Shopping Cart

Armin strom sets the tone in the realm of transparent mechanics with the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Purple

MAY 06 2024    |    Novelties

Armin Strom fuses masterful mechanics with a bold chromatic twist, unveiling its latest Ultimate Sapphire Edition. The iconic Gravity Equal Force now sports a striking purple guilloché-engraved mainplate by Kari Voutilainen. 

Armin Strom’s System 78 collection represents the independent manufacture’s purest expression of innovative haute horlogerie. Within it, the classical codes of watchmaking are revisited to bring about new functions and solutions, while also expressing the brand’s unique aesthetic sensibilities. With an emphasis on transparency, as well as highlighting kinetic elements, the Gravity Equal Force stands out as a technical tour-de-force with an instantly recognisable look – outstanding in form and function, finished by meticulous hand decoration. Now, with the new ‘Purple’ Ultimate Sapphire Edition, Armin Strom is doubling down on integrating vibrant chromatic hues with exceptional mechanics.

Let it reign: Gravity Equal Force Purple

At once regal and electric, the latest edition of the Gravity Equal Force features a colour Armin Strom has never used before. Its base plate boasts a guilloché engraved motif with a barley grain pattern, expertly handcrafted in the atelier of acclaimed independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen using a traditional rose engine lathe. The striking purple colour is applied using a 3D PVD process, which reflects a wide spectrum of tones as it shifts with the light. Making this edition even more outstanding, the small off-centred dial is crafted from transparent sapphire crystal, which is reserved exclusively for the Gravity Equal Force’s Ultimate Sapphire Editions. The crowning glory is a light grey nubuck leather strap with purple stitching and keepers. The Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Purple is limited to a run of 25 pieces per year.

 

Automatic: redefined

The Gravity Equal Force stands out as the first automatic watch endowed with an equal force transmission integrated directly in the mainspring barrel - a patented mechanism by Armin Strom. It provides consistent power transmission to the regulating organ, ensuring unwavering precision throughout the watch’s autonomy. The power reserve indicator forms part of the barrel, which is entirely visible from the dial side, opposite the micro-rotor with a unique click system featuring two springs for better winding efficiency.

Also this latest creation, part of Armin Strom’s perpetual quest for superior chronometric performance, was entirely developed, manufactured and decorated within the walls of the Bienne-based manufacturing site. Like all Armin Strom watches, the Gravity Equal Force Purple’s movement is assembled a first time to ensure it is in perfect working order and that it meets the brand’s exacting decorative standards, then taken apart and assembled a second time when it is ready to be cased in its final form. 

 

Putting the ‘haute’ in ‘horlogerie’

What separates a mere tool from a work of art is craftsmanship. Like a canvas for artistic expression, superlative hand-finishing applied by specialised watchmakers and seasoned artisans can be appreciated throughout the Gravity Equal Force and its many proudly exposed layers and components. Polished bevels (anglage) on the bridges, black polished screws, polished countersinks, perlage and various types of graining, be it straight or circular, as well as Geneva stripes on the three-quarter bridge visible through the case’s back.

One of the Gravity Equal Force’s most distinctive elements is the triplet of dark grey ruthenium-plated bridges that occupy the right-hand portion of the open display. Inspired by the finger-style bridges found in pocket watches, it takes up to an entire day for these bridges to be embellished by hand. First, the undersides are given a matt finish, after which the sides are given a straight-graining finish by carefully sliding them on an abrasive paper to produce continuous, shimmering fine lines. Then, the inner and outer chamfers of the bridges are bevelled with increasingly fine files and then finished with a flash polish using locally sourced gentian wood to remove even the finest lines. Finally, a straight-graining finish is applied to the top side for ultimate radiance.

