Arnold & Son Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 Limited Edition
With the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36, luxury watchmaker Arnold & Son pays tribute to the historical high-precision chronometers made by legendary master watch maker John Arnold.
Drawing inspiration from the John Arnold pocket chronometer No. 1/36, which will mark its 240th anniversary in 2018, the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is a commemorative creation leading up to the milestone year for the historically significant John Arnold chronometer.
The John Arnold Chronometer No. 1/36, also known as “Arnold 36”, was not only the first pocket watch by John Arnold to use a larger movement with his “T” balance, but also the first to be referred to as a “chronometer” for its superior timekeeping capabilities.
In this respect, the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is faithful, contemporary horological homage. Following the classical codes of traditional English chronometer movements, the main pivoting elements such as the wheels, barrels, the tourbillon, and others are each mounted on their own bridge.
The triangular, multilevel bridges (no less than thirteen) are mostly skeletonized, providing a more contemporary sense of three-dimensional depth to the entire timepiece.
The tourbillon, a central element of this timepiece, is highlighted in a most magnificent manner. Held by a skeletonized and mirror-polished top bridge, the one-minute tourbillon features a typically Arnold & Son three-spoke design. Weighing mere fractions of a gram, the tourbillon cage consists of no less than 58 components.
Prominently positioned on the dial side, the tourbillon can also be viewed from the back, thanks to an opening in the main plate. The same kind of opening is made below the small seconds display, adding to the symmetry of the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36.
The apparent technical virtuosity of the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is not only a treat for the eyes, as the watch is a COSC certified chronometer; something of a rare achievement for a tourbillon-equipped timepiece.
The decorative haute horlogerie arts are also lavishly demonstrated in the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36. The entirely in-house conceived and manufactured A&S8600 calibre features a smooth sand-blasted main plate and bridges with chamfered and polished edges.
The main plate and bridges are treated with a golden coating, echoing the aesthetics of the historical pocket watches made by John Arnold. The main plate also is set with several mirror-polished 18k gold chatons, while the wheels in the gear train are embellished with circular satin finishing with chamfered and polished edges. Even the screws are beveled and feature with mirror-polished heads.
The heart of the watch, the tourbillon, features a traditional construction with a top bridge, while the mirror-polished cage has the signature Arnold & Son three-spoke design, making a complete turn in 60 seconds. The double barrels, embellished with laser-engraving decoration, provide a considerable power reserve of 90 hours when fully wound.
The Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is available in red gold as well as stainless steel, limited to 28 examples in each version.
The red gold version of the Arnold and Son Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 watch is priced at CHF 52’800 whereas Stainless steel case version costs CHF 34’900 excluding VAT.
Technical details
Model: Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36
Movement
Calibre: A&S8600
Manufacture Arnold & Son calibre, hand-wound, 33 jewels, diameter 37.8 mm, thickness 5.9 mm, power reserve 90 h, double barrel, 4 Hz / 28’800, COSC certified
Functions
Hours, minutes, small seconds, tourbillon
Movement decoration
Nickel-silver and steel movement, 5N red gold treated bridges and main plate with Haute Horlogerie finishing: sand blasted bridges with chamfered and polished edges, 18k gold chatons, screws with bevelled and mirror-polished heads
Tourbillon cage: mirror-polished with hand-chamfered polished edges and circular satin-finished surfaces
Dial
Inner bezel NAC treated with rhodium indexes
Case
18-karat red gold or stainless steel, diameter 46 mm, cambered sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides, see-through sapphire case back, water-resistant to 30 m
Strap
Hand-stitched brown or black alligator leather
Limited edition
28 timepieces in each version
References
Red gold: 1ETAR.G01A.C112A
Stainless steel: 1ETAS.G01A.C112S
Recommended Retail Prices
– Red gold case, CHF 52’800 (VAT excl.)
– Stainless steel case, CHF 34’900 (VAT excl.)
