Arnold & Son Year of the Tiger Perpetual Moon Limited Edition
To celebrate the start of the New Year in the traditional Chinese astrological calendar, Arnold & Son is releasing a limited edition comprising eight pieces of its high-precision phases of the moon model. The Arnold & Son Year of the Tiger Perpetual Moon features a sculpted golden tiger against a backdrop in specular hematite, a rare and expressive stone.
The Year of the Tiger starts on Tuesday 1 February 2022. The tiger’s courage and power are tempered by the element of water. The animal featured on the dial of the “Year of the Tiger” Perpetual Moon is therefore standing on a riverbank.
On the canvas offered by the dial of this exceptional piece, Arnold & Son has accommodated a large moon. In a wide window a turning disc reveals the waxing and waning of the celestial body, the appearance of the crescent moon and its light. This moon is crafted from mother-of-pearl enhanced with Super-LumiNova, and its relief is painted.
In daylight it is grey, almost white. In the dark it lights up from the interior and takes on a new aspect, brimming with gleaming detail. This is complemented by all the aquatic details on the dial, also hand-painted with luminous pigments. In the background, the disc bearing the star is made from a deep black aventurine glass.
The centrepiece of this dial is, however, the tiger itself. Sculptured in three dimensions, it is crafted from 18-carat rose gold. Its expression, its pose and the details of its fur are hand-engraved and -burnished. This meticulous, high-calibre work is a testimony to Arnold & Son’s exceptional attention to detail in their limited editions paying tribute to the Chinese zodiac.
The same holds true for the dial. A decoration depicting bamboo is painted in gold powder on the hematite disc with glittering inclusions. To round off this dazzling scene, the “Year of the Tiger” Perpetual Moon is mounted on a glistening black alligator strap backed with red alligator leather and stitched with platinum thread.
Like all the movements used by Arnold & Son, the A&S1512 calibre was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up between the walls of the brand’s manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This calibre is based on two barrels with an oscillation frequency of 3 Hz, giving a 90-hour power reserve. The moon-phase display of this movement will remain accurate for 122 years before deviating from the actual lunar cycle by one day.
Technical details
Model: Arnold & Son Year of the Tiger Perpetual Moon Limited Edition
Reference: 1GLBR.Z03A.C161A
Functions
Hours, minutes, astronomical moon-phases, second indicator of moon-phases on the case back
Movement
Calibre A&S1512
Hand-wound mechanical movement
Jewels: 27
Diameter: 34 mm
Thickness: 5.35 mm
Power reserve: 90 hours
Frequency: 3 Hz / 21,600 vph
Finishes
Main plate: rhodium-plated, radiating Côtes de Genève stripes
Bridges: polished and chamfered
Wheels: circular satin-finished
Screws: blued and chamfered, polished heads
Second moon-phase indicator: rhodium-plated and circular graining
Dial
Stone: Specular hematite
Tiger: 18-carat rose gold (4N), engraved and burnished by hand
Landscape: Hand-painted with rose gold powder, enhanced with Super-LumiNova
Sky: Black aventurine glass
Stars: Hand-painted, with added Super-LumiNova
Moon: Mother-of-pearl disc with added Super-LumiNova, hand-painted details
Case
Material: 18-carat red gold (5N)
Diameter: 42 mm
Thickness: 12.16 mm
Crystal: Domed sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on both sides
Case back: Sapphire, anti-reflective
Water-resistance: 30 m / 100 feet
Strap
Materials: Glistening black alligator leather, red alligator leather backing, platinum thread (Pt950), hand-stitched
Buckle: Pin buckle, 18-carat red gold (5N)
Edition
Limited edition of 8 timepieces
Global retail price
CHF 52,900 excl. tax (may be subject to modifications)
