Arnold & Son, Swiss Made...in England !
One of the most revered names in English watchmaking lore and precision watchmaking at large, Arnold & Son is the stuff of legends.
John Arnold was born 1736 in Cornwall, the son of a watchmaker. One could say his destiny was already written. After completing an apprenticeship with his father at the age of 19, he spent a few years in the Netherlands to hone his watchmaking skills and learn German. Upon his return to England, he establishes his workshop in London in 1762 and begins gaining recognition.
Thus began the first part of John Arnold’s illustrious career. In 1764, he makes a ring containing a half-quarter repeater – the smallest ever made – which he presented to King George III. This granted him fame and fortune in England, where he would continue creating ornate pieces for the wealthy. But his real passion was in developing precision chronometry.
And so in 1770, John Arnold presented his first marine chronometer to the Board of Longitude. Impressed by the watch’s quality and performance, the Board awarded John Arnold a grant of £200, the first of many grants he was to receive throughout his career. In the following years, John Arnold would experiment on different forms and materials for the balance wheel and balance spring. During this time, his marine chronometers would accompany some of the greatest explorers of the 18th and 19th century on their expeditions, including Captain Cook’s second voyage to the Pacific, Captain Phipps for his voyage towards the North Pole, and Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated expedition to the Northwest Passage.
Today, Arnold & Son is a brand that looks forward while simultaneously paying homage and perpetuating the work and legacy of John Arnold, undoubtedly one of the greatest watchmakers who ever lived. With a full-fledged manufacture at its disposal, Arnold & Son has been producing extraordinary and easily recognizable timepieces.
Spread across two collections, the Instrument Collection and Royal Collection, Arnold & Son reimagines watch complications and constructions in unprecedented ways. There are a number of traits that bring all Arnold & Son timepieces together, existing in varying extents between one model and other.
For one, there is symmetry. From the TB88 and Constant Force Tourbillon to the Nebula, these watches boast an almost perfectly symmetrical construction of the movement, with bridges, barrels and other components pleased in a visually harmonious manner. The same applies to its award-winning Time Pyramid, a skeleton watch inspired by ornate antique British skeleton clocks that were popular in the 19th century.
Another common Arnold & Son attribute is oversized complications. With the HM Perpetual Moon and HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon for example, Arnold & Son has taken the traditional moonphase complication and produced one of the largest moon displays ever seen on a wristwatch. Not only visually enchanting, the moon phase is accurate to one day’s deviation in over a century. The same can be said of its more recent globetrotter, a world-time watch that houses one of the largest, three-dimensional hemispherical world-time indications on any watch.
And last but certainly not least, Arnold & Son has used the True Beat or dead-beat seconds in more ways than any other brand, and not just in highly complicated watches. From the DSTB with its dial-side seconds mechanism, in steel or rose gold, to the Golden Wheel, the first timepiece to incorporate a True Beat seconds hand with a wandering hours display, Arnold & Son has paid tribute to its history of high-precision chronometers in unexpected ways.
Chronopassion is an AUTHORIZED RETAILER of Arnold & Son since 2016.
The Arnold & Son Collections: Between Watchmaking Tradition and British Ingenuity
Founded as a tribute to John Arnold, a visionary 18th-century British watchmaker, Arnold & Son perpetuates a unique heritage where precision, elegance and watchmaking technique come together. The brand, renowned for its daring complications and sophisticated designs, offers collections inspired by the art and science of time. Discover the main families of Arnold & Son watches, each embodying a unique facet of this exceptional watchmaking house.
Royal Collection: The Elegance of Haute Horlogerie Classique
The Royal Collection pays tribute to the elegance and British heritage of Arnold & Son, with models inspired by 18th-century pocket watches and marine chronometers. Exquisitely finished, these classic watches feature highly mastered complications, such as the Perpetual Moon with its majestic moon phase, or the Double Tourbillon Escapement Dual Time, which combines two time zones in a refined design. The Royal Collection is ideal for haute horlogerie enthusiasts looking for timeless style and exceptional precision.
Instrument Collection: A Passion for Exploration and Precision
Inspired by John Arnold’s navigation tools and marine chronometers, the Instrument Collection is designed for those who appreciate precision and functionality. These watches, like the Globetrotter and True Beat, are distinguished by their technical complications, innovative dials and in-house movements developed for optimum accuracy. The Instrument collection is perfect for modern watch enthusiasts who want a timepiece that is both practical and sophisticated.
Nebula: dazzling movement architecture
Nebula is a singular collection that celebrates the inner beauty of mechanical watchmaking. With a perfectly symmetrical skeletonized movement, it exposes every detail of its architecture. The Nebula is distinguished by its airy design and absolute transparency, offering an unobstructed view of the internal components. This watch is an ideal choice for watch enthusiasts who wish to appreciate the art and craft of mechanical engineering in a modern, artistic presentation.
Time Pyramid: Symmetry and Transparency Reinvented
Inspired by 19th-century English pyramid regulators, the Time Pyramid is a masterpiece of horological architecture. This model features a linear, transparent movement that offers a fascinating view of every level of the watch, from the barrel to the hands. With its unique dial and impeccable finishing, the Time Pyramid is an avant-garde watch that combines technical innovation with structured design. It is ideal for those seeking an intriguing and artistically elaborate timepiece.
Luna Magna : The Art and Science of Moon Phases
The Luna Magna collection is an ode to the moon-phase complication, sublimated in a striking three-dimensional format. With an exceptional display, including a full-hemisphere moon phase and luminous details, the Luna Magna offers a poetic and fascinating representation of the lunar cycles. This model is aimed at connoisseurs of fine watchmaking who want an innovative, poetic timepiece designed to capture the imagination.
Conclusion
The Arnold & Son collections exemplify exceptional craftsmanship and refined style, recalling the heritage of one of the pioneers of precision watchmaking. Whether through the timeless elegance of the Royal Collection, the technical precision of the Instrument Collection, or the architectural fascination of the Nebula and Time Pyramid, each Arnold & Son watch is an invitation to travel through time and space. Explore our collections to discover unique timepieces designed for connoisseurs of fine watchmaking and history buffs.