Armin Strom : 15 years in the science of movement

In 2008, longtime friends and partners Serge Michel and Claude Greisler took the reins at Armin Strom and founded its very own manufacture in the watchmaking town of Biel in 2009. Just one year later, the duo presented their very first watch with a movement designed and manufactured in-house. Over the following years, Armin Strom would become a truly integrated and self-sufficient manufacture, creating 17 exclusive calibres and developing several world firsts in the domain of watchmaking. In 2016, it introduced the Mirrored Force Resonance, a game-changing resonating dual regulator developed for maximum chronometric precision with a captivating oscillation mechanism on the dial-side of the watch. In 2019, Armin Strom reinvented the automatic watch movement with the Gravity Equal Force, the first automatic watch to feature an equal force transmission mechanism within the barrel that had previously been found only in pocket watches. Today, Armin Strom stands out as a leading force of creative, independent watchmaking, with its own distinct design language and exceptional attention to detail highlighted by hand-finishing all its creations. 2024 promises to be a year full of surprises, and the best is yet to come…

 

Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Purple

Technical specifications

                   

Indications     Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator
Movement     Armin Strom manufacture Caliber ASB19
      Automatic winding with micro rotor, Geneva-drive equal force barrel, offset display with subdial seconds
Main plate   purple PVD plate with guilloché pattern by Kari Voutilainen
Regulating system   Balance wheel with 4 regulating screws
Power reserve   Geneva stop-work limited to 72 hours
Dimensions   35.52 mm x 11.67 mm
Frequency   3,5 Hz (25,200 vph)
Finishing   Hand-finishing to the highest quality level
Jewels   28
Number of components   202
Case   stainless steel
    Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment
Diameter   41 mm
Height   12.65 mm
Water resistance   3ATM
Lug-to-Lug   48.09 mm
     

Dial

 

Grey toned off-center sapphire dial with subdial

Hands  

Faceted polished hands and Super-LumiNova® filling

Strap   Delivered with a grey nubuck leather strap with purple stitching and keepers
Width lugs/buckle   20/18 mm
Buckle   Pin buckle or folding clasp available in stainless
Reference   ST24-GEF.SA.AC.M.A7.FC
Limited production   25 pieces per year

 

 

                                           

                                            

 


Related Articles

JULY 04 2025    |    Novelties

Moritz Grossmann GMT Guilloche Limited Edition Dual Time Zone Watch with Hand-Guilloché Dial

The Moritz Grossmann GMT Guilloche is a celebration of global exploration and fine German watchmaking. Inspired by the colors of nature and the rhythm of travel, this dual time zone watch is available in two striking dial variants: matte green, evoking serene meadows and hidden coves, and vibrant orange, reminiscent of the glow of a setting sun.

Dual Time Functionality

Designed for the modern traveler, the GMT Guilloche features a 24-hour time zone ring encircling the dial. A distinctive arrow-shaped hand tracks a second time zone, offering intuitive day-night orientation. Local time is displayed via central hour and minute hands, with a small seconds subdial at 6 o’clock. A dedicated crown at 10 o’clock allows seamless adjustment of the second time zone without affecting the main time.

Masterful Craftsmanship

Each dial is hand-engraved using the traditional guilloché technique, creating intricate geometric patterns that shimmer with light. The green dial is paired with blued steel hands, while the orange dial features polished steel hands—both handcrafted in Glashütte.

Engineered for Precision

Inside the watch beats the calibre 100.8, a manually wound movement crafted in-house and regulated in five positions. It features 253 components, 26 jewels, and signature Grossmann innovations including the 2/3 plate with raised gold chatons, cantilevered balance cock with micrometer screw, and a separately removable winding mechanism. The second time zone mechanism is seamlessly integrated on the dial side, ensuring precision and harmony.

Limited Edition

Encased in stainless steel and fitted with a hand-stitched black alligator leather strap, each GMT Guilloche model is strictly limited to 8 pieces worldwide, making it a rare collector’s item.

Discover the Art of Glashütte

Moritz Grossmann continues to honor its founder’s legacy by blending traditional craftsmanship with modern innovation. The GMT Guilloche is a wearable work of art—an invitation to wear the world on your wrist.

