Armin Strom | Label Noir
The new limited series of the Gravity Equal Force by Label Noir is an invitation to visit the dark side of the force. This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the Geneva-based customisation specialist and the Biel/Bienne-based watch brand.
Crafting this timepiece required the utmost dexterity. Encircled by a black hour dial and a precise minute track, the off-centre grey disc displays the hours and minutes hands. This space also incorporates a small seconds hand. The distinctive scenography provides all the surface area necessary to display the key elements of the movement without laying them bare. The gear-trains, barrel and micro-rotor are displayed and supported by stylised ebony-coloured parallel bridges. This unparalleled configuration endows the timepiece with a resolutely horological and atypical personality.
The customisation workshop is a master of sophisticated finishes. The Gravity Equal Force’s dial is the ideal surface to apply an exclusive process developed in-house, called Magma Moon Coating (MMC). Performed using laser technology to create a depth effect, this operation flies us to the dark side of the Earth’s satellite and its ruggedness, accentuating the mysterious aspect of the timepiece.
The 41mm-diameter steel case housing an ingenious mechanical structure also benefits from a specific treatment, a Label Noir signature. The Amorphous Diamond Like Carbon (ADLC) lends it a discreetly and elegant matt colour while reinforcing its protective hardness and ductility. Thanks to the “stop-work declutch” mechanism of its ASB19 movement, coupled with a self-winding movement, the Gravity Equal Force is the first timepiece in the history of watchmaking to feature constant force transmission using a Maltese cross with a micro rotor. Such injection of power into the balance guarantees flawless uniform precision. This calibre, with a frequency of 25,200 vibrations per hour, also delivers a generous power reserve of 72 hours.
The Geneva workshop’s expertise in the field of coating transcends the art of watchmaking. Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force by Label Noir serves as a reminder that while bright colours are trendy, blacks have a natural elegance that outlast passing fads.