Straum is introducing a new collection this week dubbed the Expedition, and it leans into many of the themes already established by the brand, but dials everything up to 11. The core integrated structure remains, with a fully bead blasted grade 5 titanium case and H-link bracelet providing a strong visual and ergonomic foundation. What sets this collection apart is the new bezel and dial design, which take a far more direct approach to their purpose, ditching any environmental texture inspiration along the way. The result is a striking design that looks befitting of the ‘Expedition’ name with a stat sheet to back it up.
Long time readers will recall Øystein Helle Husby, the co-founder of Straum watches, joining the podcast in episode 84 to discuss an expedition to Svalbard to Jan Mayen island to put their watch of the same name through its paces. From the discussion, it was quite clear that this is a brand that walks the walk, marching headfirst into challenges to use their watches in the environments for which they were created. With this in mind, watches like the Expedition take on a more grounded context rather than merely another ‘tough guy tool watch’ being thrown into the mix. It’s a young brand, but the roots are there.
The real draw with the Expedition is the bezel and dial, which take on a new form for the brand. The bezel is pinched to create a rounded concave shape that builds up to the crystal, eschewing the broad, flat design of the Jan Mayen. This move alone creates a more visually complex setting, separating itself from the existing design language of the brand. Additionally, it feels more purposeful, and whether or not it acts as a protective buffer for the dial, it does a good job of building some visual drama all the same.
The dial is being presented in a trio of colorways: titanium grey, midnight blue, and lume white. Each host oversized, highly legible hour markers, including Arabic numerals at the cardinal positions. The chapter ring extends into the rehaut, making use of all the available real estate. The hands are diamond cut and PVD coated (save for the midnight blue), creating a clear and natural contrast. There’s a lot happening at a glance, including a 24 hour scale on the inner portion of the dial, but the strong hands and hour markers cut through anything that could be perceived as noise.
As we’ve come to expect from Straum, the ergonomics are excellent, with a bezel diameter of 38.2mm and a total tip to tip length of 45.7mm. An automatic LJP G100 at work inside allows for a total thickness of 11mm, including the crystal. In addition to the titanium bracelet model priced at $3,100, a rubber FKM strap is also on offer for $2,750. It’s a robust package both physically and aesthetically, and while the white lume and titanium grey are permanent to the collection, the midnight blue is limited to 200 pieces. Straum
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