Armin Strom Introduces The Tribute 1 Sandstein — Honoring Its Hometown Of Burgdorf

Armin Strom launched the Tribute 1 in 2021 as part of its more accessible System 78 collection. Those were different times, as the world was still experiencing a global pandemic. According to Serge Michel, Armin Strom’s co-founder, the Tribute 1 represented hope that the pandemic would end soon. Well, it did, and in the meantime, many new references were added to the Tribute 1 collection. Armin Strom’s versions of a modern dress watch featured a skeletonized barrel, contrasting colors, and even fumé dials. With the new Tribute 1 Sandstein, the brand returns to the collection’s roots with a more serene design.

The first Armin Strom Tribute 1 had a monochrome dark gray dial on which the white gold barrel beautifully stood out. It almost seems like the new Sandstein edition goes back to those elegant design principles. That doesn’t mean it isn’t a joy to behold, though. Let’s take a quick look.

The Armin Strom Tribute 1

The new Armin Strom Tribute 1 Sandstein features the same modest and familiar 38mm stainless steel case. Its modern finish includes both brushed and polished surfaces. The lugs span 44.35mm from tip to top, and the watch measures only 9.38mm from sapphire to sapphire. Those are the perfect dimensions for a modern dress watch.

With the crown at 2 o’clock, you can wind and set the manual-wound caliber AMW21. Its signature feature is the exposed white gold barrel held in place by the mirror-polished bridge on the dial side. The in-house movement runs at a frequency of 25,200vph, features 21 jewels, and holds an impressive power reserve of 100 hours. Through the case back’s sapphire display, you can enjoy the hand-beveled bridges, Geneva striping, and black-polished screws. The construction is water resistant to 50 meters.

Sandstein edition

The unique feature of the Armin Strom Tribute 1 Sandstein is its dial color, inspired by the warm tone and gritty texture of sandstone. This is a material commonly used in Burgdorf, Armin Strom’s hometown in the canton of Bern, Switzerland.

The best example of the use of this material in the town’s architecture is the impressive Burgdorf Castle.

The new Tribute 1 incorporates the sandstone color on both the off-centered dial and the frosted empty space around it. In addition, the main dial also features a barleycorn guilloché finish in the center and elegant Roman numerals on its chapter ring. As with any Tribute 1 model, the Sandstein version has a skeletonized handset and six exposed screws on the dial side. The barrel bridge’s prominent jewel provides a nice color accent among the serene sandstone backdrop.

Limited to 50 pieces

I love the clean and peaceful look of the Armin Strom Tribute 1 Sandstein. The Roman numerals and barleycorn dial pattern are classic details that complement the watch’s modern aesthetic quite well, and so does the sand-colored Alcantara strap with off-white stitching. The new Tribute 1 Sandstein is limited to 50 pieces and costs CHF 22,000.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the Armin Strom Tribute 1 Sandstein.