The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force For Only Watch 2021

Only Watch is a biennial charity auction of luxury timepieces made by some of the finest watchmakers for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. This unique initiative is also a momentous event seeing strong interest from watch enthusiasts for the creations presented for the occasion. For Only Watch 2021, 53 lots will be auctioned in collaboration with Christie’s on November 6th. Among these, and for their fifth consecutive participation in the fundraiser, Armin Strom donated a very special version of their Gravity Equal Force.

Presented in 2019, the Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force is the result of the indie watchmaking brand’s research for precision. It is an answer to one of the weaknesses in mechanical watches: the irregular driving force supplied to their regulating organ. Strong torque is provided when the barrel’s mainspring is fully wound, then it slowly wanes throughout the power reserve duration. Among other sophistications, the Gravity Equal Force features an innovative barrel construction. It integrates a stop-work mechanism that has been adapted to the specificities of an automatic movement. Only nine turns of the barrel are used out of a possible 12 and a half. At 72 hours, the power reserve is still comfortable. But using only the optimal range of the mainspring aims at ensuring a more stable delivery of torque to the regulating organ, hence a more precise rate over time.

Modern yet traditionally elegant, the Gravity Equal Force comes in a 41mm round case; in the characteristic Armin Strom style, the watch unveils the intricacies of its mechanical movement. The calibre ASB19 is based on a geometric architecture with three parallel bridges under which the barrel creates a counterpoint to the dial-side micro-rotor. The left-hand side of the movement is dedicated to the time display. For more information about this complex watch, take a look at our in-depth video here.

The Gravity Equal Force unique piece donated for Only Watch 2021 features several tweaks. The movement’s mainplate features a black finish and a hand-guilloché pattern performed by one of the most respected and talented craftsmen in the industry: Kari Voutilainen. A first for the brand, the off-centred dial is fashioned out of grey-tinted sapphire crystal offering a cool view of the mechanism. It is paired with orange hands (the official colour of the 9^th edition of Only watch). Last and not least, the three distinctive straight parallel bridges and the balance bridge at the back of the watch are also orange-coated.

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. The estimate is CHF 16,900 – CHF 25,000. and as always, we somehow hope it will do much better than this.

For more information, please visit www.arminstrom.com.

Created in 2005, Only Watch is a biennial fundraiser for research on muscular dystrophy – Association Monégasque Contre les Myopathies (AMM). Organised under the patronage of HSH Albert II de Monaco, the watches of the 9th edition will be auctioned by Christie’s on Saturday, 6 November 2021. More details at www.onlywatch.com.