The stone of storms
This decorative mineral, sometimes called the ‘stone of storms’, is a variety of chalcedony. It was discovered by Sid Pieters in Namibia at the beginning of the 1960s. It was selected by Arnold & Son for its delicate, swirling, random patterns that recall the skies of Cornwall during rough weather and the foaming waves that lash the rugged coasts of the county.

The history

In 1714, the British Parliament responded to the challenges of the ocean by offering a £20,000 reward to anyone who could determine longitude at sea. While John Harrison (1693–1776) was the first to demonstrate that a timekeeper could solve this challenge, it was John Arnold and his precise, serially produced marine chronometers who enabled England, from the second half of the Age of Enlightenment, to embark on the exploration of new lands before any other nation.

The name
For this ultra-thin watch, Arnold & Son deliberately chose the designation HM to indicate that it displays only hours and minutes. It is inspired by the names of Royal Navy vessels where HM stands for His or Her Majesty’s (depending on the reigning monarch), reflecting the ships’ official status and royal authority. Appearing in the 17th century and formalised as HMS (His/Her Majesty’s Ship) at the end of the 18th century, here this historical reference is elegantly transposed to watchmaking – but that’s another story…

An extremely fine watch

With a diameter of 39.5 mm, the watch’s dreamlike dial enchants with its unique diaphanous patterns, inviting us to follow the movement of their curls. Presented in 18-carat red gold (5N) or steel, it is remarkable for its elegance and finesse. The case is only 7.82 mm thick. Delicate and expressive, the HM displays hours and minutes with restraint. Produced in a limited edition of just 8 pieces in gold and 18 in steel, the model is water-resistant up to 30 metres, perfect for daily use in all levels of humidity.

An ultra-thin calibre
Part of the family of dress watches, the Arnold & Son HM is driven by an in-house manual winding calibre bearing the reference A&S1001. Visible through the transparent case back, this ultra-thin movement, carefully finished according to the most exacting standards of luxury watchmaking, measures 30 mm in diameter and is only 2.70 mm thick. Its rhodium-plated main plate features a circular-grained finish. The bridges are chamfered with a radiating Côtes de Genève decoration. The wheels are snail-finished and the screws, chamfered with polished heads, are blued.

Exceptional performance
This prestigious movement, equipped with a regulating organ oscillating at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz), offers a generous 90-hour power reserve once the barrel has been fully wound via the winding crown.

Understated elegance

This timepiece, which is minimalist in appearance only, is worn on a matt blue alligator leather strap, perfectly matching the colour of the pietersite, and fastened with a traditional pin buckle, made from the same metal as the case.

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With their new interpretation of the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Platinum, Arnold & Son pay tribute to the watchmaking genius of the House’s founder. This platinum edition represents the final opus of the Constant Force 11 collection – launched with the gold model – and crowns the celebration of 260 years of heritage. It also celebrates the magic of nature with a dial ornamented with a hand-guilloché surface in the “tremblé” style, evoking the fern-covered moors around Tintagel in Cornwall – the birthplace of John Arnold and setting for the legendary adventures of King Arthur.

Adorned with new refinements, the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 was purposefully designed by Arnold & Son to honour the timepiece that Abraham-Louis Breguet presented to John Roger Arnold in 1808. Now conserved by the British Museum, this historic timepiece, based on John Arnold’s No. 11 chronometer, is believed to be the first tourbillon-regulated watch made by Abraham-Louis Breguet after he filed the patent in 1801.

A fern-covered dial
The Constant Force Tourbillon 11 platinum edition features a distinctive solid gold dial. The fine detail of the “tremblé” is expertly crafted by hand with a burin engraver. Under the controlled motion of the tool, the sharp tip has traced a succession of artfully irregular zigzags. This organic pattern is surprisingly harmonious and takes its inspiration from the wild moors of Cornwall, where ferns curl in fleeting arabesques as the sea winds blow. Each etched curve seems to capture the soul of this mystical land, the birthplace of John Arnold and home to Arthurian legends. The engraving weaves a poetic tie between the master’s watchmaking heritage and the elemental forces that shaped his childhood. The wind, the dancing ferns and the famous mists – all the magic of Cornwall – are reflected in the golden dial, transforming timekeeping into an ode to nature and history.

The dial is meticulously pierced to accommodate the white opal hour and minute subdial, as well as the mechanism delivering constant force to the tourbillon cage. The latter can be seen under an 18-carat gold bridge and rotates in exact, one-second increments. This rhythm is far from insignificant as it carries the legacy of marine chronometry when each second counted was a longitude reclaimed from the ocean.

A timekeeper’s testament
The classically shaped, rounded case measures 41.5 mm in diameter. Crafted in platinum, it appears exceptionally slender on the wrist. On the dial side, it is fitted with a delicate bezel framing a domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. On the reverse, it features a sapphire case back through which the bridges and the tourbillon of the in-house manual winding A&S5219 calibre can be seen. Water resistant to 3 bar, the watch is worn on a hand-stitched midnight blue alligator leather strap, fastened with a platinum folding clasp.

A constant force mechanism
To ensure perfect isochronism throughout its 100-hour power reserve, Arnold & Son have positioned their patented constant force mechanism between the main gear train and the tourbillon. Visible on the dial, this ingenious system regulates the energy from the barrels, eliminating any variations in torque that could disturb the balance’s oscillation. Second after second, it rearms a finely adjusted spiral guaranteeing a completely stable transmission of energy to the tourbillon cage. The precise choreography of this constant force mechanism is magnified by an 18-carat gold bridge, emphasising the watchmaking excellence.

The constant force mechanism replaces the group of components known as the “fusée-and-chain” that John Arnold used in his chronometers. The advantage of this system is that it not only delivers a constant force to the regulating organ, it also produces a true-beat seconds display. The seconds are not indicated by a traditional seconds hand, but by the tip of the hand-blued anchor, which simultaneously serves as a structural bridge for the constant force mechanism.

