Fratello Talks: With Claude Greisler Of Armin Strom
On this week’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho and RJ sit down with Claude Greisler, co-founder and master watchmaker at Armin Strom. Together, they explore Claude’s journey from a young apprentice to leading one of Switzerland’s most technically inventive independent brands. The trio discusses how Armin Strom evolved from a workshop known for skeletonization to a fully fledged manufacture that continues to innovate while staying true to its mechanical transparency. But first, as always, it’s time for a wrist check!
Wrist check
Claude is, of course, wearing an Armin Strom watch. Today, it’s the System 78 Orbit Ice Blue, a stunning piece that captures the brand’s modern spirit. The Orbit is Armin Strom’s take on a date complication like no other — a column-wheel-controlled date hand that jumps on command, circling the outer track of the dial. In its Ice Blue iteration, the watch combines crisp finishing with subtle contrasts, highlighting the open-worked gear train and the three-dimensional movement layout for which Armin Strom is known. It’s technical but wearable, making it a fitting choice for the man who helped design it.
RJ has gone with the Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon, a watch with a subtle connection to Armin Strom’s history. Before becoming a manufacture, Armin Strom was known for its masterful skeletonization work, and one of the company’s notable projects was skeletonizing Omega Speedmasters. RJ’s choice pays quiet homage to that collaboration. The Grey Side’s ceramic case and meteorite-inspired dial capture both the cosmic spirit of the Speedmaster line and the artisanal precision that connects Omega’s story to independents like Armin Strom.
Nacho, rounding things out, is sporting his Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Weltzeit. It’s a clean, travel-ready GMT with a restrained Bauhaus aesthetic that provides an elegant counterpoint to the visible mechanics of the other two watches.
Fratello Talks: With Claude Greisler of Armin Strom
Claude shares how his fascination with mechanics led him to Armin Strom and how the brand’s philosophy continues to guide every design. He explains the importance of creating movements that are not only beautiful but also structurally logical, in which every bridge, wheel, and gear has a purpose. It’s a conversation that captures the essence of independent watchmaking — craft, curiosity, and the courage to reveal the mechanics behind the magic.
A highlight of the discussion is Claude breaking down the resonance system. He explains how the twin balance wheels influence each other to stabilize rate deviations, improving precision and consistency over time. According to Claude, this approach isn’t just a visual spectacle; it’s also a functional solution that enhances chronometric performance while remaining fully visible through the skeletonized movement.
Another point in today’s discussion is the way in which Armin Strom strikes a balance between innovation and heritage. Claude emphasizes that progress comes from a focus on innovation rather than building interest exclusively through marketing. Looking ahead, Claude hints at an ongoing pursuit of innovation. We’re left to guess what it will specifically be. We left this conversation with renewed appreciation for the brand and its way of bringing together complications, novel materials, and refined movement architectures, all while maintaining Armin Strom’s signature elements — openness, forward thinking, and mechanical expressiveness.
We hope you enjoy listening to (and/or watching) our chat with Claude Greisler of Armin Strom. Be sure to tune in next week for another episode of Fratello Talks!
