Introducing the Straum Jan Mayen Frozen Metal Titanium
The Norwegian microbrand's first integrated titanium bracelet, with a blast of icy vibes
At time of writing, much of Europe and the United States are stewing in sticky heat waves. Along with plenty of electrolytes and minimal movement, a Norwegian watch with a frosty white dial called Frozen Metal sounds pretty good right about now. In lightweight titanium, even better. This is the Straum Jan Mayen Frozen Metal Titanium which introduces the brand’s first titanium bracelet — and builds on an already striking proposition.
Straum watches stand out first for a couple features: deeply textured dials and an all-in commitment to the integrated-bracelet sport-watch concept. Want traditional lugs? Look elsewhere. Thus, bracelets are naturally key to its collections. And although it’s got a range of steel models with bracelets and others with titanium cases, the latter has only been available with rubber straps. Until now.
The Straum Jan Mayen Frozen Metal Titanium introduces a titanium bracelet that precisely follows its design previously executed only in steel. And what watch enthusiast wouldn’t choose titanium nearly every time, all else being equal? We, at least, tend to skew towards titanium. This reference introduces it, but the bracelet fits every other titanium model in the Jan Mayen collection and is now a purchasing option with each. You can also buy it alone if you already have a watch for which you want the bracelet.
The bracelet is a notable step in the young (2020) brand’s development, but that’s not all you should know about this model. The Jan Mayen is Staum’s only current collection, though it comes in a range of sub-lines and various executions. The differences often boil down to case material and dial execution, and the approach to dials in particular is a brand signature. You’ve got to respect a company that hits on something good and digs in to focus on just doing it well. The approach harkens to traditional watchmaking ideals we admire, but fans might also look forward to the brand expand on its themes.
In addition to its new full-titanium offering, the Frozen Metal introduces a couple other features. First is the particular dial execution in question. Like past models, it’s a pattern that emanates from the center with a texture that looks like wind-swept snow (or spackle, if you’re feeling less poetic). It’s genuinely a captivating look, and the cooler part is that it fades toward the dial’s edges to a smooth but granular finish a bit like frost forming on glass. All this is achieved by a galvanic treatment to a bare metal surface coated to prevent oxidation. It’s pretty unique, and reminiscent of what you’d likely pay significantly more for from, say, Grand Seiko.
The other feature of note is the electric blue finish outlining the hands and indices. It’s a PVD coating which the brand calls “Frostbite Blue” (doesn’t that sound refreshing?) which is polished to catch some light. According to Straum, “The process is extremely complex due to the painstaking component finishing, specialist tooling, and precise chemical composition of the coatings used to ensure absolute uniformity.”
In terms of other specs and features, it’s consistent with the existing Jan Mayen collection — and this is lowkey one of the brand’s strengths: excellent sizing and proportions with an otherwise minimalist design leaving room for highly wearable dial creativity. A diameter of 37.8mm and thickness of 9.7mm (11.5mm with the crystal) are moderate dimensions that speak for themselves. Inside is a La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement with 68 hours of power reserve, and the case is water resistant to an outdoor-friendly 100m.
The Jan Mayen Frozen Metal Titanium on a bracelet will run you a cool $2,950. Although the titanium bracelet alone can be purchased for $900, you can get it as an option with any titanium Straum Jan Mayen watch for only an additional $350. It’s available now directly from the brand online. You’ll be able to learn more about Straum and this model with hands-on photos in the upcoming issue of WatchTime’s print magazine as the topic of our MicroTime column.
Learn more now on Straum’s website, here.