A balanced tourbillonThis final limited series of 11 pieces pays tribute to the legendary friendship between John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. Its sapphire case back reveals the A&S5219 calibre, whose architecture is directly inspired by the first regulator with tourbillon created by Abraham-Louis Breguet. This chef-d’oeuvre, housed in the British Museum, was inspired by Arnold’s No. 11 chronometer and offered to his son in 1808. The Constant Force Tourbillon 11 revives this watchmaking bond: its tourbillon cage faithfully reproduces the original design. With extremely pure lines, the tourbillon features a distinctive and remarkably delicate linear, mirror-polished and rounded cage bridge, revealing a variable-inertia balance whose design draws on John Arnold’s most accomplished chronometers. In this true dialogue across time, every component speaks to the extraordinary union of two masters of timekeeping.

A celebration of friendship
The finishing of the main plate, bridge and tourbillon cock is virtually identical to that of the very first tourbillon. To complete the tribute, Arnold & Son have included hand-engraved inscriptions on the barrel bridge and added the famous plate on which another homage has been engraved: “To the revered memory of John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. Friends in their time, legendary watchmakers always.”. This inscription definitively gives the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 its place in a unique historical saga: one in which the friendship between two geniuses gave rise to some of the most remarkable advances in chronometry.

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A visionary partner
Founded in Dubai in 1950, Ahmed Seddiqi has become a leading name for watches in the Middle East, embodying passion, know-how and legacy. The family-run retailer has built a unique heritage, bringing together the world’s major watchmakers and cultivating a role as an ambassador for fine watchmaking in the region. This edition pays tribute to this story of excellence and celebrates the special relationship between Arnold & Son and the Seddiqi family.

Noble colours
This anniversary edition can be worn with a choice of three bracelets: three-link steel, garnet calfskin and technical fabric in the same colour. The skeletonised main plate and gold-finished barrels complement the Eastern Arabic numerals on the garnet-hued flange. The palladium-plated bridges echo the steel of the case, creating an equilibrium between materials and colours.

Seven bridges
Designed with purity of line in mind, the Nebula 40 Steel features a rounded flank and deep lugs that highlight the essential: its signature movement. Inspired by nebulae and their spiral arms, the architecture of the A&S5201 calibre is based on seven functional and harmoniously arranged skeletonised bridges. Facing the centre, they present a radiating and transparent symmetry that forms the collection’s essence.

At the heart of the star
Beyond its dazzling appearance, the calibre is attractive for its precise finishes. The bridges, hollowed out and polished along all edges, present alternating satin-finish surfaces and shiny edges. Every single component contributes to creating a structured and steady rhythm. On the case back, two intersecting ogival bridges support the functional organs, while the “Rayons de la Gloire” finish elegantly reflects Arnold & Son’s aesthetic.

Power and endurance
Equipped with two large series-coupled barrels, the Nebula 40 Steel offers a remarkable 90-hour power reserve, rare in skeletonised pieces but typical of Arnold & Son calibres. Their energy drives the entire gear train, which follows the star-shaped arrangement of the bridges. The balance at the end beats at a frequency of 3 Hz, demonstrating this exceptional movement’s vitality.

A celebrated alliance
With this Nebula 40 Steel, Arnold & Son pays tribute to Ahmed Seddiqi’s 75-year existence, a symbol of watchmaking legacy and passion. This limited edition embodies the encounter between two Houses united by the same ethos: that of excellence, creativity and promotion of fine timepieces. More than a watch, it seals an enduring bond between the Swiss Manufacture and its visionary partner in Dubai.

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The DSTB 42 collection is enriched with two new editions. With this true-beat seconds model, Arnold & Son present a Mint Green dial in a red gold case and an Ascot Blue dial for the platinum version. Produced in a limited edition of 18 pieces, each combines asymmetrical displays and mechanical sophistication with its exceptional complication. The grained dials, with their dense texture and vibrant shine, are adorned with three openwork gold bridges supporting the true-beat seconds mechanism, facing the off-centred white opal hours dial. This subtle interplay of textures and finishes demonstrates the depth of complexity and singularity that defines the DSTB collection.

The true-beat seconds was intrinsic to the marine chronometers that John Arnold supplied to the Royal Navy. Their escapements beat with the steady rhythm of one oscillation per second, naturally revealed by the seconds hand. With this clear, regular rhythm, Arnold & Son invented one of its most iconic complications: the true-beat seconds, also known as deadbeat seconds.

A precise jump
All true-beat seconds require a dedicated mechanism. No wristwatch escapement naturally beats at the rate of one oscillation per second, a frequency designed for certain large-format clocks. The A&S6203 calibre functions at 4 Hz or eight oscillations per second. Creating a seconds hand that jumps from one index to the next requires a dedicated mechanism, similar to an escapement. Developed in-house by Arnold & Son watchmakers and reserved for this collection, the mechanism is fully displayed on the dial side in tribute to the groundbreaking advances that John Arnold brought to marine chronometry.

True to history
This true-beat seconds mechanism is showcased in a manner befitting its historical importance for Arnold & Son. Choosing to position it on the dial side means the movement must be crossed, adding an additional level to the A&S6203 calibre and requiring the creation of three specific bridges. They are designed in harmony with the Arnold & Son style. Openwork and three-dimensional, they are crafted in solid gold.

On these bridges, the seconds hand follows the track stretching between 9 and 12 o’clock, providing balance opposite an off-centred hours and minutes dial in white opal at 5 o’clock. This layout reflects an intentional aesthetic choice, rather than merely a contrived offsetting of the movement, as indicated by the crown, which remains at 3 o’clock.

A meticulous hand
The operation of the true-beat seconds mechanism – even, steady, aesthetically pleasing – can be clearly seen. The counterweight of this quasi-escapement takes the form of an anchor, the foundational symbol of Arnold & Son. It moves in time with the calibre, precisely orchestrating the motion of the long, fine seconds hand.

