In-Depth - The New Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Fully Explained

roadwarrior

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power reserve of 72 hours and a micro-rotor

Jan 20, 2020

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Monochrome Watches

Armin Strom is among these independent watchmakers that not all watch lovers know... But clearly, they should! Armin Strom is doing great things. In 2016, they re-invented the resonance concept with the Mirror Resonance watch and its two balances connected by a spring to accentuate the effect of resonance on the movement. Last year, in 2019, to celebrate their 10th anniversary, the brand launched another masterpiece, combining two impressive complications, the Minute Repeater Resonance.

Now, to demonstrate the brand's ability to create complex but not necessarily inaccessible watches, Armin Strom is launching a new entry-level collection named "System 78". The first model in this sub-collection is the Gravity Equal Force and it really is an interesting watch and mechanical development.

Besides the looks that remind of an ultra-modernized pocket watch, with Armin Strom's usual entirely open-worked architecture - a signature element of all the brand's timepieces - there are multiple innovations on the movement side, such as a de-clutch stop-work and motor barrel. All of this to ensure a very stable flow of energy to the escapement and accuracy during the entire duration of the power reserve.

In our latest in-depth video, we'll be talking to Claude Greisler who will explain all the technical and visual details behind this new and fascinating Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force.


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This watch takes the traditional mainspring barrel and turns it on its head by adding a stop-work declutch mechanism combined with automatic winding to create consistent power delivery to the balance. With a bold redesign of the movement, dial and case, Gravity Equal Force marks the launch of the new System 78 Collection, highlighting innovative watchmaking at a competitive price.

As a guiding principle, every watch that comes from the Armin Strom manufacture must include an innovation. The inspiration behind Gravity Equal Force was a desire to transmit equal force to the balance, thereby increasing the consistency of rate. Building upon the classic stop-works mechanism, Armin Strom developed an ingenious stop-works declutch system that operates inside the mainspring barrel to limit the torque delivered to the balance, providing smooth power delivery. This represents the first time a stop-works declutch mechanism has been added to an automatic winding movement.

Not content with one innovation, Armin Strom found insight in a pocket watch in need of repair from a U.S. collector, which contained a motor barrel design showing clear advantages over the standard going barrel. Inspired, the watchmakers designed a barrel operating in the reverse of a traditional mainspring barrel by driving the going train via the barrel arbor and winding the barrel housing, which both improves functionality and reduces wear.

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 bears a power reserve indicator on the barrel cover for reference.

With numerous small improvements to the going train and winding mechanism, the new Caliber ASB19 demonstrates Armin Strom’s commitment to continually questioning established theory and using in-house R&D to advance horological technology. Claude Greisler, co-founder of Armin Strom, highlights the improved usability: “We have reinvented the whole functionality of an automatic watch movement to bring another level of precision and to offer our collectors more assurance for reliable daily wear.”

The new Gravity Equal Force also differs from previous models with a new off-center dial and slimmer case with a smaller diameter. The highlight of the watch is now the triplet of bridges echoing the pocket watch inspiration behind the ASB19. The 41-millimeter case, a first for Armin Strom, should appeal to the more classically-inclined collector. The contemporary dimensions maintain the essence of Armin Strom DNA while shaping a new aesthetic that showcases a reduction to the essential. Moving to an off-center dial, the Gravity Equal Force is more legible to maximize the user experience for discerning collectors.

The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force is the first model of the new System 78 Collection. It features a stainless steel case and is priced at CHF 16,900.

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Wish I could and an impressive offering and a creative way to equalize the top and low end torque created by mechanism.
 
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