Armin Strom releases a new variation of their Gravity Equal Force collection. Dubbed the Ultimate Sapphire Blue, which features a textured, glacial blue guilloché main plate crafted by independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen.
Press Release information with commentary in italics.
The Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue will retail at CHF 27,500. Limited to 25 pieces a year.
Commentary
Armin Storm Gravity Equal Force has embraced the spirit of summer with a new glacial blue colourway. The apart from the colour, the watch is exactly the same as the Sapphire Purple and the SHH Edition.
Just like all Armin Strom, the movement is beautifully decorated by hand. The main plate that’s done by Kari Voutilainen is finished using the traditional technique of a hand-driven rose engine lathe, resulting in an intricate and precise guilloché pattern. Other finishing elements, such as the perlage and Geneva stripes, are also meticulously executed by hand, demanding absolute focus and expertise from Armin Strom’s seasoned watchmakers.
Beyond the remarkable finishing, one of the standout features remains the in-house micro-rotor movement. The engineering challenge of designing a compact yet efficient rotor capable of delivering sufficient torque to wind the mainspring is no small feat. Here, Armin Strom uses tungsten a particularly dense metal (Tungsten: 19.3 g/cm³ vs. Steel: ~7.8 g/cm³) to maximize kinetic energy and ensure effective winding.
Enhancing the movement further is Armin Strom’s patented “stop-work” mechanism, which regulates the mainspring’s power delivery. This ensures a constant force is maintained throughout the power reserve, contributing to superior timekeeping consistency.
Release information
With the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue, we bring the best of Switzerland to your wrist: Timekeeping, Precision and Breathtaking Landscapes
(Sorry, we’re saving the cheese and chocolate for later.)
A new interpretation of Armin Strom’s signature timepiece, the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue, joins the System 78 collection with a cooler, glacial-toned aesthetic. This new edition highlights the transparency and depth of the collection’s distinctive architecture while introducing a refined palette of silvery greys and soft blue tones, evoking the tranquil clarity of Switzerland’s glacial lakes and alpine light.
A study of landscape and architecture
Housed in a 41 mm stainless steel case, the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue retains the defining features of the model, reimagined through a new chromatic lens. At its centre lies a richly textured, glacial blue guilloché main plate crafted by independent watchmaker Kari Voutilainen. The open dial—positioned asymmetrically on the left side—is made of transparent sapphire, revealing the silvery components below. The cooler colour palette continues throughout the movement, with the micro-rotor, equal-force barrel and finger bridges hand finished in rhodium to match the gear-train. These tones contrast cleanly with the transparent sapphire dial, while the blue nubuck leather strap ties the whole look together with a modern, streamlined finish.
Controlling torque with delivery on time
The watch is powered by Armin Strom’s proprietary Caliber ASB19, the first automatic movement to feature a stop-work declutch mechanism combined with a Geneva cross within the barrel. This patented system ensures that the force delivered to the balance remains constant throughout the 72-hour power reserve, greatly improving isochronism. The movement’s compact micro-rotor allows it to be wound efficiently while preserving a thin and elegant profile. Visible through the front and back sapphire crystals, the movement showcases a thoughtful integration of engineering and aesthetics—delivering consistent precision in a visually open design.
A Commitment to Hand-Finishing
Every component of the ASB19 is hand-finished in Armin Strom’s manufacture in Biel. The bridges are bevelled and polished by hand; screws are black polished. Traditional decoration techniques—such as perlage, Geneva stripes and circular graining—are applied with care, underscoring the brand’s belief that hand-finishing is integral to its identity. As with all Armin Strom creations, the Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue is assembled twice. This dual-build process ensures both technical reliability and aesthetic refinement, reinforcing the brand’s uncompromising standards of craftsmanship.
Limited Annual Production
The Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue is produced in a limited annual series of 25 pieces and is priced at CHF 27’500. It is part of Armin Strom’s System 78 Collection, a line dedicated to showcasing independent watchmaking through technical innovation, architectural design, and a commitment to traditional hand-finishing. The collection pays tribute to the birth year of co-founders Claude Greisler and Serge Michel, and to the values that continue to define the brand today.
Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue, Reference n°ST24-GEF.BLU
Movement: Armin Strom Manufacture Caliber ASB19
Indications: Hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve indicator
Winding mechanism: Automatic-winding with micro rotor
Functions: Patented equal force barrel, offset display with sub dial seconds
Regulating system: Balance wheel with 4 regulating screw
Main plate: Glacial blue PVD plate with guilloché pattern by Kari Voutilainen
Power reserve: Geneva stop-work limited to 72 hours
Dimensions: 35.52 mmx 11.67mm
Frequency: 3.5Hz (25,200 vibrations per hour)
Jewels: 28
Number of components: 202
Case: Stainless steel Sapphire crystal and caseback with anti-reflective treatment
Water resistance: 3 ATM
Diameter: 41mm
Height: 12.65mm
Lug-to-Lug: 48.09mm
Dial: Grey toned off-center sapphire crystal with subdial
Hands: Rhodium, facetted and polished with Super-LumiNova®filling
Strap: Blue nubuck leather strap with ice blue stitching and keepers Stainless steel folding clasp
Limited Edition: 25 pieces per year
Price: CHF27’500.-