The DSTB 42 is one of Arnold & Son’s most iconic lines and is based on the A&S6203 calibre, fully developed, machined, assembled and regulated at the Manufacture. This self-winding movement is powered by a 22-carat gold oscillating weight and offers a 55-hour power reserve. It beats at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour and, naturally, drives its true-beat seconds in 60 precise jumps per minute.

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Arnold & Son is revisiting its Globetrotter collection to present a version that is at once more compact, slimmer and easier to read. With its new 42 mm diameter, the Globetrotter 42 Steel features a steel case and is available in two versions, one named ‘Strand Blue’, the other ‘Greenwich Green’, each available in a limited edition of 88 timepieces.

“It is worth remembering that the English watchmakers John Arnold and his son John Roger were pioneers in the field of timepieces designed for travel and exploration. In 1771, their creations were tested at sea by Admiral Harland, then used successfully on ships as navigational instruments for calculating longitude. These instruments enabled British soldiers, explorers and scientists of the time to gain the upper hand over all their competitors. One such beneficiary was the explorer James Cook, who took John Arnold’s first chronometers (No. 1 and No. 2) on his second voyage of discovery between 1772 and 1775. Another example occurred in 1792 at the Cape of Good Hope in South Africa, when a John Arnold creation was entrusted by the Dutch to the French Rear-Admiral Antoine Bruny d’Entrecasteaux to help him with his search for the explorer Jean-François de Galaup, Comte de La Pérouse. Many of these instruments were also used on board the East India Company’s trading ships, or on vessels such as that commanded by Sir John Franklin during his third expedition to explore the Northwest Passage, an ice-free sea lane to Canada, in 1847.”

In memory of those heroic times when explorers set out to discover the world clutching maps and chronometers, Arnold & Son presents a new version of its famous Globetrotter, a contemporary timekeeping instrument dedicated to today’s travellers. Revisited in size and functionality, the resulting Globetrotter 42 Steel has been finely reworked to offer dimensions that are more in line with modern wearing practices. Its 42 mm diameter steel case appears all the more balanced with its new thickness of just 15 mm, while the exceptional construction of its dial has been retained.

This ultra-graphic dial has also undergone subtle changes that have made it visually more striking and technically even more effective for international travel. The structure retains its famous, delicately curved arched bridge – crafted from steel and worked by hand –which can be considered the signature feature of the collection. The bridge demarcates the hours of the day and night on the 24-hour bezel ring and, with the ruby set in its centre, holds in place the dome representing the northern hemisphere as seen from the North Pole. On the dome, the metallic continents, which have been sunray-brushed to accentuate their relief, stand out clearly and strikingly against the oceans depicted in blue or green depending on the model.

Another notable change made by the watch developers at Arnold & Son to this mobile dome – which rotates once every 24 hours and enables world time to be displayed – is the addition of a ring around its perimeter bearing the names of twelve reference cities. Each of these cities, from both the northern and southern hemispheres, is symbolised by its code placed opposite its location on the map. These indicators are intended to give texture to the planisphere and allow the user to instinctively visualise the time in the location of their choice, as it is read opposite the 24-hour transferred numerals on the fixed ring of the local time dial, which itself is read using the two arrows that peak out from under the world map.

The decision was also made to present the dials of both versions of the Globetrotter 42 Steel in classic English colours. This is a signature of the design and naming traditions that run through all Arnold & Son ranges. The ‘Strand Blue’ model is therefore a reference to the London street that runs parallel to the River Thames and on which John Arnold’s shop was located. The colours of the ‘Greenwich Green’ version were chosen to recall the wooded hills that surround the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.

Both versions of the Globetrotter 42 are powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical calibre reference A&S6122, whose power reserve has been increased from 45 to 55 hours. This movement allows the home and remote time displays to be adjusted via the three positions of the crown.

Like all movements bearing the Arnold & Son signature, it was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up at the Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case back, the A&S6122 calibre features an engraved and finely openworked oscillating weight and is decorated with the traditional motifs of fine watchmaking. Its main plate is circular-grained, its bridges display radiating Côtes de Genève stripes, the wheels are satin-finished and the screws are chamfered and polished. It should be noted that its palladium coating offers a particularly interesting light-grey finish that perfectly complements the cases of the models it powers. These watches, with their sophisticated graphics and practical features for travellers, are worn on alligator leather straps in ‘ink’ blue or ‘Cornwall’ green depending on the model, and are fastened on the wrist with a classic stainless-steel pin buckle bearing the brand’s emblem.

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The new Perpetual Moon 41.5 Cliff Grey Edition features a dial in the same shade as the cliffs of Cornwall: a homage to the county of birth of Arnold & Son’s founder and the port of departure for His Majesty’s ships, equipped with marine chronometers designed by John Arnold. The collection’s signature immense moon, standing as a symbol for high-sea navigation, crosses a night sky glittering with the constellations of Ursa Major and Cassiopeia. A limited edition of 28 pieces in red gold, Perpetual Moon 41.5 Cliff Grey is brought to life by glistening hues and Arnold & Son’s watchmaking soul.

Arnold & Son, Switzerland’s most English watchmaker, is continuing its exploration of moon and earth. This Cliff Grey model welcomes a dial with a radiating Stellar Rays motif, overlaid with successive variations in colours and materials. With a case measuring 41.5 mm in diameter and 11.30 mm thick, this Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold proudly showcases one of the largest moons in watchmaking.

Ever-shifting
The dial of this Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold series features the Stellar Rays finish, an exclusive Arnold & Son signature. It showcases a unique aesthetic. Various depths and widths of rays follow on from one another, creating a distinctive rhythm. Their sequence produces a fluctuating play of light, accentuated by the depth created by successive layers of transparent lacquer. In this new limited edition of 28 pieces, the Cliff Grey shade is a reference to the British coast and its cliffs bathed in a hazy light.

