manufacture, and can be verified via its individual reference number.
Collections
What's the difference between the System 78, Resonance and Masterpieces collections?
System 78 is Armin Strom’s accessible entry into haute horlogerie with in-house automatic and manual calibres; the Resonance Collection features the brand’s patented dual-regulator resonance technology; and the Masterpieces Collection houses the most complex, limited-edition pieces showcasing the manufacture’s highest level of craftsmanship.
Still Have Questions?
Can’t find what you’re looking for? Reach out directly — our team in Biel/Bienne is happy to help.