Armin Strom Tribute 1: New Release Overview

First impressions are: the watch is high (hand made) quality/workmanship, the 100 hour power reserve is perfect, the micro rotor is very nice and thin, the size fits as you would expect a 38mm to fit and the watch is very comfortable with a very classy look.  The price point at $15,600 was reasonable for a limited first edition of 25 and what will be more like it coming but this one has the white gold barrel bridge showing on the front side, future editions will not be in white gold.

From the Armin Strom web site:

The Tribute 1 is offered in a classically-proportioned case measuring 38mm in diameter, with a height of just 9mm. The crown of the manual wound calibre is located at 2 o’clock, enhancing comfort while conveying an avant-garde sensibility. The lugs are intentionally slender, enhancing the elegant appearance of the timepiece. The distinctive dial of the Tribute 1 seems to magically transition between shades of grey in variable lighting conditions, with a particular affinity for natural light. The plate positioned adjacent to the off-center dial, is embellished with a spectacular grenage finish that adds texture to the dial. The hand polishing of the solid white gold barrel bridge, positioned to the front of the watch, requires an average of 12 hours to complete. The barrel, visible on the dial-side of the timepiece, is similarly meticulously hand-polished. The meticulous polishing of the hands, which were designed specifically for the Tribute 1, are also extremely time-consuming to produce. The gear train bridge on the backside is beveled and polished in 60° – a process that’s far more complex to execute than the standard approach; requiring twice as long to complete.

HOROLOGICAL DISTINCTION
In keeping with the System 78 commitment to horological distinction, the innovative motor barrel developed for the ‘Tribute 1’ is distinguished by an arbor that turns around the mainspring within the barrel itself, making it far more efficient while also conserving space.