By Jovan Krstevski
Looks like we are going to have a white gold limited edition DTSB featuring the outstanding craftsmanship of Arnold & Son. To the uninitiated, the DTSB (Dial Side True Beat) features an exhibition movement that is solely used on chronometers. What I am excited for are the price points of these mechanical timepieces which are astonishingly low. Remember that John Arnold and his son were the pioneers of reasonably priced chronometers which are undoubtedly made with technical superiority which practically solves the problem of determining longitude at sea.
Okay so let us go over the case design before anything else particularly the stunning true beat’s seconds mechanism on the very front face of the watch. The 43.5 mm 18 k white gold case looks pretty neat and rather subtle for a complicated watch. Although it does look larger at that size but then we are talking about a chronometer with an outstanding design. I just love the bezel and the crown, very well made and so clean. Plus the lugs hug the case as if you don’t notice it at all. That is perfect since you don’t want any excess attention to the eye candy which is central on the dial through the cambered sapphire with antireflective coating on both sides which also protects the exhibition caseback.
So that brings us to the domed dial with white lacquered accents for the hour readings which makes up 50 percent of the dial real estate. The rest goes to the true beat’s seconds mechanism presented entirely on the dial complete with the hands, the lever, the wheels and the three palladium-treated true beat seconds bridges. True to its heritage, the true beat seconds lever is shaped like an anchor bowing to Arnold’s maritime achievements. The watch practically demonstrated its rich British history and quality Swiss craftsmanship. Personally, I find the three-dimensional dial to be complicated enough yet remains practical. Remember that there is an interplay of intricate mechanisms playing along on the dial which is pretty much very exciting to say the least.
Nonetheless, power is provided by an in-house calibre A&S6003. The movement is self-winding and consists of 229 moving parts. The Arnold & Son DNA is everywhere on the movement such as the featured Haute Horlogerie finishing with hand-chamfered and satin-finished lever and bridges. It also boasts of polished edges and fine circular graining and Côtes de Genève rayonnantes. I am also amused of the visible blue PVD treated dial plate sporting screws with bevelled and mirror-polished heads. And if it is not enough, turn the watch over and just look through the magnificent caseback and admire the solid 22-carat red gold guilloché oscillating weight sporting the company’s branding.
Perhaps what makes this timepiece really incredible is its numbers. There will be 125 pieces to be built and judging from that number, it is really limited. Besides you get to wear this on hand-stitched black or brown alligator leather. Also, if you are wondering if this chronometer is up to the test, well it is and pretty much it is water resistant up to 30 m.
For more info, please visit arnoldandson.com
JOVAN KRSTEVSKI – FOUNDER, PROPRIETOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR
Watch collector, aficionado and an Event profile in the Swedish nightlife. He launched Watchgeek back in 2011, which is now known as WristReview and is one of the most widely read watch blogs on the Web. He quotes ’WristReview is a site to help people find, explore, discover and enjoy wristwatches.’ His passion jump started in his early teens when he was given his first mid-range wristwatch which was an Omega Seamaster. Since then he has always been in love with wristwatches! Besides WristReview, he also writes for a number of publications. Read his articles here
