A beautiful wristwatch which combines the reserved elegance of the classical dress watch with the technical complexity and hand finished detailing of a haute horlogerie masterpiece, the new Tribute 1 First Edition by independent Swiss watch brand Armin Strom is a piece of demure sophistication.

Presented in a round stainless steel case whose 38mm diameter recalls the mid to late twentieth century taste for less overtly proportioned wristwatches, the Tribute 1 also features a brand new hand-winding movement, developed at Armin Strom exclusively for this latest member of the brand’s System 78 family.

Immediately it is clear that throughout the Tribute 1, no tiny nuance has been rushed or overlooked.  From its crown position at the two o’clock position to the contrasting textured surfaces of the dial, to the clean lines of the case, with polished bezel and angles, brushed waist and squared lugs, the attention to detail and consideration to each part of the overall design is thorough.

At just over 9mm tall, the case has a slim profile which is conducive to a perfectly comfortable fit on the wrist, and indeed the offset crown only enhances this.

The sapphire crystal is slightly domed and beneath it the dial is minimalist, with the dark grey colour of its Black Or surfaces providing a monochrome contrast with the silvery steel hands and indices, as well of course as the barrel cover, which is secured under one of the beautiful skeletonised bridges, which have become an Armin Strom signature in recent times. For this First Edition of twenty-five pieces, this bridge is manufactured in 18ct white gold, whose lustre stands out upon the dial.

The hours and minutes are displayed on a decentralised dial, which is decorated with concentric snailed circles and is slightly recessed from the rest of the grainy gunmetal grey dial.

On the underside, a sapphire crystal caseback reveals the superb Calibre AMW21 manual winding movement which has been conceived, designed and developed in the Armin Strom Biel/Bienne ateliers, exclusively for the Tribute 1 collection. Beating at 3.5hz (25,200 vib/h), the in-house movement boasts an impressive 100 hours of autonomy, which is achieved in part thanks to the innovative motor barrel, which dissipates its energy with optimal efficiency. The balance and escapement assemblage are visible, while a three quarter plate features broad Côtes de Genève stripes and mirror polished anglage around the edges.

A modern-day embodiment of the restrained styling of the classical dress watch, the Tribute 1 by Armin Strom remains faithful to its inspiration, while still being cool and contemporary. It is presented on a soft grey Alcantara strap with folding deployant clasp, and for the first twenty-five pieces the watch is accompanied with a ten year manufacturer’s warranty.