Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Purple

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

APRIL 01 2025 | Novelties

A Star Fragment, Guardian of Time: The Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite

Time and space converge in the latest masterpiece of haute horlogerie: the Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite. This extraordinary timepiece is crafted from a genuine meteorite fragment—once part of an asteroid’s core, drifting through space for billions of years before falling to Earth 50,000 years ago. Now, this celestial relic has been transformed into an exceptional watch, uniting cosmic heritage with unparalleled horological innovation.

At the heart of this timepiece lies a groundbreaking complication: the Eccentric Planetarium, the only mechanical Grand Planetary Complication in the world that accurately displays all eight planets—Mercury, Venus, Earth and her Moon, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune—moving in real time around the Sun. This breathtaking mechanism captures the celestial dance of our Solar System with unmatched precision, making it a true marvel of both astronomy and watchmaking.

A Celestial Fusion of Science and Art
Master watchmaker Pim Koeslag has meticulously sculpted this timepiece, ensuring that its construction reﬂects the grandeur of its cosmic origins. The meteorite case, weighing 47 grams, is carefully crafted out of a 1.09 kg space stone. This extraordinary material shaped by the universe itself, features a unique Widmanstätten pattern, formed over millions of years of slow cooling in space, making each case truly one of a kind.

The dial is a celestial spectacle in itself: crafted from aventurine glass (goldﬂuss), it mimics the night sky, complete with zodiac constellations. The Eccentric Planetarium features hand-painted planetary orbits, while the meteorite dial ring, set between Mars and Jupiter, signiﬁes the asteroid belt and contains real fragments of a martian nakhlite meteorite —a piece of another world encased within this exceptional timepiece.

A Timepiece Beyond Time
Encased in domed sapphire crystal, the 44mm meteorite case showcases the celestial ballet within. The sapphire crystal case-back reveals the movement’s intricate craftsmanship, while the dark blue hand-stitched leather strap and platinum folding clasp complete this cosmic masterpiece.

“The Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite is more than a watch. It is a link between humanity and the cosmos, a way to wear the universe on your wrist,” says Pim Koeslag.

This timepiece is a tribute to time itself. From a star’s death to an asteroid’s journey, from its fall to Earth to its transformation into an exceptional watch—each second it measures is an echo of the vast cosmic history it carries.

An Exclusive, Limited Edition for Collectors
The Grand Planetarium Eccentric Meteorite is available in a strictly limited edition, with a maximum of 3 pieces, depending on the avaibility and quality of the rough meteorite material. So far, Christiaan van der Klaauw has been able to produce only 2 pieces from the available material, making this timepiece an exceptionally rare collector’s item. This extraordinary creation offers the unique opportunity to own a fragment of a star, forever marking the passage of time.

About Christiaan van der Klaauw
Christiaan van der Klaauw is one of the most prestigious watchmaking houses in the Netherlands, specializing in astronomical watches. Founded in 1974, the brand has distinguished itself by its ability to integrate astronomical complications innovatively and artistically into high-precision timepieces. The Grand Planetarium eccentric model is one of its most iconic Grande Complication, representing the quintessence of art and science.

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MARCH 28 2025 | Watches and Wonders 2025

Armin Strom unveils the Dual Time GMT Resonance - Manufacture Edition Black

Manufacture Edition Black: a striking monochrome design that seamlessly blends dials and movement, encased in a 39mm stainless steel case and complemented by a glossy taupe alligator strap.

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MARCH 26 2024 | Watches and Wonders 2024

Longitude Titanium - High-sea watchmaking

Arnold & Son, a benchmark in classic fine watchmaking, is exploring uncharted territory on the map of horology. Longitude Titanium is a sports-chic COSC-certified chronometer with a 42.5 mm titanium case. The dial of Longitude Titanium is vertical satin-finished in a continuation of the bracelet’s finish, which is subtly intersected by the polished edges of its links. With a power-reserve display at 12 o’clock and an imposing seconds counter at 6 o’clock, Longitude Titanium pays tribute to John Arnold’s marine chronometers, his revolutionary vision and his decisive role in calculating longitude at sea.
The aesthetics and construction of John Arnold’s marine chronometers were necessarily classic and functional, and were adapted to the harsh conditions of the high seas. Longitude Titanium, a contemporary interpretation of the great English watchmaker’s work, coherently combines this naval heritage with a refined design and highly resistant materials. The movement’s ‘chronometer’ certification is an essential addition to this scene, with its historical ties to Arnold’s creations and his quest for accuracy.

