Norwegian based brand Straum has a strong track record when it comes to interesting dials, be it in color or in texture. Sometimes both. The designs are geared towards ‘adventurers and explorers’ but that doesn’t have to mean boring at all costs. Straum isn’t shy about taking inspiration from their surroundings, from the Borealis, to the frozen landscapes of the Norwegian Sea and its sparse inhabitants. Of course, at their core these are watches meant to hold up to the very same environments.
The newest member of the Jan Mayen core collection is the Frozen Metal Titanium, a watch that pairs a frosty white dial with blue accents with a grade 5 titanium case that’s also available with a full titanium bracelet. It’s a watch of striking contrasts, but there’s plenty of finer details to enjoy upon closer inspection. That begins with the dial, which is inspired by fields of ice, and requires a new manufacturing process for its creation. The base of the dial is galvanically coated in silver, after which the edges are ‘frosted’ (insert bad ‘90s flashback here). The effect is a dynamic miniature frozen landscape accented by ‘Frostbite Blue’ at the hands and hour markers.
The texture itself feels highly fractured in nature, and represents the brand’s most complex dial to date. This is set within a 38.7mm grade 5 titanium case that houses a La Joux-Perret G101 automatic movement. It’s a great platform that wears exceptionally well thanks to the integrated design and 11.5mm total thickness, which includes a domed crystal (9.7mm without). The full case width including the crown is just north of 40mm, and paired with titanium, these dimensions lead to a watch that’s very easy to get along with.
A variety of FKM rubber strap options are available as standard with this watch, though the full titanium bracelet will be a vital part of the experience as a whole. The H-Link design is fully bead blasted for a uniform texture, with small polished chamfers at the edge of the connecting links creating contrast. The frozen theme carries throughout the design, and while it’s not a wholly new experience from the brand, it’s a stepped evolution that continues to explore the boundaries of the Jan Mayen.
The Frozen Metal Titanium is a part of the core Jan Mayen collection, and will not be limited in production. Pricing starts at $2,600 on an FKM rubber strap of any color, and rises to $2,950 on the titanium bracelet, which can also be purchased separately. Straum
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