Nocturnal
The moon appears in the sky. Depicted realistically with hand-painted shadows, the earth’s natural satellite is rendered in mother-of-pearl overlaid with Super-LumiNova. It sits against a grained sky with a blue PVD treatment, adding to its evocative power. True to the custom of the Perpetual Moon collection, the moon is surrounded by the constellations of Ursa Major and Cassiopeia, both hand-painted and overlaid with luminescent material. The choice of these star patterns is a direct allusion to the history of marine chronometer-maker John Arnold.

Celestial
Ursa Major and Cassiopeia have always served as landmarks in the night sky. Halfway between the two easily identifiable groups is the Pole Star. Its position always shows the north and its elevation angle, or position along the north-south axis, can be used to estimate the distance from the equator, i.e. the latitude. Before the invention of instruments to determine the longitude, it was the most reliable measure of a boat’s position at sea.

Expressive

The sophistication of the dial is complemented by the pared-back refinement of the case. The lugs are taught, plunging and bevelled. They emerge from the curve, continuing on from the profile of the red gold case middle. A diameter of 41.5 mm and a thin bezel help open up as much of the dial as possible. This vast, unobstructed showcase provides the space needed for the large moon disc display.

Accurate
On the case back, a secondary moon-phase indicator allows fast and accurate adjustment of the moon age. The manually-wound A&S1512 calibre that powers it tracks its phases with exceptional accuracy. The total duration of a lunar cycle is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds. Arnold & Son has approached this so closely that it would take 122 years for this movement, if constantly wound up, to accumulate a 24-hour discrepancy between the display and astronomical reality.

Exclusive
Like all Arnold & Son’s movements, the A&S1512 calibre was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up at the manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This calibre features two barrels and an oscillation frequency of 3 Hz, providing the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold Cliff Grey with a 90-hour power reserve.

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The greatest watchmakers of the Age of Enlightenment often knew each other. Some of them exchanged views and appreciated each other despite language barriers and political obstacles. And this was the case with John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. These two watchmakers, undoubtedly the most productive of the second half of the 18th century, forged a friendship that nothing could shake, not even the throes of war between the two countries or the French Revolution. Aware of their respective talents, during Abraham-Louis Breguet’s frequent trips to London between 1789 and 1791, they shared their views and knowledge of the principles of timekeeping, furthering the science of timekeeping, which in their eyes definitely knew no frontiers.

When context is everything
While John Arnold was captivated by the understated design of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s watches and his understanding of complex kinematics, Breguet was fascinated by his English friend’s ability to invent simple mechanisms that could be mass-produced and approached a chronometric precision that no other watchmaker of the time could hope to achieve. During their exchanges, which included sending their respective sons to train with the other, these two geniuses were able to work out the best way of eliminating the running errors of watch balances.

The English watchmaker concentrated on optimising his detent escapement and developing balances, such as special springs, so as to offer instruments capable of satisfying his proto-industrial approach to chronometer construction – especially as the Admiralty asked him to produce them in ever greater quantities and at ever lower prices.

Meanwhile, Abraham-Louis Breguet, inspired by his conversations with his English friend on the principles of high chronometry, continued to work on developing the tourbillon during his exile in Switzerland from 1792. On his return to Paris in 1795, he wrote about the development of a rotating carriage in a letter. Then, two years after John Arnold’s death in 1799, he patented this mechanism under the name ‘tourbillon’ in Paris on 26 June 1801, i.e. 7 Messidor Year IX according to the French Republican calendar still in effect at the time.

To honour the memory of his friend and remember the research they had carried out together, he based his first tourbillon regulator on the movement of John Arnold’s marine chronometer no. 11. He screwed an engraved silver plate onto the main bridge with the following dedication: “The first tourbillon regulator by Breguet incorporated in one of the first works of Arnold. Breguet’s homage to the revered memory of Arnold. Presented to his son in the year 1808.” This timekeeping instrument, now in the British Museum, was given to John Roger Arnold, who succeeded his father as head of the workshop and London boutique.

A chronometer designed to tell a story
As a tribute to their work and in memory of the friendship between these two watchmaking geniuses during the Age of Enlightenment, Arnold & Son has chosen to give this Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch a 41.5 mm diameter 18-carat yellow gold case with a classic design. The yellow hue of this precious metal was chosen because it was often used by John Arnold for prestigious pocket watches at the time. It is in perfect harmony with the openworked bridge of the constant force mechanism, which is also made of 18-carat yellow gold. The timepiece’s curved case middle helps to reduce its profile. The front features a thin bezel set with a slightly domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on both sides. On the reverse, it has an open case back in yellow gold with an identical sapphire crystal, revealing the manual winding manufacture calibre with the reference A&S5219. Water-resistant up to a pressure of 3 bar (30 metres or 100 feet), the watch is worn on an alligator leather strap fastened around the wrist with a classic pin buckle in 18-carat yellow gold bearing the Arnold & Son monogram.

A precious and captivating dial
For the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 timepiece, Arnold & Son chose a white Grand Feu enamel dial to recall the dials of the ship’s chronometers that John Arnold offered to English naval officers in his London boutique. This disc was individually produced by a specialist artisan on an 18-carat yellow gold base. White enamel is obtained by melting powdered materials in a kiln heated to just over 800°C. After firing the enamel several times to achieve the required thickness, the surface is lapped to make it smooth and even. Then, as long as the material has not cracked and there are no imperfections that would spoil the white colour, a translucent enamel is applied and the disc is fired one last time. This gives it depth and transparency, bringing out the full magic of the enamel, whose hue is permanent and is called ‘Grand Feu’ (great fire) because it is vitrified by melting. Openings are then made in this delicate and precious disc to accommodate the constant force mechanism and white opal subdial – a true signature of the House. Here, for the first time at Arnold & Son, this fine stone has been recessed to give it a stronger visual presence and an angle that enhances the readability of the black transfer Roman numerals.

