The narrative of horology is enriched not only by groundbreaking technical innovations but also by the personal connections between the passionate geniuses who drove the art forward. With the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 series, Arnold & Son continues its dedication to celebrating the enduring bond between two giants of watchmaking history: John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. This particular timepiece is a profound tribute, marrying Breguet’s celebrated tourbillon escapement with a modern constant force mechanism—a sophisticated replacement for Arnold's beloved, yet complex, fusée-and-chain system. After the initial debut in yellow gold with a serene white Grand Feu enamel dial, Arnold & Son has now unveiled the exquisite Platinum Edition, featuring a captivating and highly special hand-engraved dial that elevates the series’ prestige.
The case, which is fully polished, is executed in robust platinum, measuring a contemporary 41.5mm in diameter and a notable 13.7mm in height. These dimensions are a reasonable necessity, given the intricate space requirements of housing both the tourbillon and the constant force mechanism. The watch is protected by domed sapphire crystals on both the dial and caseback, both treated with anti-reflective (AR) coating. A finely proportioned crown is found on the right, featuring a fluted edge for excellent grip and the Arnold & Son anchor logo in relief, adding a classical touch to the overall aesthetic. The watch offers a 30m water-resistance rating, providing assurance of its robust construction.
The Platinum Edition is marking a significant departure from its predecessor's tranquil white enamel, showcasing instead a base dial of solid 18k yellow gold. This base has been meticulously hand-engraved by a master artisan with the unique Arnold & Son “fern” pattern. The motif itself is inspired by the fern-covered moors surrounding Tintagel, Cornwall, the historical birthplace of John Arnold. The craftsman’s irregular, zig-zagging cuts across the gold base are engineered to scatter reflections in a multitude of ways, resulting in a visually spectacular and highly dynamic presentation that captures the essence of artisanal craftsmanship.
Time is indicated on a white opal, concave sub-dial located in the top-left corner of the main dial. This sub-dial features classic black Roman numerals and flame-blued hour and minute hands, distinguished by openworked tips. Crucially, the constant force mechanism and the tourbillon, the watch’s key technical elements, are prominently displayed on the dial side. The large, anchor-shaped seconds hand, also flame-blued, functions as a deadbeat seconds indicator—a classical stylistic element frequently seen in Arnold & Son’s timepieces and a direct nod to John Arnold's profound legacy in marine chronometry.
At the heart of the timepiece is the Calibre A&S5219, an in-house manual-winding movement. It measures 33mm in diameter and 10.48mm in thickness. This sophisticated calibre masterfully integrates a constant force mechanism with a one-minute tourbillon. The constant force device's critical role is to equalize the energy delivered from the twin barrels to the tourbillon escapement, thereby ensuring superior chronometric precision throughout the movement's entire power reserve cycle. The movement beats at a rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and, thanks to the double-barrel system, provides an impressive 100-hour power reserve.
The movement’s finishing is executed to the stringent standards of *Haute Horlogerie*. The back of the movement features an engraved plaque at the top, which serves as a poignant dedication to the historic alliance: "To the revered memory of John Arnold and Abraham-Louis-Breguet. Friends in their time, legendary watchmakers always." Below this inscription, a large bridge for the tourbillon escapement is visible, finished with a frosted surface and immaculate hand-bevelled edges. The remaining movement elements feature a golden mainplate and barrel bridge with a grained finish, contrasted by a mirror-polished tourbillon bridge and carriage plate, all held together by blued screws.
The new Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Platinum Edition is limited to a mere 11 pieces. Each watch is paired with an elegant midnight blue alligator leather strap, complemented by a black alligator leather lining and a platinum folding clasp.
