By Carl Scutt
It may come as some surprise to our readers that being a Brit comes with a mixed bag of emotions. On one hand, I know we as a nation have a rich history, but recent political events have really taken the shine off being British.
There are, however, reasons to feel a sense of pride when this small island nation can stand up to proclaim themselves master watchmakers. Not only are there Christopher Ward and Bremont, but today I want to pull on your coat about Arnold & Son, the historic British brand.
Originally a true British brand Arnold & Son are now part of the Citizen group but that’s just modern economics at the end of the day. Being part of the Citizen group doesn’t detract from the historical routes or the engineering, if anything, it cements the brand’s place in an ever more challenging marketplace.
New Ideas
Arnold & Son have always been seen as a maker of complications and the re-imagining of the Globetrotter is no exception, with its interpretation of the World Time function.
Looking at the new Globetrotter the first thing you will notice is the four-legged bridge reaching from the 3 and 9 o’clock position, spanning the exquisitely detailed 3D globe, produced from a thin brass plate with etched detail. From behind the globe, two hands of blued-steel with red lacquer provide hour and minute markers and a sapphire disk arcs over the globe to provide 24 scale.
Turning the piece over the full view of the magnificent movement is given through a full case back window. From here the wearer can appreciate the design and beauty of this movement that is as much art as it is engineering
The Power House
The caliber running at the heart of the Globetrotter is the in-house Caliber A&S6022, a fine example of an Haute Horlogerie, with hand-chamfered bridges, polished edges, and fine circular graining plus Côtes de Genève rayonnantes. The dial plate NAC treated with large circular finishing, satin-finished wheels and screws, together with bevelled polished heads. Notice the rotor is also NAC grey treated, skeletonized with brushed surfaces and hobnail pattern to complete the assembly.
The Details
The case is a 45mm stainless steel equipped with anti-glare coated scratch resistant sapphire both front and back while still offering a 30 meters water resistance, which no mean feat. The functions are adjusted by the single winding crown from this movement operating at 4Hz (28.800vph) and offering 45 hours of power reserve.
All this can be yours for a modest MSRP is 14,900 CHF. For more info, visit Arnold & Son online.