A calibre worthy of the master of chronometers
The A&S5219 movement was specially developed by the Manufacture’s engineers and watchmakers to the specifications of the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch. To remain as faithful to the original movement as possible, this calibre is hand-wound. But while inspired by the past, it remains thoroughly contemporary. It is equipped with two identical barrels mounted in series, giving a 100-hour power reserve. These barrels alternate in driving the mechanism, the second being activated when the torque of the first falls below optimum output.

A constant force mechanism
To guarantee the isochronism of the regulating group over 100 hours of operation, the movement’s designers incorporated a patented constant force mechanism between the going train and the tourbillon. Visible on the dial side, its purpose is to smooth out the energy delivered by the barrels so as to prevent excessive or insufficient torque from affecting the oscillations of the balance in the tourbillon carriage. This constant force mechanism is held in place by an 18-carat yellow gold bridge and rotates over the course of one minute. In the Constant Force Tourbillon 11, it replaces the fusee-and-chain configuration used by John Arnold in his chronometers. As well as supplying a constant force, the system chosen for this timepiece also allows for a ‘dead-beat seconds’ indication, in which the direct-drive hand does not advance seamlessly, but instead makes successive jumps of exactly one second – much like the direct-drive seconds of marine chronometers, which also made very similar jumps (detent chronometers generally beat every half-second). In the configuration chosen for the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch, the seconds are not indicated by a conventional hand, but instead by the tip of a flame-blued anchor used as a structural bridge for the constant force mechanism.

A system intended to smooth out positional errors
Designed to celebrate the friendship between John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet, the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch has a transparent anti-reflective sapphire crystal case back that showcases the architecture of the A&S5219 calibre, inspired by the back of the timekeeper kept in the British Museum. Here, the tourbillon carriage, which rotates once every minute, keeps the general design of the carriage used by John Arnold’s brilliant friend in the timepiece intended to commemorate their unbreakable friendship and embody the true scope of their joint research. The extremely refined tourbillon features a very thin, polished and rounded-off linear carriage bridge that reveals a variable inertia balance with inertia blocks inspired by the most sophisticated oscillators used in John Arnold’s chronometers. The House also chose to incorporate a T-shaped retaining spring inspired by the one used in the ‘pare-chute’ shock protection system developed by Abraham-Louis Breguet and which can be found on the tourbillon bridge of the original instrument. However, a Swiss lever escapement, which is more practical and less sensitive to shocks, was chosen over the detent escapement of the original timepiece.

The finishes of the mainplate, bridge and tourbillon cock are virtually identical on both timepieces, while the grained and chamfered barrel bridge of the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch features hand-engraved inscriptions and the famous plate, which has a new text inspired by the original: “To the revered memory of John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. Friends in their time, legendary watchmakers always.” . These words underscore the historical and horological context of this Arnold & Son edition of 11 timepieces, where friendship and the art of timekeeping were the strongest driving forces.

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The case of the Nebula collection has been redesigned, modernised and refined. With streamlined lugs, a softly rounded bezel, a more vertical case middle and a diameter of 40 mm in harmony with its thickness of just 9.10 mm, this steel case opens a new chapter for the collection. Featuring the A&S5201 skeletonised calibre offering an ultra-graphic layout, Nebula retains its identity as a watch whose movement fascinates, captivates and draws the eye into its depths.

Black and gold
Nebula 40 Steel is being launched in two initial steel versions. The first features a black mainplate, flange and barrel covers, designed to match a choice of three bracelets: one in steel with a three-link design, the second in alligator leather and the third in textured rubber. The second version is only available on a steel bracelet in a limited edition of 88 timepieces, with gold-coloured movement components. Both pieces showcase meticulous finishes, such as the ‘Rayons de la Gloire’ motif – one of Arnold & Son’s discreet aesthetic signatures – as well as palladium-finished skeleton bridges, which add brilliance and contrast with their satin-finished surfaces and polished corners.

Seven bridges
The new generation of Arnold & Son cases focuses on the purity of lines and curves. Softened flanks and plunging lugs strip back the aesthetics of Nebula 40 Steel to the essential: its signature movement, the central star around which the aesthetics of the collection revolve.

The calibre was born with Nebula, for which it was specifically developed. Its architecture, inspired by the nebulae from which the arms of stars radiate, is what gave the collection its name. Here, these arms are represented by seven bridges, all functional, skeletonised and harmoniously arranged. Facing the inside of the watch, they converge towards its centre, creating an incomparable impression of order, symmetry and transparency.

At the heart of the star
Behind the radiant appearance of the A&S5201 calibre, the shape of the bridges is just as important as their arrangement. They have hollowed-out centres and their chamfers, both internal and external, are carefully polished. Each bridge brings together one screw and two pins to create a rhythm that reinforces the structured appearance of the calibre. On the case back, two large intersecting ogival bridges support the movement’s functional organs at the back.

With its two large barrels arranged in series, Nebula 40 Steel offers a power reserve of 90 hours: exceptionally long for a skeletonised piece, but typical of Arnold & Son calibres. Their energy is transmitted to the gear train, whose layout follows the star-shaped arrangement of the bridges. The balance at the end oscillates at a frequency of 3 hertz. These attributes combine to make the A&S5201 calibre a rare phenomenon in the watchmaking cosmos.

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In the watchmaking language of Arnold & Son, the double tourbillon is a rare construction, making the eponymous collection a vehicle for unique pieces. Double Tourbillon White Gold draws on the richness of the natural materials that Arnold & Son explores with method and originality. After imperial jade, malachite and Baltic amber, Arnold & Son presents charoite.

Rare earth
Parma violet, mauve, lavender, lilac… There are many words to describe the shifting colour of charoite. Like lapis lazuli, it is the product of a rich and textured coalition of different minerals. In fact, it is one of the most complex stones ever formed by the Earth’s crust since its chemical formula is a silicate containing traces of aluminium, iron, manganese, barium and strontium.

Charoite is made up of an interweaving of complex textures. It was in these strata that Arnold & Son sought the surface for the dial of Double Tourbillon White Gold, finely cutting the stone without breaking it, opening up two large spaces for the subdials and tourbillon carriages, and polishing it to reveal a mauve peppered with white.

