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WatchEater666 · 13 August 2023, 07:15 AM

I decided I wanted one of these about a year ago, but they never pop up used! So here I am, ordering one new :) I guess that alone says a lot about the brand!

Decided to go with Topper as they carry a few brands I love, and they were quick to reply VS the other dealers I reached out to. Great service so far!

What I like about the brand is:

a) Excellent finishing relative to what the big boys offer in the same price range. IE true hand finished anglage. The backside on these actually features 60 degree anglage instead of the usual 45 degrees!

b) No games! I like ordering from a brand without any dumb games.

c) Interesting movement. I love the dial side movement, and am a total sucker for the aesthetic. IE the Breguet Tradition :) Resonance is icing on the cake.

d) Customization. Pretty much anything can be customized.

Initially I was thinking of a blue/salmon color scheme, but then realized a pale frosted role gold could look cool...

Love heat bluing too so threw that in.

And here is what Claude sent over yesterday:

Strap is TBD, will probably do a navy blue alligator or suede. Hands might also change to be like the ones on their mirrored force model. Not too big on the skeletonized hands.

991C4S · 13 August 2023, 07:19 AM

That’s so cool, congrats. I met Claude a few times at various events, Armin Strom is a excellent independent. They are very passionate, great value, great finishing and very original.

enjoythemusic · 13 August 2023, 08:54 AM

Cooool, my wife says it is very interesting.

FrugalGreubel · 13 August 2023, 09:26 AM

I didn’t even know they offered customization. Thanks for sharing!

ILoveFerrari · 14 August 2023, 01:50 PM

I am fond of Armin Strom as well. Have you tried asking for Kari dial? It is worth the extra bucks for Kari dial.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

fmc000 · 14 August 2023, 07:18 PM

I love it, every detail is perfect IMHO, even the strap and the hands. I don't know it the watch is water resistant or not but if it is I'll add a nice rubber strap as a bonus for summer wearing.

ap1 · 14 August 2023, 09:37 PM

Looks cool. I’m not fond of the plaque on the case at 6. My understanding is that it’s for engraving. But I see it on all their watches with most not engraved. I wouldn’t buy a watch of theirs with this plaque there if I didn’t want it engraved. I’m not sure I have all the facts correct here but I can’t unsee that thing everytime I look at one of their watches. Similar to blncpain or norquain who also have these things on their cases, pass for me

ILoveFerrari · 15 August 2023, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ap1

Looks cool. I’m not fond of the plaque on the case at 6. My understanding is that it’s for engraving. But I see it on all their watches with most not engraved. I wouldn’t buy a watch of theirs with this plaque there if I didn’t want it engraved. I’m not sure I have all the facts correct here but I can’t unsee that thing everytime I look at one of their watches. Similar to blncpain or norquain who also have these things on their cases, pass for me

it was even bigger before with that tongue at 6 oclock. It's their design.

This is only one of 4 watchmakers that makes resonance movement. I personally love it.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

WatchEater666 · 19 August 2023, 02:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 991C4S

That’s so cool, congrats. I met Claude a few times at various events, Armin Strom is a excellent independent. They are very passionate, great value, great finishing and very original.

Great to hear. Sounds similar to other feedback I collected from people before pulling the trigger!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FrugalGreubel

I didn’t even know they offered customization. Thanks for sharing!

Yeah, waiting on pricing still but I have been put in a whatsapp group with claude and the topper guys to throw ideas around.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovegt

I am fond of Armin Strom as well. Have you tried asking for Kari dial? It is worth the extra bucks for Kari dial.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

I was thinking about it, but I like this more industrial aesthetic for this watch. I have a kari on order so would be a little overkill haha :)

Quote:

Originally Posted by fmc000

I love it, every detail is perfect IMHO, even the strap and the hands. I don't know it the watch is water resistant or not but if it is I'll add a nice rubber strap as a bonus for summer wearing.

