Discover the Stunning Armin Strom Tribute 2 Aurum Edition: A Watchmaking Masterpiece
In the world of watchmaking, execution can transform a simple idea into something truly remarkable. Armin Strom has perfected this art with its Tribute 2 series. While designing a watch with a 100-hour power reserve sounds straightforward, Armin Strom has taken this concept in thrilling new directions. The latest testament to their ingenuity is the Armin Strom Tribute 2 Aurum Edition, featuring an eye-catching gold-coated tremblage mainplate. I had the pleasure of experiencing it firsthand.
Why We Love Armin Strom
At Fratello, we’re huge fans of Armin Strom. This brand has produced some stunning timepieces that draw inspiration from classic watchmaking while embracing a modern edge. The Tribute series, in particular, adds a unique twist to the concept of a 100-hour power reserve. By showcasing the motor barrel prominently alongside a beautifully off-center dial, Armin Strom brings technical sophistication to the fore. While the Tribute 1 leans towards stylish refinement, the Tribute 2 offers a bolder, open-worked interpretation, beautifully represented in the new Aurum Edition.
The Concept Behind the Armin Strom Tribute 2 Aurum Edition
Back in September, Armin Strom unveiled my favorite from the Tribute series, the Tribute 1 Sandstein. This piece paid homage to the brand’s roots in Burgdorf with a subtle sand hue that beautifully contrasted its technical complexity. When presented with the opportunity to review the Tribute 2 Aurum Edition, I realized it could easily become one of my top picks for 2026.
Exploring the Details of the Tribute 2 Aurum Edition
The fundamentals of the Tribute 2 Aurum Edition align closely with previous editions. This watch boasts a 38mm stainless steel case, measures 9.38mm in thickness, and has a lug-to-lug span of 44.35mm, along with a water resistance rating of 50m.
It features beautifully proportioned lugs that give it character from various angles. The mix of polished and brushed surfaces enhances its visual appeal, but the real showstopper is the hand-finished mainplate featuring the exquisite tremblage finish and gold coating.
The tremblage is a meticulous hand-finished process that involves delicate hammering to create an intricately textured surface. This adds significant depth to the Tribute 2 Aurum Edition and beautifully contrasts with the more substantial components, enhancing their aesthetics.
The Striking Contrast of the Tribute 2 Aurum Edition
Atop the mainplate rests an off-center gray fumé dial, bordered by a hand-polished stainless steel ring. This dial showcases a combination of applied and painted hour markers, coupled with the brand logo and two screws securing the dial to the mainplate. Gold-colored hands, featuring a polished finish and Super-LumiNova, gracefully indicate the hours, minutes, and seconds.
The skeletonized barrel, a hallmark of the brand’s design, is prominently featured, alongside beautifully finished components such as the click bridge and the winding wheels, adorned with stunning circular graining. The overall design strikes a perfect equilibrium—neither overly technical nor excessively classical, creating a balanced visual aesthetic.
Unveiling the In-House AMW21 Caliber
But that’s just the beginning! Turning the watch over reveals the stunning Geneva stripes and hand-finished anglage on the three-quarter plate of the AMW21 caliber. This manual-winding movement consists of 137 parts, operates at 25,200 vibrations per hour, and boasts an impressive 100-hour power reserve. This means owners only need to wind the watch via the crown every four days following a full wind.
Additionally, the case back and the movement detail unique aspects of the Tribute 2 Aurum Edition, including a limited edition number for one of the ten pieces that Armin Strom will produce. While we had the prototype without the unique number, the final production versions will proudly display it. Complementing this exquisite watch is a taupe leather strap with matching stitching and a stainless steel buckle, complete with quick-release spring bars for easy strap changes. Personally, I found the taupe leather strap exceptionally striking.
Wearing the Armin Strom Tribute 2 Aurum Edition
I had the chance to wear the Tribute 2 Aurum Edition for a few days, and it was an enjoyable experience. Previously, I had a longer hands-on experience with the One Week Manufacture Edition, which is significantly larger. However, the Tribute 2’s modest 38mm case size offers a refined and comfortable wearing experience that fits nicely on my wrist.
The larger elements on the dial may appear more pronounced in photos than in real life, resulting in a well-balanced design that beautifully showcases the brand’s intentions. I appreciate how Armin Strom combined their technical mastery with an integrated design ethos, making the skeletonized components feel organic rather than forced.
But the true star of the show is undoubtedly the gold-coated mainplate. The intricate details are truly captivating—I found myself glancing at it multiple times throughout the day, even using a loupe to admire the exquisite manual finishing. This kind of attention to detail is exactly what we expect from an extraordinary timepiece.
Final Thoughts on the Armin Strom Tribute 2 Aurum Edition
Ultimately, the Tribute 2 Aurum Edition is not just comfortable but features a remarkably slim 9mm profile, making it a delightful daily companion. The crown provides an enjoyable winding experience that strikes a perfect balance between smoothness and resistance, reinforcing why we admire Armin Strom so much.
Armin Strom will produce just 10 numbered examples of this limited edition, each priced at CHF 27,000. After my experience with the watch, I have no doubts that these pieces will quickly find their new homes, captivating their future owners. The Tribute 2 Aurum Edition serves as a stunning affirmation of the Tribute series’ magic and stands as my favorite line from Armin Strom—a well-deserved accolade for such a remarkable release.
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