While the summer is finally underway, many brands are trying to keep you feeling cool with new icy editions of their signature watches. Czapek just launched the Antarctique Frozen Meteor and now Straum are getting in on the cold theme too with the release of the Jan Mayen Frozen Metal Titanium. The timepiece introduces three brand firsts in the form of a new titanium bracelet, new frosted dial and new PVD coated hands and indices.
As part of the Jan Mayen titanium series, the Frozen Metal Titanium measures 38.7mm in diameter with a thickness of 11.5mm including the crystal. Those dimensions make it a well proportioned sports watch that blends in nicely with its integrated bracelet or rubber strap. Crucially, this is the first Jan Mayen titanium watch to be offered on a matching Grade 5 titanium bracelet.
That bracelet features an H-link structure with a combination of frosted and polished surfaces, which is possible thanks to the harder surface of Grade 5 titanium compared to Grade 2. It’s also fitted with Straum’s micro-adjustment clasp and quick release mechanism making it easy to adjust the fit or swap out entirely. An important note is that the bracelet is available separately and is fully compatible with the existing Jan Mayen Titanium range if you own one of the older models.
For the dial, Straum introduce a new textural finish. It’s produced through a frosted galvanic treatment, creating an icy appearance that radiates outwards from the centre of the display. For this first edition they’ve opted to present the finish in its most essential form by applying it to a plain dial disk rather than a coloured one.
To provide contrast to the silver and white of the dial, the Jan Mayen Frozen Metal Titanium is fitted with polished blue PVD coated hands and indices. This is the first time Straum have used PVD on these markers as it requires a high level of finesse and technical expertise to produce them with a high degree of consistency across their colour and finish. To tie in with the chilly theme of the watch, they are referred to as frostbite blue.
Inside is the same movement used throughout the Jan Mayen line, the La Joux-Perret G101 with 68-hour power reserve. This is the Soigné grade of the movement, meaning it has been adjusted in four positions to improve timekeeping reliability – it achieves a daily rate of +/- 7 seconds. The calibre is visible through the exhibition caseback with its Côtes de Genève finishing.
For pricing, the Straum Jan Mayen Frozen Metal Titanium is £1,980 on bracelet, £1,750 on rubber strap, excluding taxes. The individual titanium bracelet is priced at £610, also excluding taxes. That is a lot of money for a bracelet as it’s almost half the price of a second Jan Mayen, so if cost-efficiency matters to you, the Frozen Metal Titanium is the best way to get one at the moment. It’s available from today, although attendees of Hands On Horology in London were able to get a sneak peek two weeks ago when it was previewed at the event.
Price and Specs:
More details at Straum.