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JULY 02 2025 | Novelties

Greubel Forsey Unveils the Final Balancier Contemporain in Stainless Steel - A Defining Final Edition

Greubel Forsey presents the final edition of the Balancier Contemporain, marking the definitive conclusion of this iconic calibre. This timepiece is housed in a 39.6mm stainless steel case – a material that has only been used twice before in the history of the Atelier. Limited to just 33 timepieces, this edition will be built and delivered exclusively in 2025. Once complete, the Balancier Contemporain calibre will be permanently retired and will never be made again.

More than a final edition, this stainless steel interpretation is a statement of purpose – it is the rarest and most exclusive case material in the Atelier’s repertoire. Its presence here is deliberate: to honour the legacy of the Balancier Contemporain with purity, restraint, and resolve.

Compact, Yet Monumental

When it was introduced, the Balancier Contemporain redefined expectations – delivering the full Greubel Forsey experience in just 39.6mm. This final edition preserves that feat of engineering and design. Under its high-domed sapphire crystal, the gold dial reveals a rich interplay of levels, textures, and finishes. A sunburst blue hour-ring frames the composition, while a deep blue minute-circle and sectorial indications for the small seconds and power reserve create both contrast and clarity. A large visual opening draws the eye to the in-house 12.6mm balance wheel, suspended above a flat, black-polished gold plate that provides visual depth and dramatic reflection.

The movement is composed of 256 parts, each hand-finished to the highest standard. The bridges are in nickel silver, frosted and spotted by hand, with perfectly polished bevels and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, and a subtle blue treatment unique to this edition. The balance wheel bridge is flat black polished steel – one of the most demanding finishes in haute horlogerie – with hand-polished bevels that reflect light beautifully. The balance wheel itself is mounted above a flat black-polished gold plate, a surface so refined it becomes both technical and architectural.

On the movement side, a black-polished gold plate is engraved in relief with the fundamental values of Greubel Forsey – invisible to the wearer, yet finished with the same uncompromising care. Olive-domed jewels are set in gold chatons, with hand-polished countersinks that catch the light at just the right angle. Every component, visible or not, is treated with the same reverence – as if each part could stand on its own as a miniature work of art.

A Closing Statement – and a New Beginning

This is the last timepiece to carry the Balancier Contemporain calibre – but it is also the first to signal a new direction. With this final edition, Greubel Forsey opens a new chapter focused on small-diameter timepieces. Over the coming years, this creative momentum will continue to build, exploring new dimensions of mechanical expression, proportion, and elegance – all without compromise.

The Balancier Contemporain in stainless steel is a definitive conclusion – and a confident beginning.

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NOVEMBER 19 2025 | Novelties

A Deeper Cut: Armin Strom One Week Skeleton Rose Gold

Armin Strom extends its golden era with the One Week Skeleton Rose Gold, a new interpretation of its architectural One Week design. This fully skeletonised masterpiece reveals the depths of its mechanics, paying tribute to Mr. Armin Strom’s pioneering artistry in skeletonisation—a craft at the heart of the brand’s philosophy and heritage.

For the first time, the in-house calibre appears in a solid 18K rose gold case, enriching the collection with a warmer character. Rose gold-coloured finger bridges, hands, and applied indexes mirror the tone of the case, while a sleek black textile strap provides a refined modern contrast. Measuring 41 mm in diameter, the case remains compact and ergonomic, while its skeletonised architecture gives the watch a distinctive presence—a harmonious balance of technical craftsmanship and precious metal elegance.

Seven Days of Precision
At its heart lies the hand-wound Calibre ARM21-S, a reinterpretation of Armin Strom’s first in-house calibre. Two mainspring barrels work in series to deliver a steady flow of energy for seven days, wound by two ratchet wheels visible on the dial side—a distinctive Armin Strom signature. Operating at 3.5 Hz, the calibre ensures consistent precision and stability in daily wear.

