Only Watch is a charity auction of luxury watches created by the best watchmakers, held every two years to fund research into Duchenne muscular dystrophy. This unique initiative is also a landmark event, garnering great interest from watch enthusiasts in the pieces presented for the occasion. As part of Only Watch 2021, 53 lots will be auctioned in collaboration with Christie’s on November 6. Among them, for the fifth consecutive time, Armin Strom has contributed a special version of their Gravity Equal Force watch.
Introduced in 2019, the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force is the result of the independent watch brand's research into precision. It addresses one of the shortcomings of mechanical watches: the uneven driving force delivered to their regulating organ. A strong torque is provided when the mainspring is fully wound, then it slowly weakens over the entire duration of the power reserve.
Among other improvements, the Gravity Equal Force features an innovative barrel design. It includes a stop-work mechanism adapted to the characteristics of an automatic mechanism. Only nine turns of the barrel are used out of a possible twelve and a half. The 72-hour power reserve remains comfortable. However, using only the optimal range of the mainspring is aimed at ensuring a more stable transmission of torque to the regulating organ, thus achieving more accurate timekeeping over time.
The modern yet traditionally elegant Gravity Equal Force is housed in a round case with a diameter of 41 mm; in Armin Strom's signature style, the watch reveals the intricacies of its mechanical movement. The caliber ASB19 is based on a geometric architecture with three parallel bridges, under which lies the barrel, creating a counterpoint with the micro-rotor on the dial side. The left side of the movement is dedicated to the time indication.
The unique Gravity Equal Force piece gifted for Only Watch 2021 features several changes. The movement's mainplate has a black finish and a hand-applied guilloché pattern by one of the most respected and talented artisans in the industry: Kari Voutilainen. For the first time for the brand, the off-center dial is made of sapphire crystal with a grey tint, providing a cool view of the mechanism. It is complemented by orange hands (the official color of the 9th series of Only Watch). Finally, the three distinctive straight parallel bridges and balance bridge on the back of the watch also feature an orange coating.
The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Only Watch 2021 is presented in a steel case and comes on a black fabric strap with orange stitching. Estimated at CHF 16,900 – CHF 25,000. As always, we hope the watch will fetch a much higher price.
For more information, please visit www.arminstrom.com.
Created in 2005, Only Watch biennially raises funds for research into muscular dystrophy – Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies (AMM). The watches of the 9th edition, organized under the patronage of His Serene Highness Prince Albert II of Monaco, will be auctioned at Christie’s on Saturday, November 6, 2021. More information at www.onlywatch.com.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS – ARMIN STROM GRAVITY EQUAL FORCE FOR ONLY WATCH 2021
Case: diameter 41 mm x height 12.65 mm – stainless steel case, matte and polished – sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating – sapphire case back – water resistance up to 30 meters
Dial: off-center sapphire crystal dial with grey tint – hours, minutes, seconds – skeletonized hour and minute hands – finger bridges with orange coating
Movement: Caliber ASB19, in-house developed – automatic with micro-rotor and Geneva equal force drive – 35.52 mm x 11.67 mm – 25,200 vibrations per hour – 72-hour power reserve – 28 jewels – 202 components – indication of hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve – mainplate hand-guilloché by Kari Voutilainen
Strap: black fabric strap with orange stitching with steel folding clasp
Reference: AS/ID 19-0033
Availability: Unique piece for Only Watch 2021
Price: 16,900 – 25,000 Swiss Francs