Why Arima Exists

Arima started with two things we couldn't stop talking about—watches and the mountains.

The Mechanical Obsession

As Engineers foremost, the mechanical watch movement has always been fascinating. While the Big Fish caught our attention through marketing, we quickly realized their legacy was out of reach. We soon dove into the microbrand world, discovering passionate teams like Studio Underd0g, Baltic, and Lorier who reminded us that great watches can be born from obsession, not just heritage. We also deeply admired brands like Formex for their engineering innovation; their success showed us that precision and applied engineering are still the true soul of watchmaking.

Finding Quiet Strength in the Alps

The second half of our inspiration came from the Alps. Both of us found peace and strength there—in hiking trails, in crisp mountain air, and in the silence that humbles you. Nature in its raw form doesn't shout; it just stands tall, weathered and calm. That raw resilience is how we wanted our watches to feel—quiet strength, crafted with precision.

Somewhere between our love for kinetic movement and mountain stillness, the idea clicked: What if we built a mechanical watch that combined the ruggedness of the Alpine landscape with an engineer's obsession for detail?

The Arima Character and Core Philosophy

That's how Arima was born. The name (அரிமா / AH‑ree‑mah) means lion in classical Tamil ( as an ode to our common roots )—not the roaring kind, but the composed, lion-hearted calm that shows up when it matters.

Our design language mirrors this duality: Decagon geometry and sharp edges reflect the mountain's shape, while purposeful finishing ensures every detail is built for patience and strength. Arima isn't here to shout. It's here to stand—quietly, precisely, and proudly.