Introducing: Four New Armin Strom Tribute 1 Models With Fumé Dials
When the 38mm Tribute 1 debuted two years ago, it was different from what we usually expect from Armin Strom. The overall design resembled the brand’s DNA, yet it was something distinct. It was simpler, smaller, and had a charm about it that other AS models did not. It was the perfect Armin Strom dress watch, and now, with its new fumé dials, the Tribute 1 is even more attractive.
Now with 13 variations on the roster, the Tribute 1 is already the most extensive model line within the Armin Strom catalog. The latest are the four new Fumé variants — Sky, Ocean, Burgundy, and Slate.
Tribute 1 Fumé
The Tribute 1 is Armin Strom’s version of a dress watch. In other words, it’s the manufacturer’s unique take on the most fundamental of timekeepers, the three-hand watch. Creating a time-only piece is more complicated than it sounds, yet the Biel/Bienne-based brand quickly tackled the task. At 38mm wide, 44.35mm long, and 9.38mm thick, the Tribute 1 is a perfectly sized modern interpretation of a classic timepiece. Its simple design focuses on three components — its offset dial, barrel, and larger dial plate. For the new Fumé versions, the brand took two of those three elements and gave them an eye-catching twist.
The result is a striking set of four watches, each limited to 10 pieces. The Fumé Sky, with its light blue tone, is the brightest of the group. My favorite, the Fumé Ocean, has a deep blue dial, perfectly complementing the darker guilloché dial plate. Fumé Burgundy brings a splash of color but in an elegant way. The last model, the Fumé Slate, is arguably the most contemporary in its looks.
Guilloché by Voutilainen
While the fumé dials are the real eye-catchers of the new Armin Strom Tribute 1 models, they are not the only elements worth mentioning. A renowned contemporary watchmaker and expert in dial decoration, Kari Voutilainen also has something to do with the new AS limited editions. Those striking anthracite dial plates with classic guilloché finishing came from Voutilainen’s atelier to heighten the charm of the timepieces. While the Fumé Slate may have an overall unified look, the other three colors perfectly contrast the anthracite guilloché dial plates.
The last element on the front is the “motor barrel” held by a finger-style bridge, a nod to the movements in old pocket watches. This single mainspring barrel provides the Armin Strom Tribute 1 Fumé models with 100 hours of power reserve. The above assembly perfectly combines design, watchmaking, and craftsmanship.
AMW21
Inside every Armin Strom Tribute 1 timepiece, including the Fumé models, beats one of the brand’s in-house movements. One of the essential features of an actual dress watch is also present here as the 21-jewel manufacture AMW21 is a hand-wound caliber. The regulating system contains a flat hairspring with a variable-inertia balance wheel and brass barrel bridge. The aforementioned 100-hour power reserve results from the large barrel, and the movement ticks away at a 3.5Hz (25,200vph) frequency. Just like in every other Armin Strom timepiece, this movement has hand finishing throughout.
Final specs and pricing
Rhodium-plated hands and indices sit atop the striking offset dials of all the Armin Strom Tribute 1 Fumé variants. The stainless steel case is water resistant to 5 ATM, and Armin Strom offers all versions on a gray Alcantara calf leather strap.
The price of the Tribute 1 Fumé is CHF 19,900 / €23,100 / £19,700 / US$20,900. For more information, visit the official Armin Strom website. Also, let us know what you think of these four new Tribute 1 Fumé models in the comments!
