Armin Strom: history, models and value

Founded

1967

Founder(s)

Armin Strom

Headquarters

Biel/Bienne

Owner / group

Independent

Armin Strom: origins and founding

Armin Strom founded his company in 1967 in Burgdorf, in the canton of Bern. He started with restoration and with skeletonizing, engraving and decorating watches by hand, and sold his work in his own shop. In 1984 he showed his first own collection at the Basel watch fair.

Founders and family

Armin Strom became known as a master skeletonizer, and the brand mentions a Guinness World Record for the smallest hand-skeletonized ladies' watch. In 2006 he sold the company to the Michel family. Serge Michel, a collector and family friend, and watchmaker Claude Greisler took over and still run the brand. Armin Strom retired in 2011 and died in 2024 at the age of 86.

Armin Strom history and milestones

• 1967: workshop founded in Burgdorf.
• 1984: first own collection at the Basel fair.
• 2006: Serge Michel and Claude Greisler take over.
• 2009: the new manufacture in Biel/Bienne opens, with the in-house calibre ARM09 (eight-day power reserve).
• 2010: One Week collection.
• 2012: ATC11 tourbillon calibre with a ten-day power reserve.
• 2014: Skeleton Pure collection, winner of a Red Dot design award.
• 2016: Mirrored Force Resonance, with two balances linked by a resonance clutch spring.
• 2018: move from Baselworld to SIHH.

Famous Armin Strom models

• Vintage Armin Strom skeleton watches: hand-skeletonized and engraved pieces from the Burgdorf era, often based on bought-in movements.
• Skeleton Pure and One Week: open-worked watches with in-house movements.
• Mirrored Force Resonance and Dual Time Resonance: resonance watches with two balances.
• Orbit, Tribute and the Minute Repeater Resonance.

Movements and technique

Since 2009 Armin Strom makes its own movements in Biel; the brand states a vertical integration of about 97%, including plates, bridges, wheels, springs and screws. Key calibres include the ARM09, the AMW11 and the ATC11 tourbillon. The brand's signature is resonance: two separate oscillators that synchronize each other through a patented clutch spring, which aims to improve stability. Most models show the movement from the dial side.

Armin Strom today

Armin Strom AG is independent, based in Biel/Bienne and run by Serge Michel and Claude Greisler. It is positioned in independent haute horlogerie, with prices in the luxury segment and small production.

Armin Strom prices on the pre-owned market

Modern Armin Strom watches are made in small numbers and appear mostly at specialist dealers and auctions. Resonance models and limited editions attract the most interest from collectors of independents. Early Burgdorf-era skeleton watches are valued for the hand work, the case metal and the condition. As with most independent brands, pre-owned prices can be well below retail for some models, so complete box and papers and service history make a real difference.

How to recognise a genuine Armin Strom

Fakes are uncommon. On modern pieces, check that the movement matches the model's calibre and that the case number fits the papers. On vintage skeleton watches, look for even, hand-finished skeletonizing and engraving; rough or machine-like work can point to a later imitation. The manufacture in Biel can help verify a watch. See also how to spot a fake watch.

What is your Armin Strom worth?

Upload photos of dial, caseback and movement to our free watch value estimate for a first range. For insurance or an inheritance, a written watch appraisal is available.

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