System 78 Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Purple

Purple rain

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 recognizable 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.

A key innovation, exclusive to the first set of System 78 watches, is the very first implementation of a “stop-work” declutch mechanism to be deployed in combination with an automatic movement. Typically seen only in haute-horology timepieces that are orders of magnitude more expensive, a “stop work” mechanism offers the benefit of more consistent energy transmission. To fully understand the benefit of this mechanism, one must first understand why an ordinary watch will not run at a consistent rate throughout the duration of its power reserve. The problem begins with the mainspring that inhabits every mechanical timepiece. A mainspring is a tightly coiled metal ribbon that resides inside of a watch’s barrel to deliver force to the movement. However, the force that a mainspring will deliver in an ordinary watch as it unwinds can never be delivered consistently, because the force provided will necessarily be higher when fully wound than it will be towards the end of its power reserve. To address this, Armin Strom implemented a “stop work” mechanism in the Gravity Equal Force that limits the mainspring from fully unwinding and thereby leverages only that part of the mainspring’s unwinding process which can deliver power most consistently.

Specifications

Distinctions

• Stop-Work declutch mechanism and Equal Force Barrel

Movement

• Winding-mechanism: Automatic with micro rotor turning on dial side
• Regulating system: Screwed balance with steel spiral
• Frequency: 25.200 vph / 3,5 Hz
• Number of jewels: 28
• Power reserve: 72 hours

Case

• Stainless steel
• Sapphire crystal and case back with anti-reflective treatment
• Diameter: 41.00 mm
• Height: 12.65 mm
• Lug-to-Lug: 48.09 mm
• Water-resistance: 30 m

Dial

• Guilloché mainplate crafted by Artist-Watchmaker Kari Voutilainen
• Offset with running seconds subdial
  

Hands

• Steel with hand finishing and Super-LumiNova® filling

Strap

• Delivered with a grey nubuck leather strap with contrasting purple stitching
• Width lugs/buckle: 20/18 mm

Buckle

• Folding clasp in stainless steel