To mark the occasion of The Limited Edition’s fifth anniversary, The Limited Edition has teamed up with Armin Strom, with design contribution from friends at Convopiece and a dial by independent master Kari Voutilainen, to present this exclusive anniversary edition of the Gravity Equal Force wristwatch, specially created in two options, with five pieces in each variant which feature bespoke gold detailing and our own star motif engraved clearly but discretely located.
The Gravity Equal Force combines ground breaking horological innovation which reimagines not one but two classical watchmaking standards, with a visually striking contemporary design. As a contender for honours in the 2020 GPHG Chronometry category, and representing the incredible creativity to be discovered away from the mainstream brands, it is the perfect piece to commemorate these milestones for both companies.
Encased in a round 41mm case of stainless steel, these special editions of the Gravity Equal Force are personalised with black and gold colour schemes, with five numbered pieces featuring gold bridges and steel screws, while the other five have steel bridges and gold screws. The waist of the case and the lugs are finished in vertical brush graining, which contrasts with the polished bezel, and all are fitted with an 18ct gold crown.
Beneath a sapphire crystal glass, the hours, minutes and small seconds are displayed on a very special dial which is created exclusively for this edition by the Kari Voutilainen owned Comblémine manufactory. The black off-set dial which has skeletonised gold hands to complement the colour of the dial markings of arabic numerals and minutes track. Below the time display, the surface of the main dial is embellished with a beautiful wavy guilloché decoration in twelve sectors, in which a large cutaway section exposes the geometric architecture of the novel mechanism. The dial-side micro rotor is subtly engraved with The Limited Edition star motif, while the barrel slowly rotates as the energy is dispensed across the 72 hour power reserve, which is indicated through an opening in the cover. The trio of round-ended bridges contribute to the overall symmetry of the display.
Featuring the novel Armin Strom stop-work declutch system, which is coupled with a reversed motor barrel configuration, the Gravity Equal Force is a remarkable technical feat, which has been designed, developed and manufactured in house, to deliver the most consistent flow of torque across the barrel spring’s optimal range, while exerting the smoothest and most efficient interaction down through the gears and wheels.
This state of the art watchmaking is actually inspired by manual winding pocket watches of old, which would lose precision when the mainspring was fully wound, and also when it reached the end of its reserve. The declutch stop-work system within the Gravity Equal Force eliminates these two extremes, ensuring a constant force until it stops running as the force begins to wane, and this is the first time it has been used in a self winding mechanism.
On the underside, a sapphire caseback reveals the balance and escapement assembly, in which the balance oscillates at the unusual frequency of 3.5Hz or 25,200vib/hour, and the elegant bridge work, which have been left uncovered by the rear plates. Hand finished to the uncompromising standards of Haute Horlogerie. The surfaces and edges are decorated with beautiful Côtes de Genève striping, perlage and highly polished bevelling,
The pursuit of constant force in one way or another continues to be an obsession for many high end watch manufacturers, and when it is achieved, it is usually accompanied with an eye watering price tag, and that is what makes the Gravity Equal Force such a notable exception.
At £18,900 this is an exceptional piece of innovation, aesthetic beauty and meticulous craftsmanship, and in this exclusive configuration with The Limited Edition colour theme, one which exemplifies the sophisticated engineering of a magnificent in house designed and manufactured contemporary time piece, as well of course as the individuality of a hand crafted independent watch.
