An excellent example of contemporary independent watchmaking, and a timepiece that represents the ingenuity of this acclaimed watchmaking company, the Armin Strom Orbit Manufacture Edition is, in every way, an exceptional proposition. Featuring an ingenious date mechanism, debuted by Armin Strom to the watch industry, together with their patented internal stop-work declutch system, this superb model which has been finished to Haute Horlogerie standards throughout, has the advantage of a beautifully executed link bracelet which underscores its sports aesthetic.

Acclaimed for their conceptual watchmaking and technical mastery, Armin Strom are an exciting independent watch company who are renowned by collectors throughout the world. With a portfolio brimming with meticulously finished and assembled timepieces which revisit centuries-old techniques and reinterpret them with state-of-the-art technology, Armin Strom watches stand apart for their inventiveness and uniqueness. Forming part of the company’s System 78 Collection, the Orbit Manufacture Edition is equipped with a pointer date mechanism which redefines the mechanism by enabling the wearer to have a fully interactive experience with its functionality.

Exhibiting avant-garde styling, the Orbit Manufacture Edition is housed in a stainless steel case, and the sporty character of the piece is reinforced by the addition of a superb steel link bracelet, giving the piece casual, daily wear appeal. Sized at 43mm across and with a height of 12.6mm the attention given to both the case and its accompanying bracelet are exceptional.

Integrated within the left side of the case, is a neatly tucked in pusher. Seemingly innocuous at first glance, it actually plays a pivotal role in the activation of a highly unusual and unexpected pointer date indication. From the centre, the date hand with its red A-tip serves to indicate the date of the month which is referenced on the black ceramic bezel of the watch. However, with just one touch on the pusher, the retrograde date hand will instantly jump back to the 12 o’clock location so as not to obscure the openworked panorama of the dial. Having been commanded by the wearer to remain at the 12 o’clock, here it will stay until, with one touch on the pusher, and at the wearer’s discretion, it will instantaneously jump to the relevant day of the month once again, having used its marvellous mechanical memory to count the days while remaining stationary.

The date setting is enabled via the crown, while for longer periods between wearing, a corrector enabling rapid correction of the date is integrated within the case band for ease of use.

While this compelling feature is a playful inclusion, its mechanical arrangement is similar to the complex architecture of a column-wheel chronograph, and is therefore demanding of technical mastery in its design, manufacture and its assembly, and its creation is a superb example of the adventurous spirit and technical mastery of the Armin Strom Manufacture.

While the pointer date hand is in the stationary position at the 12 o’clock, one can admire a full disclosure of every detail of the facade. Taking up position on the left, an off centred black dial carries the hours and minutes, while also incorporating a small seconds subdial. Elsewhere, the trio of skeletonised bridges, the mechanism for the retrograde on-demand date, and the components of the winding system and the mainspring barrel are also showcased, with meticulous hand-finishing on every nuance of the layout.

Powering the watch, and appreciable through the rear side sapphire crystal, the magnificent in-house designed and manufactured self-winding calibre ASS20 is demanding of further inspection. Notably, the calibre integrates the Armin Strom patented internal stop-work declutch system, which essentially shuts the movement down, around the 72 hour mark, as the reserve approaches its last hours, ensuring regularity and accuracy. The wearer can keep check on the system via a tiny pointer on the dial side view of the barrel.

Released as part of the Armin Strom System 78 portfolio, the technically meritorious Orbit Manufacture Edition will be produced in limited numbers.