ArminStrom

Armin Strom will present this Skeleton Square Man watch in addition to the Elements watch line at Basel later this month. Skeletonization has certainly been on the radar of many this season, and the trend continues to evolve. This watch is pleasant looking take on open faces and skeletonization. The Skeleton Square takes a fashionably designed 18k white gold rectangular case with engraved sides, and very unique proportions as a frame for the decorated movement.

Inside is a hand-wound Armin Strom ASM09 calibre that is lovingly decorated in a very traditional manner. As there is so much detail to appreciate on the watch face, Armin Strom chose to add an AR coating to the sapphire crystal, making it easier to view. The point of this watch is to combine a modern looking architecturally-themed case with a classically decorated movement - it makes its point well. You do get the impression that a watch like this is made for an appreciative audience, rather than for just any watch lover though. This is ok, because taking the time to study the finer points of this watch allows you to respect the various talents used to create it. Insofar that the Skeleton Square Man watch is a showpiece of fine watch making, I respect its placement in the horological community. The watch is attached to a black alligator strap with a matching white gold buckle. Look for it soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

"Armin" is a new branding exercise from the watch maker Armin Strom, who began the brand in 2006. Taking his last name out, he also moves on to much sportier models, maintaining their high level of exclusivity. The new Elements collection is a fascinating line of watches based on a new Armin in-house movement; the Armin Strom calibre ASR07. The movement is a manually wound (with 46 hours of power reserve) regulator movement that includes a date complication. All information is laid out in subdial, with the minutes and date dials using retrograde indicators. The theme involves uses of overlapping circles that together present a partially skeletonized, yet functional display of the time.

The Elements collection focuses on four models. You guessed it, they are the Earth, Wind, Fire, and Air. As such, the color tones of the watch cases, dials, and straps attempt coordinate with their specific elemental theme. Each 43mm wide case is constructed out of titanium, with models like the Fire being plated in gold, and black PVD coating on the Earth model. Each strap is a shaded tone of alligator leather. The look of this limited edition (100 of each model) series is endearing, and consistent enough to look good years from now, even when the techie skeletonized look has officially past its prime.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.