Armin Strom Orbit Purple: A Bold New Take of the Date On, Date Off

With the new Orbit Purple, Armin Strom introduces a striking new version of its innovative timepiece, featuring the brand’s signature on-demand date display. The bold violet subdial adds a daring splash of color, creating a vivid contrast to the beautifully exposed mechanics that define the Orbit’s design.

Watches with date displays are a practical everyday choice, offering more than just the time—a daily reminder of the present moment that many find especially useful in a professional setting. On the other hand, purists and fans of classic or minimalist designs often favor dateless watches for their clean, harmonious dials that focus purely on timekeeping. In the end, it’s all about personal preference: function or form, convenience or aesthetic purity.

Three years ago, Armin Strom introduced a clever compromise with the Orbit: a mechanical watch with a unique on-demand date indicator integrated into the bezel. At this year's Watches & Wonders, the brand unveiled a vibrant new iteration: the Orbit Purple. This latest version offers a fresh and expressive violet color scheme—and, as with the original, production is strictly limited to just 20 pieces.

The heart of the Orbit Purple is its inventive mechanism: a retrograde date hand controlled via a column wheel. With a simple press of the pusher on the left side of the case, the central hand—with its purple, A-shaped tip—instantly jumps to the correct date on the ceramic bezel, which is engraved with numerals from 1 to 31. Another press returns the hand to its neutral position.

The 43.4mm stainless steel case is coated with sleek black DLC, with alternating polished and satin-brushed finishes adding depth and refinement. The violet gradient subdial, offset to the left, makes room for the captivating openwork display of the mainspring barrel, column wheel, and the three skeletonized bridges—all key features of Armin Strom’s signature aesthetic. Superluminova highlights the hour markers and the 6 and 12 numerals on the sub dial, as well as the faceted rhodium-plated hands, ensuring legibility even in low light.

Inside, the watch is powered by the in-house automatic caliber ASS20, operating at 25,500 vibrations per hour with a micro-rotor and a generous 72-hour power reserve. The finishing is meticulous, offering a visual treat for movement lovers and collectors alike.

Limited to just 20 pieces worldwide, the Armin Strom Orbit Purple comes on a black textile strap and is priced at $37,800.

To learn more, visit Armin Strom, here.