Sister brands Arnold & Son and Angelus were at the Carré des Horlogers section at Palexpo during Watches & Wonders Geneva, introducing great novelties.
Inspired by the maritime heritage, Arnold & Son establishes its creation around three founding principles embodying John Arnold’s (1736-1799) legacy: Astronomy, Chronometry and World Time.
This year’s Watches and Wonders novelty was debuted in the Chronometry collection, the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch. In the Chronometry line you can find complications, like the Ultrathin Tourbillon, the Time Pyramid with a skeletonised movement in the shape of a pyramid or the ‘Dial-Side True Beat’ with true-beat seconds’ function.
Constant Force Tourbillon 11
The Constant Force Tourbillon 11 honours John Arnold’s 260th anniversary and the founder’s collaborations with Abraham-Louis Breguet. As the company explains, John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet – two eminent watchmakers of their time – frequently shared their views and knowledge of the principles of timekeeping, furthering the science of watchmaking. They met personally during Breguet’s frequent trips to London between 1789 and 1791.
To tribute the memory of the research they had carried out together, Abraham-Louis Breguet based his first tourbillon regulator on the movement of John Arnold’s marine chronometer No. 11. He screwed a silver plate onto the main bridge with the engraving: ‘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.
The beautiful 41.5 mm diameter Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch, released as a limited edition of 11, commemorates this piece. The 18k yellow gold case – commonly used at prestigious pocket watches – contrasts nicely with white Grand Feu enamel dial. The Grand Feu enamel were typical on the dials of the ship’s chronometers that John Arnold offered to English naval officers in his London boutique. For the subdial the House used white opal and for the first time at their creations, it has been recessed to give it a stronger visual presence.
The A&S5219 hand-wound movement was specially developed by the Manufacture’s engineers to this novelty. 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.
It is fitted with a constant force mechanism visible on the enamel dial and is regulated by a tourbillon that can be seen on the back.
The caliber 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.’
Source: press release. Photo credits: Arnold & Son. Loupiosity.com.
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