The Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11

Arnold & Son presents the restricted version Fixed Pressure Tourbillon 11, a classical magnificence impressed by the primary tourbillon created by Abraham-Louis Breguet primarily based on John Arnold’s marine chronometer motion no. 11. Reunited as soon as once more, the yellow gold watch, with a continuing power mechanism on the dial and a tourbillon regulator on the caseback, is a becoming tribute to the 2 legendary watchmakers.

Two of essentially the most illustrious minds in horology within the second half of the 18^th century, John Arnold (1736-1799) and Abraham-Louis Breguet (1747-1823), cast a friendship primarily based on mutual admiration. Arnold was taken by the understated design of Breguet’s watches, whereas Breguet was fascinated by Arnold’s deceptively easy mechanisms able to ranges of chronometric precision that no different watchmaker of the time might emulate. Breguet travelled steadily to London between 1789 and 1791, sharing data and breakthroughs within the science of timekeeping with Arnold.

Whereas Arnold targeting optimising his detent escapement and growing balances to mass-produce marine chronometers for the British Admiralty, Breguet continued to work on his “rotating carriage” or tourbillon. In honour of his English buddy, Breguet primarily based his first tourbillon regulator on the motion of Arnold’s marine chronometer no. 11. Now exhibited within the British Museum, Breguet’s tourbillon includes a plaque inscribed with the next dedication: “The primary tourbillon regulator by Breguet integrated in one of many first works of Arnold. Breguet’s homage to the revered reminiscence of Arnold. Offered to his son within the 12 months 1808.”

Arnold & Son pays homage to John Arnold’s pocket watches with its classical 41.5mm yellow gold case design. The slim bezel, with a barely domed sapphire crystal, frames the gorgeous Grand Feu enamel dial, a nod to Arnold’s marine chronometers. Produced by a specialised enameller, the lustrous white enamel dial options two openings for the fixed power mechanism and the white opal sub-dial with black Roman numerals. For the primary time at Arnold & Son, the opal sub-dial is concave and positioned at an angle to boost legibility.

Powered by the manual-winding A&S5219 calibre, the patented fixed power mechanism between the going prepare and the tourbillon may be appreciated on the dial. It’s designed to clean out the vitality delivered by the 2 barrels, stopping extreme or inadequate torque from affecting the oscillations of the stability within the tourbillon cage. A yellow gold openworked bridge secures the fixed power mechanism and permits a deadbeat seconds indication by way of the flame-blued anchor on the fixed power mechanism.

Impressed by the timepiece within the British Museum, the caseback reveals the one-minute tourbillon carriage secured by a skinny, polished, rounded bridge with a variable inertia stability. Furthermore, the T-shaped retaining spring is impressed by Breguet’s para-chute shock safety system. Nonetheless, as an alternative of the detent escapement of the unique, the watch has a Swiss lever escapement and twin barrels for the sturdy 100-hour energy reserve.

Superbly hand-finished with blued screws and golden, grained and bevelled barrel and tourbillon bridges, there’s a new hand-engraved textual content that reads: “To the revered reminiscence of John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. Mates of their time, legendary watchmakers all the time.” Restricted to 11 timepieces, the watch retails for CHF 129,800 (incl. tax). Extra data at arnoldandson.com.