The New Openworked Armin Strom Tribute² Copper Edition x Horomariobro

Since its debut in 2021, the Tribute 1 collection – a contemporary take on the classic dress watch by Armin Strom – has expanded with a series of remarkable additions, like the Fumé and California dial series that captivated enthusiasts by blending traditional finishing techniques with Armin Strom’s modern design sensibilities. The series is taking an exciting step forward by unveiling the Tribute² Copper Edition. A follow-up to the @horomariobro Resonance, it shares the DNA and ethos of earlier Tribute references, yet the fresh dial design redefines the game entirely, now exposing its fine mechanics front and back.

The case of the new Armin Strom Tribute² Copper Edition retains the design of the Tribute 1 series with a straight and angular middle section, thin polished bezel with the distinctive “lip” at 6 o’clock and faceted lugs. It is crafted from stainless steel, has a 50m water resistance, measures 38mm in diameter and 9mm thick – it’s an absolute joy on the wrist, with superb proportions yet personality – and features a fluted crown at 2 o’clock and a transparent caseback, with sapphire crystals front and back. While undeniably elegant and nicely finished, its design stretches the boundaries of a traditional dress watch. Yet, this bold reinterpretation aligns perfectly with Armin Strom’s vision for the Tribute series – to reinvent the classic while staying distinctively modern.

The dial of the Tribute² Copper Edition takes the collection’s contemporary aesthetic to the next level, leaving one to wonder why the brand didn’t debut the Tribute series with a partially openworked design – it’s an absolute winner! While the overall layout remains familiar, featuring the off-centred dial and the prominent barrel held by a skeletonized finger bridge at 5 o’clock, the openworked approach transforms the watch. Armin Strom ventures into new creative territory by skeletonizing the barrel and revealing the click, its bridge, and the winding wheels.

The dial of this inaugural edition of the Armin Strom Tribute² offers details to admire and demands a loupe. The copper-coloured mainplate features a rare and intricate finish known as grattage, which has been created in collaboration with a collector known as Horomariobro on Instagram – his second collaboration with the brand. This meticulous hand-scraping technique achieves a perfectly flat surface with a distinctive brush-stroke-like texture. Mastered by only a handful of artisans, this finish is further elevated by a copper-coloured PVD coating.

Against this textured background, the grey fumé time display stands out beautifully, framed by a hand-polished and bevelled steel ring. Held in place by two visible screws, the dial features a rose gold-plated handset (hour and minutes hands skeletonized) to harmonize with the mainplate’s copper tones. The stick indices at 2, 8, 10, and 12 o’clock share the same rose gold finish, while the remaining indices are left untreated. The skeletonized barrel is a showcase of craftsmanship, with each spoke hand-bevelled and polished. For the first time in the series, the steel bridge securing the barrel is adorned with hand-applied black polish. The click bridge features polished bevels, while the click, barrel spokes and winding wheels exhibit a circular graining finish, adding layers of texture to the dial.

The new openworked edition, like all watches in the Tribute series, is powered by calibre AMW21, a hand-wound movement with a slim profile of 4.2mm. It features a variable inertia balance wheel, beating at a frequency of 3.5Hz or 25,200 vibrations per hour. An impressive 100-hour power reserve is owed to its original motor barrel design, where the arbour rotates around the mainspring within the barrel, optimizing space and performance. Flipping the watch reveals the ¾ plate adorned with thick Geneva stripes, complemented by polished bevels and countersinks highlighting the craftsmanship. The balance cock, echoing the design of the barrel bridge seen on the dial side, ties together the artistry and technical nature that define this calibre and the watch.

The new Armin Strom Tribute² Copper Edition is offered with a grey Alcantara calfskin strap. The watch is a limited edition of 10 pieces to launch the series (more editions will surely come), and the price is CHF 27,000. It is sold exclusively by Armin Strom on the brand’s website, ArminStrom.com.