For sure! Thinking rubber too.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ap1

Looks cool. I’m not fond of the plaque on the case at 6. My understanding is that it’s for engraving. But I see it on all their watches with most not engraved. I wouldn’t buy a watch of theirs with this plaque there if I didn’t want it engraved. I’m not sure I have all the facts correct here but I can’t unsee that thing everytime I look at one of their watches. Similar to blncpain or norquain who also have these things on their cases, pass for me

Quote:

Originally Posted by ilovegt

it was even bigger before with that tongue at 6 oclock. It's their design.

This is only one of 4 watchmakers that makes resonance movement. I personally love it.

Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

You can go with a normal case without a lip! :)

djnick · 20 August 2023, 09:10 AM

I think this one is the best version they have made so far

WatchEater666 · 25 August 2023, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djnick

I think this one is the best version they have made so far

I like it too, but need the animation of the seconds hands :)

enjoythemusic · 25 August 2023, 10:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by djnick

I think this one is the best version they have made so far.

Ooooh, very VERY nice! Smart thinking as the band matches the dial. This is something MB&F desperately needs to work on imho.

golfer_john · 24 September 2023, 12:43 AM

Any update on the custom build? I’m also thinking of ordering a custom piece. Would love to see your final renderings.

WatchEater666 · 24 September 2023, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by golfer_john

Any update on the custom build? I’m also thinking of ordering a custom piece. Would love to see your final renderings.

Custom pricing came back really really high. Just going to do stock blue. I don’t think the watch makes sense at the customized price point relative to stock. It puts it into a space where I’d just spend a little more and get something else from a different brand.

The quote actually made 0 sense to me. Like 2x the price of what I thought was ballpark and based on what others I know have paid but whatever, I guess.

codecow · 24 September 2023, 11:02 PM

That’s really weird on the price. I guess it makes sense based on what I have seen from dial production where the factory will do a run of dials for a reference. You throw in one offs and it messes things up, or you have to have dedicated people doing one offs. Either of these would be expensive.

I miss the days when you could get a custom watch from Kari for a reasonable price.

WatchEater666 · 8 October 2023, 05:10 AM

Ended up being a misunderstanding with what they quoted me. Proceeding with the custom frosting. The dial is TBD.

WatchEater666 · 19 October 2023, 04:08 AM

Got the confusion cleared up thanks to the guys at topper. Moving forward!!! Should be here in 6 - 10 months I am guessing.

enjoythemusic · 19 October 2023, 04:43 AM

Major congrats!

WatchEater666 · 9 February 2024, 07:48 AM

Should be done in Ocober. Would be happy with any time before march 2025 tbh!

FrugalGreubel · 9 February 2024, 12:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WatchEater666

Should be done in Ocober. Would be happy with any time before march 2025 tbh!

Wow that’s pretty cool as far as timeframes go.

Thanks for the update!

13 August 2023, 07:15 AM	#1
WatchEater666 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,982	Custom Armin Strom - Build Thread I decided I wanted one of these about a year ago, but they never pop up used! So here I am, ordering one new :) I guess that alone says a lot about the brand! Decided to go with Topper as they carry a few brands I love, and they were quick to reply VS the other dealers I reached out to. Great service so far! What I like about the brand is: a) Excellent finishing relative to what the big boys offer in the same price range. IE true hand finished anglage. The backside on these actually features 60 degree anglage instead of the usual 45 degrees! b) No games! I like ordering from a brand without any dumb games. c) Interesting movement. I love the dial side movement, and am a total sucker for the aesthetic. IE the Breguet Tradition :) Resonance is icing on the cake. d) Customization. Pretty much anything can be customized. Initially I was thinking of a blue/salmon color scheme, but then realized a pale frosted role gold could look cool... Love heat bluing too so threw that in. And here is what Claude sent over yesterday: Strap is TBD, will probably do a navy blue alligator or suede. Hands might also change to be like the ones on their mirrored force model. Not too big on the skeletonized hands.