Duality
In historical terms, Double Tourbillon White Gold draws on the fundamental vocation of John Arnold’s work: chronometry. His production of marine chronometers sought to simplify and augment the perfect reliability of time measurement. The aim was to keep track of the time at the point of departure. By comparing it with that of the place where the measurement was taken, based on observing true solar noon, ocean navigators were able to calculate their position on an east-west axis, or their longitude.

Double Tourbillon White Gold perpetuates this duality by displaying local time on the subdial at 12 o’clock, punctuated by Roman numerals. It is complemented by a display of the time in another location at 6 o’clock, using Arabic numerals. These two dials display hours and minutes that are completely independent, and accurate to the minute.

Craftsmanship
In terms of pure watchmaking, Double Tourbillon draws on the Manufacture’s design, production, finishing and adjustment capabilities. Its sapphire crystal is convex to accommodate the depth of its two tourbillons, which are in turn each secured to a three-dimensional, skeletonised, cantilevered bridge in white gold. They are also at the end of a double gear train. The A&S8513 calibre is thus equipped with two barrels, two crowns and two time zones.
They can display the same time, two different times, or one can tell the time while the other is timing a long event. Unlike the majority of so-called travel watches, Double Tourbillon can thus adapt to time zones that are offset by 15, 30 or 45 minutes.

Finishes
The structure of this movement is underscored by sophisticated finishes. From the radiating Côtes de Genève stripes to the circular-grained mainplate, the double-snailed barrels, the sunray-brushed crown wheels and the polished gold chatons, everything about the A&S8513 calibre exudes elevation, craftsmanship and excellence.

The bevelled, satin-finished and mirror-polished tourbillon bridges in white gold are the highlight of an exceptionally elegant display in relief. Double Tourbillon White Gold offers a mechanical and ornamental counterpart to the symbolic aesthetic that reigns on its dials

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Perpetual Moon 38 Red Gold welcomes two limited-edition dials. The radiance of 88 pieces in blue aventurine glass and 28 pieces in a warm, sunray-brushed grey joins that of the largest moon phase. Arnold & Son exhibits its mastery of colour, its sense of texture and its taste for materials, telling a nocturnal narrative that brings together the grey of a cliff, the iridescent white of the moon and the almost black blue of a starry sky.

Blue aventurine glass and cliff grey. Two new themes take hold of the 38 mm diameter red gold (5N) iteration of Perpetual Moon, giving two sophisticated dials befitting of the precise astronomical moon phase of the A&S1612 calibre.

From the outset, Perpetual Moon 38 was destined to become a fully-fledged collection, distinct from its larger 41.5 mm diameter cousin and its more assertive style. Behind the scenes is the unwavering quality with which Arnold & Son creates its movements and selects the elements for their exteriors.

White and green
Measuring 38 mm in diameter and 10.44 mm thick, the case of Perpetual Moon 38 Red Gold is brought to life from a block of red gold (5N). Its bezel, four lugs and crown are polished, shining under the cold light of the moon. The blue aventurine dial, constellated with metallic particles, blends into a celestial vault sculpted from the same glass. The “cliff grey” dial, in a warm, sunray-brushed grey, boasts an ever-shifting moiré effect under a grained matte midnight blue sky.

A 38 mm picture of precision
Perpetual Moon 38 Red Gold transposes the watchmaking requirements that have always guided Arnold & Son into its slender case. The Arnold & Son Swiss manufacture has designed an entirely new calibre, the smallest in its collection, and dedicated it to Perpetual Moon 38.

At 30 mm, the A&S1612 calibre has been sized to fit the diameter of the case. The hand-wound movement continues Arnold & Son’s tradition of calibres with long power reserves, reaching 90 hours.

Waxing moon, waning moon
The star complication of the A&S1612 calibre is its moon phase. Perpetual Moon 38 showcases a large moon disc. The different crescents occupy the large aperture between 10 and 2 o’clock, with the form of their cut-out faithfully recreating the appearance of the moon.

True to its tradition of precision watchmaking, Arnold & Son has given this moon phase an accuracy of 122 years. Continuously rising, it will take more than a century for this moon to lag one day behind the real one in our skies.

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The aesthetics and construction of John Arnold’s marine chronometers were necessarily classic and functional, and were adapted to the harsh conditions of the high seas. Longitude Titanium, a contemporary interpretation of the great English watchmaker’s work, coherently combines this naval heritage with a refined design and highly resistant materials. The movement’s ‘chronometer’ certification is an essential addition to this scene, with its historical ties to Arnold’s creations and his quest for accuracy.

Ergonomic spirit

As a natural consequence of this maritime identity, Longitude presents a titanium case whose curves and profile are directly inspired by the design of contemporary sailing boats. The case middle is taut like a ship’s waterline, while the case back is basin-shaped like a keel. The base of the bezel – the ship’s rail – is graduated with 60 notches, echoing the fluted ring of John Arnold’s marine chronometers. The finishes – polished on the flanks and satin-finished on the flat surfaces – continue this high-sea influence. The crown, protected by a shoulder, is screwed down to guarantee water-resistance to 100 metres.

Curved spirit

With its flowing curves, Longitude Titanium is both comfortable to wear and a joy to behold. Each of the series is fitted with an integrated titanium bracelet. Everything is rounded with no straight lines, even in the finer details as the links themselves are domed. The succession of gentle curves and combination of polished and satin-finished surfaces are a continuation of the case’s identity. Longitude Titanium is complemented by an interchangeable system and comes with an additional rubber strap.

Watchmaking spirit

The dial of Longitude Titanium has been designed in a graphic and historical spirit. This graphic aspect can be seen in the satin-finished, polished and luminescent hour-markers that recall the shape of the bracelet links. It is also graphic in the display of its indications, which are aligned with the vertical axis of the dial: a mirror-polished power-reserve indicator shown by cut-outs in the dial at 12 o’clock, the hour and minute hands in the centre, and the imposing small seconds at 6 o’clock. However, this layout was also chosen for its ties to John Arnold’s marine chronometers, as it was he who introduced this arrangement and established it as standard.

