The Armin Strom Manual Fire watch pairs the company’s meticulous hand-finishing with the luxury of 18-carat rose gold.  Forming part of the brand’s “Elements” series, the resplendent aesthetics of this fine wristwatch are a superb reinterpretation of Earth’s most intense component.

Having achieved vertical integration, Armin Strom have complete control over every stage of their manufacturing.  Almost every single component of each model is produced in the company’s workshops and their small series collections ensure exclusivity.  Continuing the legacy of their founder, Armin Strom continue to focus on visible calibre components, and are defined by their supreme Haute Horlogerie hand-finishing and decoration.

The Armin Strom Manual Fire watch carries a contemporary, rounded 43.40 mm 18-carat rose gold case framed by a trim, polished bezel. Located at 6 o’clock, the unmistakeable protruding lip, which is synonymous with the company, offers the potential to add a personalised, engraved motif.

For this model, the mainplate of the movement becomes the dial, and its fine concentric decoration provides the perfect backdrop for the time indications.

In an off-centred position, the hours and minutes are marked in white on a black dial ring, with applied hour numerals at 12, 3 and 6, and double digits for the minutes. To aid readability, the razor-tipped hour and minutes hands have been lume-coated.  A smaller black dial ring, for the seconds, leans over towards the 9 o’clock position, while at the 3 o’clock location, the Armin Strom logo is engraved upon a plate with visible screws.

Adding to the pristine, contemporary aesthetic of the dial rings and numerals, an open section between 12 and 3 o’clock reveals the traditional spirit of the mechanics of the watch, with a view of the mainspring barrel and the gear train.

This superb exposé offers a glimpse at partly skeletonised bridges with their deeply set intense rubies and the toothed wheels of the gears, which the wearer can see in motion when setting the time.

Turn the piece over, and the advantages of this manual-wound calibre can be immediately appreciated.  Bereft of a rotor, the wearer is offered an uninterrupted view of the impeccable craftsmanship of the Armin Strom Manufacture AMW11 movement.

Here, a glimpse deep into the heart of the calibre reveals a compelling view of an old-school screwed balance, surrounded by exquisite perlage bridges.  Hand-engraving, unique to the Manual Fire model has been executed on one of the bridges, while elsewhere the meticulous concentric hand-finishing on the mainplate continues.  Beating at a leisurely 18,000vph, the movement has a power reserve of 120 hours.

The Armin Strom Manual Wind Fire wristwatch wears on a brown horn-back alligator leather strap and comes supplied with an additional brown rubber strap.  The model is an exclusive limited edition of just 100 pieces.