Armin Strom co-founders Serge Michel and Claude Greisler look back on 15 years of achievements including 17 exclusive movements, patents, unique designs and 97% in-house production depth. 15 years ago, Armin Strom transformed from a one-man show to a fully integrated manufacture brand when entrepreneur Serge Michel and master watchmaker Claude Greisler took over the reins.

Since 2009, the two childhood friends have been dedicating their lives to the science of movement, building up an independent manufacture with a team of 38, including 22 skilled watchmakers able to turn raw steel bars into hundreds of complex, interconnected watch components. So far, this has resulted in 17 brand-unique different calibres with a signature open-worked design divided among the brand’s three main pillars: System 78, Resonance and Masterpiece.

A harmoniously arranged skeletonised calibre with an evolved and subtle watchmaking style. Arnold & Son has reworked its Nebula collection, giving it a more striking case with a universal diameter of 40 mm while retaining its remarkably finished movement and unique abundance of watchmaking tradition. Two versions – one with a rhodium-plated and black calibre, the other with golden accents – ensure that the Nebula 40 Steel shines bright. The aesthetics of the Nebula collection are unlike any other skeleton: its structure conveys watchmaking spirit, its style expresses unique elegance, and the overall effect is one of outstanding finesse.

The case of the Nebula collection has been redesigned, modernised and refined. With streamlined lugs, a softly rounded bezel, a more vertical case middle and a diameter of 40 mm in harmony with its thickness of just 9.10 mm, this steel case opens a new chapter for the collection. Featuring the A&S5201 skeletonised calibre offering an ultra-graphic layout, Nebula retains its identity as a watch whose movement fascinates, captivates and draws the eye into its depths.

Black is the absence of light. This is the physical definition of a colour that is synonymous with classicism and elegance. At Moritz Grossmann, black is used to form stylish contrasts and also serves as a testament to the highest standards of craftsmanship. The limited-edition ENAMEL ROMAN Vintage, for example, has an enamel dial whose manufacture presents multiple challenges. With this, Moritz Grossmann has chosen the occasion of its 16th birthday to once again shine the spotlight on the expertise of the ateliers and workshops in Glashütte.

Tradition requires renewal, otherwise it remains stagnant in the past and cannot survive. This is an approach that Moritz Grossmann has embodied since 2008: the manufactory opened 16 years ago as a tribute to one of the most exceptional personalities in the history of watchmaking in Glashütte. Moritz Grossmann was an innovative watchmaker and, with the founding of the German Watchmaking School in Glashütte, influenced a generation of artisans.

His values and vision now live on in the Moritz Grossmann manufactory, which crafts a small but exquisite collection of sophisticated watches that always remain true to the standards of the man who gave the manufactory its name. Characteristics of these timepieces include exclusive manufactory movements with innovative details that are designed, made and finely decorated in-house in the company’s own workshops. The highest of standards also come into play when finishing the watches, as impressively demonstrated by the special model marking the 16th anniversary of the manufactory.
 

Released initially with a grey dial and then with a Lever de Soleil color dial, the C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Edition Bracelet is now featured with two new dials: a three-dimensional straight grained structured dial in Grade 5 black titanium with white details and a black sapphire openwork dial with blue and white accents.

The three-dimensional straight grained black titanium dial provides an even more assertive character with its textured surfaces. The sharp contrast between the white details and the dark background enhances the time indications. This dial embodies a distinctly modern design while maintaining excellent readability, even in low-light conditions, thanks to the use of Super- LumiNova on the indexes, numerals, and hands.

As for the sapphire openwork dial, it reveals the intricate components of the movement, showcasing the brand's sophisticated watchmaking engineering and artisanal craftsmanship. This openwork design creates a captivating interplay between transparency and structure, transforming the watch into a true technical and aesthetic masterpiece. When Romain launched the first edition of C by Romain Gauthier in 2021, it was clearly stated that this new caliber would lead the brand to new horizons. One year later, a new door has been opened with the arrival of the brand's first metal bracelet.

Sober and contemporary, propitious to variations and adaptations, C by Romain Gauthier was an obvious choice for the creation of a metal bracelet. The desire of modernity, comfort and ergonomic already initiated during the conception of the first edition, reinforced the development of this integral timepiece on a titanium bracelet - light, resistant, modern and sophisticated. Aesthetically, it was important to Romain that the bracelet and the watch become one. As he said: "The bracelet is the case, and the case is the bracelet". This desire is reflected in the fusion of these two elements, a timepiece as a whole that cannot be dissociated.

In keeping with Romain's vision - The Evolution of Tradition - this new technical and contemporary element requires a high level of craftsmanship and hand finishing. Each link is composed of hand-polished and satin-finished surfaces that play with the light and reflect the technical nature of the bracelet and the piece in general.

For the final titanium 41mm, three-hands limited edition with rubber strap, Romain Gauthier presents a timepiece with a partially open dial, unveiling a portion of the entirely hand-decorated movement.

C by Romain Gauthier Titanium Editions are modern timepieces with a sporty design that encloses a titanium movement whose hand-finishing prowess can be admired on the case-back. This time Romain wanted the stunning features of this movement to be easily visible just by looking at the watch, even when worn. By opening the dial, he reveals the beauty of the mechanism inside, bringing a technical aesthetic to this timepiece, which until now has featured a full dial.

This partially open dial is particularly reminiscent of the history of the brand's very first timepiece, the Prestige HM, which evolved to reveal the seconds-hand mechanism on its sister caliber, the Prestige HMS.

Unveiled in 2021, the C by Romain Gauthier caliber was the result of more than 16 years of know-how acquired through the brand's development and its manufacture, while reflecting Romain's creative freedom with a modern and youthful design.

Technical in nature, casual in style and free in spirit, the Freedom collection has enabled the creation of this contemporary caliber. The significance of C by Romain Gauthier lies in its creative approach to reinforce the notions of continuity with its concept and design, in reference to the Continuum. Reflecting a vision of the future for a timepiece which is part of Romain Gauthier's philosophy, and which opens the door to new horizons.

During its creation, it was clear to Romain that the case had to harmonize with the movement. It had to be contemporary and uncluttered. But not only that – comfort, ergonomics and the choice of materials also contributed to the design of this timepiece with the decision to use Grade 5 titanium. The dial, in sapphire for this edition, adds to the consistency of the piece and evokes a sense of continuity, as no circle completes the time indication.

Inspired by the finger bridges style, the design of the movement follows the watchmaking history of the Vallée de Joux but with a modern approach, reflecting Romain’s vision of the evolution of tradition.

Romain Gauthier presents the sixth edition of the caliber in titanium in a limited edition of 88-pieces and engraved “1 of 88” on the back of each movement.