 

View Watch Gallery
Image 1 Image 2Image 3 Image 4
View More
JUNE 09 2026    |    Novelties

Frozen Elegance: Chronoswiss Unveils the Limited-Edition Delphis Glacier

Chronoswiss is proud to unveil the Delphis Glacier, a sophisticated interpretation of eternal ice and glacial beauty. Crafted in lightweight titanium and paired with a sleek black rubber strap, this latest addition to the Delphis family merges understated elegance with the bold mechanical spirit of Chronoswiss. Frozen landscapes meet modern horology. The Delphis Glacier is housed in a 42mm Grade 5 titanium case, whose natural metallic finish reflects the quiet strength and purity of alpine glaciers. Combined with the black rubber strap, the watch achieves a refined and contemporary presence on the wrist, evoking the calm majesty of ice formations shaped over centuries by nature itself.

Mechanical Cool
At the heart of the Delphis Glacier lies an upper dial that creates the stage for the retrograde minute and jumping hour complication. The crescent is silver galvanic and features a curved hand-guillochéd surface inspired by the delicate textures of glacial ice and frozen landscapes. The subdial, a curved UFO, holds the small seconds and is finished with a blue CVD-coating with hand-guilloché craftsmanship executed inside the Atelier Lucerne. The monochromatic interplay of textures and tones creates a sophisticated composition that feels both timeless and unmistakably modern.

The Soul of Precision
The Delphis Glacier is powered by the manufacture movement C.6004, a testament to Chronoswiss dedication to precision and innovation. Beyond its visual elegance, the movement ensures outstanding functionality and reliability, transforming the Delphis Glacier into a mechanical sculpture inspired by the silent power of nature. Every detail reflects the serene beauty and resilience of Swiss glaciers. As an homage to the enduring beauty and the purity of ice, the Delphis Glacier is produced in a limited edition of only 50 pieces, making it a rare companion for collectors seeking refined modern mechanics. Discover the silence. Embrace the glacier.

 

View Watch Gallery
Chronoswiss Delphis Glacier

Chronoswiss Delphis Glacier

Chronoswiss Delphis Glacier

Chronoswiss Delphis Glacier
View More
MARCH 25 2026    |    Novelties

SÄNTIS BY STREHLER - The world on your wrist

Three years ago, independent watchmaker Andreas Strehler launched his new brand, Strehler, to present his philosophy and craftsmanship in a more accessible form. The first model, Sirna, was designed as an essential time‑only watch that distilled his precision, expertise, and uncompromising finishing. The second model, Säntis, takes the brand naturally into the realm of complications. Like Sirna, which was named after the town Sirnach, Säntis draws its name from the mountain near Strehler’s workshop, the highest peak of the Appenzell Alps.

World Time Concept & Crown Operation
Responding to a collector’s request and inspired by his earlier Sauterelle Heure Mondiale, Strehler created a world time watch that remains elegant, intuitive, and deeply personal. Säntis uses a Cottier‑style world time display operated entirely by a single three‑position crown—preserving design purity and simplicity. The 40 mm medical‑grade stainless‑steel case blends refinement with ergonomics and stays below 10 mm thick even with the added mechanism.

Titanium Dial & Time Zone Display
The titanium dial features a sculptural three‑dimensional texture, individually machined, engraved, and hand‑polished. Its pattern is adapted from a design created with Eric Giroud for Sirna. Surrounding it, the 24‑hour ring marks day and night and rotates once per day, aligning with a fixed city ring listing 24 time zones. Central European Time is indicated by “Strehler” rather than a city, and DST‑observing cities are marked with a sun symbol. Both the city disc and 24‑hour disc use luminous printing, with additional luminous dots along the minute track.

