Introduction: A Familiar silhouette, a Bold blue heart
Armin Strom’s One Week collection has always been about the elegance of restraint: a compact 41mm case, a clean dial philosophy, and a seven-day power reserve that quietly champions mechanical discipline. The One Week Manufacture Edition Blue preserves the series’ proportions while amplifying texture and transparency in a refined, blue-tinted package. Built for daily wear yet engineered for enthusiasts who pause to study the movement, this model continues the brand’s tradition of putting the mechanics at center stage.
Design language: Subtle luxury in blue and steel
The stainless steel case sticks to the familiar 41mm diameter, 10.6mm height and 44.35mm lug-to-lug footprint, ensuring it remains versatile on the wrist. Visually, the watch is all about contrasts: brushed planes meet sharply polished edges, and a guarded crown at 3 o’clock hints at the instrument-like DNA of the brand. A flat, anti-reflective sapphire crystal protects the dial, while a robust 100m water resistance makes it a true all-week companion, whether you’re at the desk or out on the weekend.
The dial arrangement is where the One Week concept takes its most informative stance. Gone is the traditional dial face; instead, a deep blue PVD-coated mainplate serves as the backdrop. A black minute ring with faceted, SLN-filled indexes frames the display; rhodiumed, polished hands carry luminous fills for legibility in dim light. The small seconds register sits at 9 o’clock, maintaining balance within the open-worked aesthetic.
Between ten and eleven o’clock, the signature three-dimensional power-reserve display makes a kinetic impression. It’s a visual cue that blends function with art: a polished cone driven by a conical gear that mirrors itself between seven and eight, creating an almost sculptural readout that you check once and then appreciate for days. The whole display is the choreography of springs, wheels and levers in motion, a signature Armin Strom trait that rewards patient observation.
Movement and performance: ARM21 in-house caliber
At the heart of the One Week Manufacture Edition Blue lies the manual-winding ARM21, developed, finished and assembled in-house. Two barrels in series deliver a seven-day power reserve, a long train of energy stored behind a compact exterior. The movement ticks at 25,200 vibrations per hour, and its balance is secured by four regulating screws, a combination that aims for stable running across the entire week-long power reserve.
Finishing on the ARM21 is a study in contrast and texture. The movement shows straight and circular graining, Geneva stripes, and hand-chamfered bevels that catch the light as you tilt the watch. Polished screws and sinks add a touch of precision, while matte-grained textures on the plates interact with the deep blue backdrop in an almost tactile way. It’s a deliberate celebration of craftsmanship: you feel the effort that goes into making a seven-day manual-wind movement, and that feeling underscores the watch’s identity.
Case, bracelet, and wearability: A complete week companion
The Manufacture Edition Blue uses a solid, integrated steel bracelet with a twin-folding clasp, sealing its status as a practical daily wearer. The combination of the case geometry and the bracelet ensures that the watch sits comfortably on the wrist, with a secure feel that’s important for a watch meant to be worn throughout the week. The 100m water resistance and robust build invite confidence, whether you’re commuting to work or enjoying a weekend escape.
Why this edition matters: Blue as a statement of intent
Beyond the aesthetics, the One Week Manufacture Edition Blue signals Armin Strom’s ongoing commitment to transparency and mechanical storytelling. The blue mainplate, the visible motion of the cannon and gears, and the choice of an integrated steel bracelet all work together to communicate a modern, no-nonsense approach to luxury watchmaking. It’s a watch that invites you to understand the movement without renouncing elegance or practicality—a true synthesis of form and function.
Bottom line
For enthusiasts who love a seven-day power reserve, an in-house caliber, and a watch that’s both legible and intriguing, the One Week Manufacture Edition Blue is a refined specimen. It respects the DNA of the One Week family while pushing the envelope with blue plating, stripped-back dial architecture, and a clearly articulated movement that invites closer inspection.