13 August 2023, 07:19 AM	#2
991C4S 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: May 2015 Location: NYC Posts: 183	That’s so cool, congrats. I met Claude a few times at various events, Armin Strom is a excellent independent. They are very passionate, great value, great finishing and very original. __________________ Audemars Piguet ROO Diver x Chopard LUC XPS 1860 Chopard LUC Quattro x Girard Perregaux Laureato Chronograph 81020 H Moser Cie Endeavour x Manufacture Royale 1770 Flying Tourbillon Rolex Datejust II 116300 x Vacheron Constantin Overseas 47040

13 August 2023, 08:54 AM	#3
enjoythemusic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: Steven Location: Glocal Posts: 21,160	Cooool, my wife says it is very interesting. __________________ __________________ ----> Was Great Seeing Everyone At The TRF December 9 Tampa Meetup <---- https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=968133 Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.

19 October 2023, 04:43 AM	#18
enjoythemusic 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Real Name: Steven Location: Glocal Posts: 21,160	Major congrats! __________________ __________________ ----> Was Great Seeing Everyone At The TRF December 9 Tampa Meetup <---- https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=968133 Love timepieces and want to become a Watchmaker? Rolex has a sensational school. www.RolexWatchmakingTrainingCenter.com/ Sent from my Etch A Sketch using String Theory.

13 August 2023, 09:26 AM	#4
FrugalGreubel 2024 Pledge Member Join Date: Jan 2021 Location: NY Watch: Voutilainen (2030) Posts: 807	I didn’t even know they offered customization. Thanks for sharing!

14 August 2023, 01:50 PM	#5
ILoveFerrari "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2022 Location: California Posts: 361	I am fond of Armin Strom as well. Have you tried asking for Kari dial? It is worth the extra bucks for Kari dial. Sent from my SM-S918U using Tapatalk

14 August 2023, 07:18 PM	#6
fmc000 Banned Join Date: Sep 2011 Real Name: Fabio Location: Como - Italy Posts: 4,811	I love it, every detail is perfect IMHO, even the strap and the hands. I don't know it the watch is water resistant or not but if it is I'll add a nice rubber strap as a bonus for summer wearing.

14 August 2023, 09:37 PM	#7
ap1 2024 SubLV41 Pledge Member Join Date: Mar 2013 Location: usa Posts: 19,536	Looks cool. I’m not fond of the plaque on the case at 6. My understanding is that it’s for engraving. But I see it on all their watches with most not engraved. I wouldn’t buy a watch of theirs with this plaque there if I didn’t want it engraved. I’m not sure I have all the facts correct here but I can’t unsee that thing everytime I look at one of their watches. Similar to blncpain or norquain who also have these things on their cases, pass for me

20 August 2023, 09:10 AM	#10
djnick "TRF" Member Join Date: Jan 2020 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 173	I think this one is the best version they have made so far

24 September 2023, 12:43 AM	#13
golfer_john "TRF" Member Join Date: Apr 2023 Location: USA Posts: 100	Any update on the custom build? I’m also thinking of ordering a custom piece. Would love to see your final renderings.

24 September 2023, 11:02 PM	#15
codecow "TRF" Member Join Date: Feb 2013 Real Name: Louis Location: Bay Area, CA Watch: PP 5131R Posts: 5,195	That’s really weird on the price. I guess it makes sense based on what I have seen from dial production where the factory will do a run of dials for a reference. You throw in one offs and it messes things up, or you have to have dedicated people doing one offs. Either of these would be expensive. I miss the days when you could get a custom watch from Kari for a reasonable price.

8 October 2023, 05:10 AM	#16
WatchEater666 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,982	Ended up being a misunderstanding with what they quoted me. Proceeding with the custom frosting. The dial is TBD.

19 October 2023, 04:08 AM	#17
WatchEater666 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,982	Got the confusion cleared up thanks to the guys at topper. Moving forward!!! Should be here in 6 - 10 months I am guessing.

9 February 2024, 07:48 AM	#19
WatchEater666 "TRF" Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Vancouver Posts: 1,982	Should be done in Ocober. Would be happy with any time before march 2025 tbh!

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