The Center Shall Not Hold: Armin Strom Shifts the Dial Sideways with New Gravity Equal Force Model


Armin Strom’s Gravity Equal Force (Ref. RG19-GEF.85.AL.M.35) marks the launch of the independent watchmaker’s new System 78 Collection, its core principle of “always be innovative” and replacing the Single Barrel Collection. The new collection is intended as the entry point for the Armin Strom brand, with a more “reasonable” price point and a contemporary “triple-bridge” pocketwatch-influenced design.

Following up the success of its predecessor in stainless steel, the newest Gravity Equal Force edition is housed in an 18k rose gold case, trimmed down to 41 mm in diameter and 12.6 mm thick. Armin Strom’s hallmark “lip” is still located at 6 o’clock on the case, albeit a bit smaller. Protecting the case’s front and back are sapphire crystals; the case is water-resistant to 3 ATM (30 meters, or about 100 feet).

Aside from the slimmer case dimensions, the Gravity Equal Force is differentiated from previous models by its off-center dial design. The open-worked face presents the hours and minutes on a black, snailed subdial at 9 o’clock, with a smaller overlapping subdial for running seconds. Much of the rest of the front view is dominated by the “triplet” bridges, which support the visible barrel and micro-rotor, a layout echoing that of the antique pocket watch that inspired the Ref. ASB19. The dial’s rose gold, baton-shaped hands, manufactured and hand-finished by Armin Strom, are longer than those of the Single Barrel models.

The internal workings of the Gravity Equal Force are indeed innovative. Inside the watch’s traditional mainspring barrel is a stop-works declutch mechanism to limit the torque delivered to the balance wheel and the four regulating screws, which provide a “smooth power delivery.” Nonetheless, the Armin Strom team was not content and found additional inspiration in a pocketwatch from a U.S. collector, in which they discovered the advantages of a motor barrel design over a standard going barrel. Furthermore, the brand designed a barrel that could operate in the reverse of a traditional mainspring barrel by driving the going train via the barrel arbor and winding barrel. This update is intended to improve the functionality of the watch while also reducing wear.

Incorporating all these updates is the new manufacture Caliber ASB19, measures 35.52 mm in diameter with a height of 11.67 mm. The movement consists of 202 components, including 28 jewels, that have been hand-finished throughout. The movement can amass a power reserve of 72 hours and has a frequency of 3.5 Hz (25,200 vph). 

The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force is the first model in the new System 78 Collection and comes mounted on a black alligator leather strap with an 18k rose-gold ardillon buckle (with the option of a rose gold double-folding clasp) and is priced at CHF 26,900.

Manufacturer:Armin Strom
Model:Gravity Equal Force
Reference number:Ref. RG19-GEF.85.AL.M.35
Functions:Hours, minutes, seconds, power-reserve indicator, offset display with subdial seconds,
Movement:Armin Strom Caliber ASB19, automatic winding with micro rotor, Geneva-drive equal force barrel, balance wheel with four regulating screw, 28 jewels, 202 components, power reserve = 72 hours, frequency = 25,200 vph (3.5 Hz)
Case:18K Rose gold, sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment, water-resistant to 3 ATM (100 feet, approximately 30 meters)
Bracelet and clasp:Black alligator leather strap with an 18k rose gold ardillon buckle, with the option of a rose gold double-folding clasp
Dimensions:Case:
Diameter = 41 mm
Height = 12.65 mm

Movement:

Diameter = 35.52 mm
Height = 11.67 mm
Price:CHF 26,900

For more information on Armin Strom’s System 78 collection, follow this link.

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