Colour Options, Hands & Movement
The titanium dial features a sculptural three‑dimensional texture, individually machined, engraved, and hand‑polished. Its pattern is adapted from a design created with Eric Giroud for Sirna. Surrounding it, the 24‑hour ring marks day and night and rotates once per day, aligning with a fixed city ring listing 24 time zones. Central European Time is indicated by “Strehler” rather than a city, and DST‑observing cities are marked with a sun symbol. Both the city disc and 24‑hour disc use luminous printing, with additional luminous dots along the minute track.

Strap, Presentation & Limited Production
The Säntis comes with a subtly grained brown calfskin strap with contrasting off‑white stitching, and other colours are available upon request. Its steel pin buckle is crafted in‑house, echoing the case’s lines. The watch is delivered in a beechwood box with a cognac leather travel pouch. While not limited, production is naturally restricted due to the fully in‑house manufacturing of cases, dials, hands, and movements, resulting in only 30–50 watches per year shared between Sirna and Säntis.

View Watch Gallery  
  Image 1 Image 3  Image 4  Image 5    
View More
JUNE 29 2026    |    Novelties

Greubel Forsey Introduces the Balancier QM: A New Pinnacle of Haute Horlogerie

Independent manufacture Greubel Forsey has unveiled the Balancier QM ($GF09cm$), marking a historic milestone for the workshop by officially naming its highest, most uncompromising hand-finishing standard: Qualité Musée (Museum Quality). While this meticulous level of execution has been quietly embedded into every single timepiece crafted by the Atelier since its founding in 2004, the Balancier QM is the first model to formally carry the designation. Driven forward by a dedicated research wing within the brand’s proprietary EWT (Experimental Watch Technology) Laboratory, this standard mandates that every individual component, whether fully visible through the sapphire crystals or buried deep within the gear train, must hold up as a standalone work of art.

The mechanical architecture of the Balancier QM is a tour de force of in-house micro-engineering and innovation. Most notably, the timepiece features a specialized hairspring manufactured entirely in-house from the raw alloy stage up—a rarity in modern watchmaking accomplished via restored antique machinery. This is paired with an impressive $12.60\text{ mm}$ variable-inertia balance wheel and a cutting-edge bi-level escapement system that utilizes unique convex pallet-jewels, allowing light to softly diffuse through the rubies rather than abruptly reflecting off flat surfaces. Illustrating the immense labor required for the Qualité Musée standard, the steel balance wheel bridge alone requires seven distinct hand-finishing techniques, ranging from flawless mirror barrel polishing to extra-large $0.40\text{ mm}$ hand-polished bevels.

Visually, the timepiece presents an intricately layered, three-dimensional landscape neatly organized within a highly compact 39.60mm white gold case. The movement architecture encourages deep visual exploration; the escapement is nestled into the lowermost depths of the chassis, while the eye naturally ascends past a high-set small seconds sub-dial, flame-blued polished steel hands, and a raised chapter ring. Beneath this upper track, a power-reserve indicator slips mysteriously across a dedicated sector to track the watch's 72-hour chronometric power delivery, sustained by two fast-rotating, series-coupled mainspring barrels. True to Greubel Forsey’s signature underplayed luxury, the words "Qualité Musée" are entirely absent from the dial, hidden instead on a secret internal plate deep inside the movement.

Limited to just 33 exclusive timepieces worldwide, the Balancier QM represents a deliberate strategic pivot for Greubel Forsey toward smaller, more wearable case dimensions without sacrificing an ounce of technical complexity. The manufacture openly acknowledges that achieving this level of structural perfection across all 298 movement parts demands an extraordinary expenditure of time, which will intentionally reduce the company's overall production volume heading into 2027. Looking ahead, the Qualité Musée standard will serve as the foundation for a series of compact releases, including a highly anticipated movement under development at the EWT lab featuring a gear train crafted entirely from solid gold.

 

View Watch Gallery  
Image 1  Image 2 Image 3  Image 4
View More
ENDLESS DISCOVERY IN YOUR INBOX
Join our mailing list to receive insider updates on our latest collections, invites to private events, and other personalized offerings.