The Armin Strom Tourbillon Skeleton Fire watch is a visually stunning, luxurious representation of the company’s contemporary take on the traditional Mètiers d’Art skeletonisation technique.  Forming part of the brand’s “Elements” series, its resplendent 18-carat gold aesthetics capture the essence of Earth’s most intense component and underscore Manufacture Armin Strom’s position within the upper echelon of Haute Horlogerie.

With a multi-layer calibre reduced to its essentia though meticulous craftsmanship, this model stays true to the principles established by the company’s eponymous founder, by offering its wearer an intimate view of the inner-workings of the components which work in unison to mark the passage of time.

The watch carries a rounded 43.40 mm 18-carat rose gold case. Located at 6 o’clock, the unmistakeable protruding lip offers the potential for a bespoke, engraved motif.

Beneath the domed sapphire, a darkened, skeletonised PVD coated mainplate becomes the dial, offering a superb contrast to the golden case.  Having painstakingly reduced the gear-train bridges and barrel bridges to their bare bones, the craftsmen at Armin Strom enable a full exposé into the heart and soul of the watch.  At the uppermost of this multi-layer façade, a sapphire dial ring ensures that nothing is obscured.

Despite the compelling view of this complex architecture, the time is still highly legible.  The off-set sapphire dial ring features appliqué hour markers and cleanly executed minute markers, while the hours and minutes hands in rose gold have been given a generous coating of lume. At the 3 o’clock location, a sapphire plate, with visible screws proclaims the provenance of this impressive watch.

But, this is not merely a time-telling device it is also a lesson in horological anatomy.  By reducing their ATC-11S calibre to its bare bones, Armin Strom have revealed its essence.

Whirring in constant motion at the 9 o’clock location, a showcase one-minute Tourbillon incorporates a passing seconds display, indicated via a diminutive open-worked golden hand. And, offering another compelling feature, the fully exposed double barrels give an uninterrupted view of the winding mechanism.

Turning the piece over unveils a new panorama.  Through the rear sapphire crystal, the wearer is offered an uninterrupted view of the impeccable craftsmanship of the fully skeletonised Armin Strom Manufacture ATC-11S calibre.  Beating at a leisurely 18,000vph, the movement has an extraordinary ten days of power reserve.

The Armin Strom Tourbillon Skeleton Fire wristwatch wears on a brown horn-back alligator leather strap and comes supplied with an additional brown rubber strap.