Chromatic spirit

Cornwall, John Arnold’s birthplace, inspired the colours of the Longitude dials. The first edition, limited to 88 timepieces, is adorned with a sandy golden shade called ‘Kingsand’ in reference to the eponymous beach, which is one of the county’s hidden jewels. The second version sports an ocean blue, while the third and final series is a fern green.

Inventive spirit

During the 18th century, maritime trade was the main source of wealth. New routes opened up on the three major oceans, offering vast prospects. However, high-sea navigation was hampered by as yet incomplete maps and charts and, above all else, by inaccurate longitudes, i.e. the position of boats on the east/west axis. In 1714, the British Parliament passed the Longitude Act, which offered a prize of twenty thousand pounds to anyone who could develop a simple and dependable method for determining the longitude of a ship at sea. Briton John Harrison thus invented the marine chronometer, which would be used for centuries to come. His method involved measuring the difference between the local time on the boat, by finding solar noon, and the time of an onboard precision clock capable of keeping the time at the port of departure. John Arnold developed, improved and simplified the principles presented by Harrison. He started to supply his marine chronometers in 1771, which were more robust, affordable, extremely accurate and would go on to become essential to high-sea navigation.

Kinetic spirit

At the heart of Longitude Titanium beats the new A&S6302 calibre, certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC). It is wound by an oscillating weight with a design influenced by sailing. Its shape is reminiscent of the prow of an 18th-century English frigate cleaving through the water, and it is carved from a single block of 22-carat gold. Its felloe is engraved with graduations similar to those on a sextant – another maritime element.

Mechanical spirit

The calibre is lavished with the same high standard of finishes commonly seen at Arnold & Son, such as chamfered bridges with the house’s specialty ‘Rayons de la Gloire’ motif. Like all its movements, the A&S6302 was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up at the Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This calibre features a large barrel and an oscillation frequency of 4 Hz, providing a 60-hour power reserve.

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With its graceful curves and wide apertures, Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton also stands out for its slimness. Its new case, with a diameter of 41.5 mm and a thickness of 8.4 mm, presents the flying tourbillon calibre in its purest expression. The Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton collection, adorned in red gold or platinum, is issued in two limited series featuring 28 watches apiece.

Arnold & Son continues its tour of the Ultrathin Tourbillon collection. The A&S8320 calibre unveils its curves, apertures and details within a 41.5 mm case in either red gold (5N) or platinum (PT 950), each released in a run of 28 timepieces. Encased in this precious housing, Arnold & Son’s flying tourbillon stands out for its finesse and precision.

Finesse, because at just 3.3 mm thick, it is one of the slimmest skeleton tourbillon calibres in existence. Precision, because this one-minute flying tourbillon is assembled with a variable-inertia balance for enhanced calibration stability.

Radiating originality
The purpose of a skeleton is to convey a message, be it geometric, generic or minimal. For Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton, the skeletonisation of the calibre reveals pronounced curves and numerous inflection points that are highlighted by an original finish. On both the Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton Red Gold and Platinum, the bridges are treated with rose-gold PVD (4N) after being decorated with radiating Côtes de Genève stripes.

The flange around the calibre adopts this same finish, clearly revealing the Arnold & Son signature at 6 o’clock and enabling the off-centred white opal dial to be displayed in its purest form.

Golden carriage
At the heart of Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton beats the A&S8320 calibre, whose architecture and slimness are its principal protagonists. Designed without an upper bridge to minimise its thickness, the calibre is classed as a flying tourbillon.

The variable-inertia balance with inertia blocks ensures more precise calibration over time. The slender triangular carriage is supported by a double arrow, which is actually a counterpoise. The arrowhead on the staff of the escape wheel serves as a seconds pointer, as the carriage completes one rotation per minute.

Performance reserve
The changes to the tourbillon carriage and regulating organ give the A&S8320 calibre a power reserve of 100 hours. While this is a larger power reserve than for standard tourbillons, particularly slim ones, it is entirely in line with the performance regularly achieved by Arnold & Son calibres.

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The year of the Wooden Dragon starts on 10 February 2024. The dragon in this element is a harbinger of calm determination; the creature’s natural ardour is tempered by the wood. A year of questioning and control, it is also all about negotiation and generosity. These attributes coalesce to make this an eagerly-awaited year, duly celebrated by Arnold & Son with Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Dragon”.

Illumination

In the inimitable tradition of decorative horology important to Arnold & Son, this year is dedicated to a new “Chinese Zodiac” limited edition in the Perpetual Moon collection. There are two versions, each with eight pieces produced, with a large, panoramic moon illuminating a nocturnal garden setting and a sinuous rose gold (4N) dragon.

The backdrop to this scene is made from aventurine. Black or blue, the glass sparkling with metallic powder gives it a star-studded air. This is a calm union, in line with the subtleties of the Wooden Dragon. In the background stand a few stone pines with gnarled branches evoking the dragon’s shape.

Undulation

This dragon, positioned with its profile against the aventurine glass, is a supremely delicate sculpture with countless hand-crafted details. With powerful feet, dissuasive claws, open maw and whiskers flowing in the wind, this majestic creature drifts between two worlds. Depicted realistically with hand-painted shadows, the large, mother-of-pearl moon is overlaid with Super-LumiNova. It is placed against an aventurine glass sky and surrounded by the constellations of the Great Bear and Cassiopeia, which are also hand-painted and overlaid with luminescent material

The choice of these star patterns is a direct allusion to the history of marine chronometer-maker John Arnold. They have served as guiding lights since the dawn of time. In the middle distance lies the pole star, which unerringly indicates the north. Here, the importance of stars in determining periods, thresholds and symbols in the Chinese zodiac calendar constitutes a unique point of cultural and graphic convergence.

