The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force was launched at the end of 2019 as the first piece within the new System 78 collection. This timepiece marks the evolution of the brand with a new case design and a totally new calibre with a declutch mechanism combined with automatic winding to create consistent power delivery to the balance. With a bold redesign of the movement architecture, the signature off-centered dial, and the case, the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force seeks to highlight innovative watchmaking at a competitive price when it comes to independent horology. With a total production between 400 to 500 watches a year, Armin Strom’s manufacture is located in Biel, Switzerland.
Things to Know About the Watch
The inspiration for the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force comes from a pocket watch that contained a motor barrel design instead of a standard going barrel. By designing a barrel operating in the reverse order of a traditional mainspring barrel, and by driving the going train via the barrel arbor and winding the barrel housing, the functionality is improved and the wear reduced.
As far as aesthetics, the Gravity Equal Force shows a clear evolution in the typical Armin Strom case design. The first thing we notice is a smaller case in stainless steel with a diameter of 41 mm, a slimmer profile, and sharper angles at the lugs with chamfers to die for. The alternating satin-brushed finish against the highly polished surfaces show the prowess of Armin Strom when it comes to case finishing and design. Traditionally, Armin Strom watches have featured a bigger case measuring 43.4 mm in diameter and a lip on the bezel at 6 o’clock. Even though the Gravity Equal Force is only 2.4 mm smaller, the case appears way smaller than its actual size and the lip at 6 o’clock has almost been totally removed.
The Dial
As far as the dial, Armin Strom decided to maintain the off-centered look but turned the movement architecture into a visual spectacle on the dial side. The three bridges that come from the pocket watch inspiration take the center stage on the dial side of the Gravity Equal Force. Exquisitely finished with perfect anglage, these three bridges bring independent watchmaking to the fingertips of the wearer. The time is indicated on a black subdial with white transfers, superimposed running seconds, and skeletonized hands.
Underneath the top bridge, the micro-rotor winds the automatic movement, underneath the bottom bridge a Geneva wheel is mounted on the barrel housing cover. The rotation of the mainspring barrel is limited to just 9 full turns out of a possible 12.5. As the barrel housing unwinds around the arbor, a pin counts off the rotations on the Geneva wheel until it reaches the locked position and prevents further unwinding The Equal Force barrel bears a 72-hour power reserve indicator on its cover.
The Movement
Turning the watch over reveals the beating heart of the Gravity Equal Force. The new in-house automatic calibre Armin Strom ASB19 with micro-rotor demonstrates Armin Strom’s commitment to continually question established theory and use in-house R&D to advance horological technology. This state-of-the-art design creates a stable, low-friction axis of rotation for the mainspring to deliver power from the barrel arbor, supported by precision jewel bearings. Though using only a portion of the mainspring by preventing it from completely unwinding, Armin Strom still achieved a power reserve of 72 hours. Wound by a unidirectionally winding micro-rotor visible from the dial, the mainspring barrel bears a power reserve indicator on its cover.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force wears smaller than its actual size and more like a 40 mm watch on a 7.25” wrist. The watch is extremely nice and the three bridges orchestrate a decadent visual symphony. The watch is also available in 18K rose gold and in a wide variety of dial colors. This is a watch that shows the untiring spirit of Armin Strom in its constant quest for improvement. A stunner in the metal.
Sticker Price CHF16,900 Swiss Francs —approximately $17,000 USD. For more info on Armin Strom click here.
