I remember watching Armin Strom for the first time for a week. It was Geneva Watch Day in 2023, but the setting could not be more memorable. Most brands held meetings in the shade of The Beau Rivage’s Sepia-Toned Suites, but Armin Strom had something different in mind. I followed the address provided and found myself on a small boat. There, looking out over the famous Lucklemann, picking up a beer and sitting across from co-founder Claude Graceler, I got my first hands-on experience in a week. It was amazing and was one of my top watches this year. It left a lasting impression and has earned a permanent place on my holy grail list – so far, with the new Armin Strom one week of skeleton titanium.
The Holy Grail was replaced by a younger, bold, and much more prominent model. Enter your weekly skeleton titanium. Armin Strom launched the model with Watches and Wonders earlier this year. I wasn’t there this time, so I had to praise it from afar. But the moment I saw it, I reached out to the brand. I had to look at it in metal, away from the topic of Palexpo. Honestly, this watch looked good in the photos, but I was looking forward to more as I approached and became personal.
Same bones, not much more modest
The basics are the same, but skeleton? It’s bigger, lean and not afraid to show off. This is not a simple case of cutting out a few bridges and calling them a day. Rather, it is a completely reworked version of the ARM21 caliber. The plates and bridges are rebuilt, open and re-adjusted, creating completely different characters that are quietly less impressive and require attention.
The layout still follows the same logic. It offers twin vertically arranged barrels that provide twin power and features a twin signature cone style power reserve indicator. But now it feels like everything is floating in the air. There is tension in the movement, but most of the time it appears that the suspension bridge has been tightened. It’s mechanical, but theatrical. The main bridge displays anthracite PVD coating (except the two holding twin barrels) and manual finish. In the light on the right, the polished bevel glows, and the inner geometry reveals itself. There is depth everywhere.
One week on the wrist
I’m happy that the case size has not been changed. It is still 41mm and 10.6mm thick, and the proportion is close to perfect. Wear it flat enough to slip under the cuff and maintain a presence that reminds you that it’s always there. If I’m completely honest, the watch looks a little bigger than the diameter suggests. I think it looks like 42mm, but that’s probably due to the large “dial” and lack of a proper bezel. That said, the extremely short, stocky rug continues to fit well on the wrist. It looks bigger than the measurements on the paper, but not much.
The weekly skeleton titanium is extremely comfortable, as you would expect with a lightweight alloy. The rug is gentle bent, the strap integration is seamless, and the folding grip is safe without bulk. Nothing gets in the way. There was a moment when I stared at it, resting my wrists on the desk, and found myself doing nothing but a slight light shift and a refined accent on the barrel. Don’t tell your boss, but this watch will cause procrastination. The 9 o’clock hand moves with slow grace, a simple, stable counterweight against all the visual tensions around it. Due to all its complexity, the watch remains easy to read. It was a tricky balance with the skeleton watch, and Armin Strom nailed it.
One of the best H-link bracelets I’ve ever worn
The bracelet is grade 5 titanium, just like the case, and is one of the best H-link styles I’ve worn. It may sound like a faint praise, but really, it’s fantastic. The central link has folded folded ridges, like softly rimmed pyramids, creating extra facets for light to catch. This adds depth and visual interest to what is usually quite flat and potentially boring.
The surface finish matches beautifully with the soft matte tone of the case. This helps the entire package feel cohesive and well integrated. It’s always an important detail and unfortunately not all brands are correct. This is a type of bracelet that quietly strengthens the price range of the watch, is solid, smooth, and designed with both comfort and aesthetic balance in mind. Titanium bracelets can be hit or miss. Its lightweight vibe can sometimes fall out as rattle or cheap. Thankfully, there is no such issue here.
The butterfly clasp is slim and has a touch above the link line, but it is intentionally true. It integrates well and does not break the flow. My only minor complaint is the lack of tweaks. Recently, some kind of fly adjustments have seen an increase in butterfly clasp, but I think it’s fair to expect that at this level. It’s something you want to add a line rather than breaking the contract. I noticed I was sitting slightly between the link sizes so the tweak would have been the cherry on top.
Compare with the original
When I first tried the original week in 2023, I thought it was one of the quietest and most confident watches I’ve been wearing. It introduced me the brand and it did so with incredible calm. From the seven-day power reserve to the twin corn indicators and beautifully layered architecture, everything felt fresh and different. This new version is based on it in a very different way. It takes the same idea, pulls it apart, reveals everything, exaggerates the lines, sharpens the contrast. The results are more aggressive, more expressive and somehow even more wearable.
The original is a purist choice. It is restrained and gentle. Skeleton, on the other hand, is what happens when a brand stops restraining. I’m happy, it doesn’t feel like a gimmick. I thought it was too much for my wrist, but it wasn’t. It’s just more lively.
Movement and execution of the ARM21-S
The ARM21-S is a suitable technical showcase, as it is now called. It’s not just ARM21 with fat trimmed. The bridge has been redesigned to this open layout, with structure and tension in mind. From several angles it appears that the whole thing is hanging from the wire. From others it feels like it’s carved from a single piece of metal. Either way, it’s fun to explore.
The finish is impressive as it is always from Armin Strom. Brand finishes are often overlooked and underrated. It’s perfect. The bevel is polished by hand. The black coating gives it a shadowy dimension, and the contrast of the matte, brush and granular surfaces makes everything feel more layered. There’s nothing flat. Even the hidden parts have letters. Technically, the performance remains the same. The twin barrel gives you a 7-day spare and the movement throbs at 3.5Hz. It’s accurate, smooth and dreamy. Honestly, I’m even happy to bend this watch. Feel the buttery smoothness of each turn, watch the corn shift and hear the soft clicks of engagement. These little touches will be with you.
Where Armin Strom goes
What I admire about Armin Strom is how concentrated the brand is. There is no single filler model in the lineup. All the works feel intentionally. And when you revisit the concept, it’s never because of marketing noise. That’s because there’s more to Armin Strom.
This skeleton version feels like that – the designer took a breath and looked at the week, trying to see how much he could push it in a systematic, engineered, and clockwise respected way, rather than in a flashy or reckless way. And despite how exposed it is, this is a watch you can wear every day, like I did for a week. Not a safe queen, nor is it novelty. It’s serious watchmaking and happens to be a bit flashy.
Final Thoughts on Skeleton Titanium for the Armin Strom One Week
Something special happens when a brand reinterprets a great watch and somehow makes it even better. That’s what happened here. A week of skeleton titanium takes what was already an excellent watch and pulls back the curtains. The results are more engaging, more interactive and surprisingly versatile. Certainly, skeleton watches are not for everyone. And some people will always prefer the original gentle and full plate elegance. But this version drew me in. It replaced the Holy Grail and I wouldn’t lightly say it.
One week of skeleton titanium is more than just a visual update. This is the perfect expression of Armin Strom doing its best. Mechanical depth, strong design, thoughtful engineering, complete lack of compromise. For me, the original lover, the Armin Strom One Week Skeleton Titanium, is one of the most attractive watches of the year.