Inspired by historical pocket watches, the conical power reserve mechanism is complemented by a 3D power reserve indicator, displaying remaining energy with exceptional clarity. Central hours and minutes keep the display symmetrical, while a skeletonised small seconds at 9 o’clock adds an engaging sense of motion.

Transparency in Gold
Every component of the Calibre ARM21-S is decorated by hand, reflecting Armin Strom’s dedication to traditional craftsmanship. Hand-polished bevels, Geneva stripes, circular graining, and finely finished screw sinks demonstrate uncompromising attention to detail. Each One Week is assembled twice—a hallmark of the brand’s commitment to mechanical precision and aesthetic integrity.

Limited to just 50 pieces worldwide, the One Week Skeleton Rose Gold continues Armin Strom’s modern gold chapter—a celebration of mechanical transparency, precision, and craft.

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NOVEMBER 05 2024 | Novelties

A platinum bracelet for the most refined sporty timepiece

Featuring a platinum case and bracelet with an 18k white gold movement and dial, C by Romain Gauthier Platinum Edition Bracelet resonates with the most discerning collectors in the watchmaking world. Romain brings a touch of refinement to this timepiece with a sporty profile and assertive character, a combination of noble materials that reveals a traditional side to this very modern timepiece.

The C by Romain Gauthier Platinum Edition Bracelet stands out for its elegance and ultimate level of refinement, beyond the precious character that platinum brings, the bracelet design highlights the textures and finishing techniques that make this timepiece more luminous and prestigious.

In keeping with Romain's vision - The Evolution of Tradition - the bracelet requires a high level of craftsmanship and hand finishing. Each link is composed of high polished and satin brushed surfaces by hand, highlighting the interplay of light and reflecting the artistry and technical nature of the bracelet and the piece in general.

Conceived as an integral element of the whole timepiece, the bracelet was designed to be one with the case - “The bracelet is the case, and the case is the bracelet” says Romain. This desire is reflected in the fusion of these two elements that cannot be dissociated. Inspired by the finger bridges style, the design of the movement follows the watchmaking history of the Swiss Vallée de Joux, with a modern approach, reflecting Romain's vision of the evolution of tradition.

As a non-limited edition, the Platinum Edition Bracelet can be personalized and customized to reflect each collector’s personality and taste.

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MAY 16 2025 | Novelties

Chronoswiss presents the ReSec Snake: A Venomous Twist on Modern Mechanical

Known for bold evolutions of mechanical wristwatches and daring designs, Chronoswiss unveils its latest creature: the ReSec Snake. Slithering between heritage and rebellion, this timepiece is a hypnotic blend of color, contrast, and kinetic energy — proof that modern mechanical watchmaking still has a few fangs to bear.

The Snake’s Bite

The ReSec Snake coils into view within a 42mm titanium case, coated with a mesmerizing color-changing PVD-coating that shifts from emerald green to turquoise, depending on the light. It’s not just a case — it’s iridescent armor, capturing the reptilian allure of a serpent in motion. Paired with a contrasting white rubber strap, the Snake wraps around the wrist with smooth, tactile elegance.

But the true venom lies beneath the sapphire crystal. A green CVD-coated dial, hand-guillochéd in the Lucerne Atelier, pulses with depth and hypnotic texture. It’s a dial that doesn’t just tell time — it seduces it.

Take a closer look, and the architecture reveals itself: the iconic 3D regulator layout of the ReSec series slithers across the dial, framed by green hour and minute rings and a retrograde second display, like the flick of a serpent’s tongue. Underneath, the exposed gear train glimmers in contrasting tones — a mechanical exoskeleton that moves with silent precision.

Fangs Beneath the Surface

Powering this cold-blooded beauty is the Chronoswiss Manufacture Caliber C.6005, featuring a 55-hour power reserve, ruthenium-plated finishing, and a radial Côtes de Genève motif. It’s mechanical watchmaking at its sharpest: sleek, silent, and engineered to strike.

Limited. Lethal.

Only 100 pieces of the ReSec Snake will ever exist — a rare breed for collectors with a taste for the untamed. The ReSec Snake is a statement: of daring, of detail, and of defiance — proving once again that at Chronoswiss, we don’t follow rules. We shed them.