Independents

Help with Armin Strom

this afternoon I discovered Armin Strom watches, I have a lot of independents but this never came across my radar until today. There are three pictures below and if you all could give my you opinions (advice is great) on them and the brand it would be greatly appreciated...Jim

‘This one is really cool, rather big at 43.40x13mm but a wonderful watch with a more wonderful complication. Price is probably $59K +-

This one is smaller and lees is more kinda thing, better fitting at 42x12 mm probably $50K +-

This last one is 1 of 10 in stainless steel and a Kari dial, smaller also in the 42mm range. Price is $18,600, a lot of watch for the mone

I edited your picture to take out your name and details

Cazalea

This message has been edited by cazalea on 2020-06-24 17:36:22

login to reply

Not an expert on these...

By: mdg : June 24th, 2020-17:38

...but like almost every independent these days, these are huge. I think the watchmakers have the skill to make them smaller (although that is yet to be proved), but they seem to prefer a big watch to fit in more complications or to just show off. My maxi...

Thank you for the comments

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 24th, 2020-20:56

I’m really focusing on the three watches in the photos, I know AS is bigger watches but two of then or not so big and I am only interested in those watches...Jim

If I may...

By: Brandon Skinner : June 24th, 2020-22:51

There are those who choose to create larger watches as a means to ensure long(er) term durability. I have heard Roger W. Smith mention in interviews he elects to make thicker timepieces to allow for more substantial components made to stand the test of ti...

A fair point...

By: mdg : June 25th, 2020-07:41

...but very disappointing that the consummate dress watch (pick your favorite Smith) should be made so thick. It's not like a thinner version would be 'in the shop' every few months.

Thanks Brandon very salient points

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-08:46

I could wear any of these watches but the two at 42mm x 12mm are not that big for my 6.75 inch wrist, honestly I don’t like thin watches very much. What is you opinion on the two resonances?...Jim

I took a trip on Armin Strom's invitation and wrote several articles about them: see links inside

By: cazalea : June 24th, 2020-17:39

Racing with Armin Strom and the Rain www.watchprosite.com Cazalea

Thank our so much but

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 24th, 2020-20:57

The articles do not contribute to my questions, there are three watches I’m focusing on and two of them are smaller and mor wearable...Jim

You asked for input on the brand

By: cazalea : June 24th, 2020-22:15

Those articles contain the input I have to share on the brand. I’d suggest you find a dealer and talk to them about AS reputation, service capability, waiting times, availability, strap choices, etc. AS offers lots of options - are they what you want? Are...

Great points Cazalea

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:16

I have found a great dealer, I alway want independents but can be price sensitive and as you stated I cannot find enough data on these watches to ascertain the value proposition. Yes I believe they are independent with about 400-500 watches a year. The st...

More about the Resonance

By: cazalea : June 25th, 2020-10:27

Mirrored Force Resonance www.watchprosite.com www.watchprosite.com

Tab is still there, just very small now. [nt]

By: nwk00 : June 25th, 2020-17:56

Wow excellent stuff, thanks! [nt]

By: nwk00 : June 24th, 2020-21:51

Thanks for your reply...Jim [nt]

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:16

Very cool [nt]

By: artp1085 : June 24th, 2020-20:34

I think so too...Jim [nt]

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:16

The 3rd one is a fantastic piece and great vue for money!

By: Bounce781 : June 24th, 2020-22:09

My pick is that one for sure

I agree with you and

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:18

It doesn’t have the tab a 6 o’clock like the others, I don’t care for that too much but it is not a deal breaker...Jim

I have seen all of them in person / in the metal.

By: Abu Alex | أبو اليكس : June 24th, 2020-22:26

They are all technically very accomplished watches and the movements are completely hand finished! When was the last time you saw a watch below 20k with a interior angles!? Yes, probably never... If money and case size were no object, I would pick the fir...

Thanks LX

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:23

Very detailed reply and I appreciate it, these guys are defiantly driven by creativity and passion I agree the first one has everything a collector would want, the size is ok by me, I wear bigger watches but I would prefer it be smaller so the other reson...

I think you probably enjoy the tecnical aspects of watches

By: nwk00 : June 24th, 2020-22:50

because you picked the 2 that I feel represents the technical ambition of the company the best(2 because 1 is a repeat) I prefer the Mirrored Force Resonance over the Pure Resonance because you can check if the balances are in sync or not through the two ...

Agreed

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:27

Agreed, The value proposition is probably not great, I’ve been collecting Watches for about 12 years now and have went through a transformation ending up pretty much with independent Watches and for the most part you will lose some money so you need to bu...

Gravity Equal Force is 41mm not 42mm [nt]

By: nwk00 : June 24th, 2020-23:12

Thank you for the correction, 41 mm is even better… Jim [nt]

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:27

Like you i also just discovered the brand .

By: Watchonthewrists : June 25th, 2020-01:39

I wasn’t a huge fan of there old models from previous years but this year they came with some pretty cool and impressive watches . Was lucky to have a close look at these models when the Ceo of the brand was in my country last februari . Was planning to v...

Thanks for your comments.

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:28

Discovering the brand was a treat and learning more about them through this forum is a wonderful tool to have… Jim

I had also posted a short report on an Armin Strom event...

By: Abu Alex | أبو اليكس : June 25th, 2020-02:46

www.watchprosite.com

Thank you again LX

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:29

Very helpful these guys are definitely passionate watchmakers… Jim

Jim, all I can offer is that in the metal every AS I’ve tried has left me kinda flat.

By: Jay (Eire) : June 25th, 2020-05:29

Size was definitely an issue for me, and so that could have coloured my opinion. But it was more than that, the case, bezel, dial etc was just all very cold to me. I can’t articulate it well, sorry. You absolutely need to get these on the wrist. That’s th...

Thanks Jay I would love to try one on.

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-09:04

I have the new FPJ Resonance on order and can’t wait. The 3 Armin Strom watches I pictured are nice looking in the pictures. The new one, 41mm, is stainless steel and a reasonable price point for what you get. The only real question is How much will I lik...

You can always use the configurator on their website for other dials if you are unsure of the dial version you posted

By: nwk00 : June 25th, 2020-11:15

Or you can always get them to do bespoke, they entertain that at a price.

Thanks again, I’ve been on their web site

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 25th, 2020-17:18

It is so cool you can customize...Jim

Incoming I think?

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 28th, 2020-11:16

Hi again everyone and thanks to everyone for the help on my Armin Strom choices. I believe I have found the watch I want and wanted to post it for you comments. It is rose gold with a custom Kari white enamel solid rose gold dial. I will receive the Watch...

Gravity Equal Force Owner here

By: saso : June 29th, 2020-04:46

Before the Gravity Equal Force (GEF) I acknowledged the people at AS as very innovative but certain design elements (especially the 6 o'clock lip) and the models' size never spoke to me personally. Yet I immediately fell for the GEF when I saw the first r...

Thanks for your post sasa

By: GreatPilot@me.com : June 29th, 2020-12:18

The Gravity force was the first one I looked at and was very impressed, for the money it is a lot of watch. If you still love it after 6 months have no regrets, the value proposition has to be part of the price we pay for the pleasure . I then looked at t...