Mechanical excellence

On the case back, a secondary display of the phases of the moon allows fast and accurate adjustment of the moon age. The manually-wound A&S1512 calibre that powers the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Dragon” is able to track the phases of the moon with exceptional accuracy. The total duration of a lunar cycle is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds. Arnold & Son has approached this so closely that it would take 122 years for this movement, if constantly wound up, to accumulate a 24-hour discrepancy between the display and astronomical reality.

Like all Arnold & Son’s movements, the A&S1512 calibre was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up at the manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This calibre uses a double barrel with an oscillation frequency of 3 Hz, giving a 90-hour power reserve.

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The year of the Wooden Dragon starts on 10 February 2024. The dragon in this element is a harbinger of calm determination, the natural ardour of the giant reptile tempered by wood. A year of questioning and control, it is also all about negotiation and generosity. These attributes coalesce to make this an eagerly-awaited year, duly celebrated by Arnold & Son with Luna Magna Red Gold “Year of the Dragon”

Resonance of the gems

In the inimitable tradition of decorative horology to which Arnold & Son is deeply attached, this year is dedicated to a “Chinese Zodiac” limited edition in the Luna Magna collection. Two versions are available, each with eight pieces produced, featuring a large moon composed of red gold (5N) and pietersite or onyx, face to face with an impressive dragon in the same gold.

The large dial on which the dragon has landed is in fact a wide disc in the same stone as the three-dimensional moon, namely pietersite or onyx. The first is blue with veining, and the second smooth, glossy and black. The off-centre dial showing the hours and minutes is in white opal, a signature Arnold & Son gemstone.

Cambered dragon

Sculpted from red gold (5N), just like the case that encloses it, the dragon is hand-engraved. It transforms the watch into an objet d’art. The powerful body of the mythical creature coils around the dial to its head, reflected in the large moon.

With scales, claws, whiskers and horns, this oriental-style dragon turns its full attention to the three-dimensional globe that shows the phases of the moon on the Luna Magna Red Gold “Year of the Dragon”. The sphere has a double meaning here. It stands both for the moon, the cycles of which direct the Chinese calendar, and for the pearl of wisdom that, according to legend, is inseparable from the dragon, who ceaselessly attempts to catch it. With a final allusion to the Middle Kingdom, the lining of the straps is crafted from red alligator leather.

Mechanical excellence

Luna Magna Red Gold “Year of the Dragon” is powered by the A&S1021 calibre, entirely developed, produced, assembled and adjusted at the manufacture. This manually-wound calibre, designed around the lunar globe, offers a 90-hour power reserve and a regulating organ oscillating at a frequency of 3 Hz. On the case back, the movement provides a secondary display of the moon’s age, with very legible graduations that allow extremely precise adjustment of the lunar globe.

The sophistication of this celestial mechanism is also evident in its strict astronomical accuracy. The total duration of a lunar cycle is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds. Arnold & Son has approached this so closely that it would take 122 years to build up a 24-hour discrepancy between the display and astronomical reality. The disparity would be easy to correct since the moon function on the Luna Magna Red Gold “Year of the Dragon” is accessible directly via the crown. This practicality is only possible through Arnold & Son’s absolute mastery of the watchmaking process.

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Our conception of time is often either linear or cyclical. A vertical alignment is not part of our mental landscape. And yet, it is this vision that Arnold & Son has chosen to portray on Time Pyramid. Inspired by the creations of John Arnold and his British peers, it revives a clock shape that was fashionable in the 1830s. By arranging the movement’s organs from top to bottom instead of in a circle, Arnold & Son goes beyond the chronometric horizon to achieve an unparalleled feat of design.

Design
In creating Time Pyramid, Arnold & Son has revisited, adapted and extended clockmaking codes. Devoid of a full-sized dial, this wristwatch reveals a skeletonised movement in the shape of a pyramid. Alternatively, it can be seen as taking the form of an anchor, recalling the Arnold & Son logo and making direct reference to John Arnold’s title as watchmaker for the Royal Navy.

In the new case, with a diameter of 42.5 mm, a thickness of 10.72 mm, and in a choice of either red gold (5N) or platinum (PT950), the distinct features of Time Pyramid’s movement stand out. Its crown at 6 o’clock remains unique in the world of watchmaking, as does its baroque approach to symmetry.

Case back
The expression ‘open-air’ applies literally here, as the glass used for the case-back offers yet another new interpretation by Arnold & Son. Neither transparent nor opaque, it is composed of an extremely thin disc of aventurine glass in what constitutes a first for this iconic material.

Constellated with copper inclusions, aventurine glass originated in the region of Venice, which is renowned for its glass-making culture. It is said to have been discovered by accident when a workman dropped some copper filings into a vat of molten glass. One cooled and cut, the dazzling ‘all’avventura’ glass revealed a myriad of sparkles.

Light
Arnold & Son has chosen to use this decorated glass as a backdrop for its Time Pyramid. This backdrop allows the light to filter through when the watch is not being worn, revealing interplays of transparency and colour.

The interaction of reflections is just as strong on the dial, where alternating gold-plated and NAC-treated (anthracite) finishes showcase the Côtes de Genève stripes. The subtle glimpse it offers of the two barrels’ bridges reinforces the powerful and omnipresent sense of symmetry that underpins Time Pyramid.

Structure
The movement driving Time Pyramid is displayed for all to see. The case’s wide opening and slender bezel showcase the movement’s mechanical arrangement, while the screw balance sits majestically at 12 o’clock. Below, the gear train highlights an array of finishes that include hand chamfering, satin-finished and sunray-brushed wheels, snailed barrels and blued screws. The calibre’s structure then splits in two beneath a ring in white opal – the signature stone of Arnold & Son’s off-centred dials.

On either side of the encircled dial, two power-reserve indicators mirror one other, indicating the same information and reflecting the two barrels that power the calibre A&S1615 just a few millimetres below the surface. Fully developed, machined, assembled and adjusted at the Manufacture, it can operate for 90 hours without rewinding.

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