The tourbillon movement, one of the most elegant complications
in the world of horology, has played a crucial role in Arnold &
Son's history. An exceptional watchmaker, John Arnold was an active
participant in one of the most extraordinary partnerships in the
world of innovative horology. Indeed, both he and A.-L. Breguet
worked closely, sharing both their knowledge and passion. Evidence
of their partnership is A.-L. Breguet's first ever tourbillon
mounted in John Arnold's No. 11 movement, a watch that can be found
today in London's British Museum.
Esthetically what sets Arnold & Son's new Tourbillon TE8
apart is its unique "English" design: the dial is a ¾ wave-form
cut-out on the barrel bridge, the tourbillon and motion-work
bridges are triangular, and even the three-spoke wheels are shaped
with a distinctive flare. This same three-spoke design can
also be found in the tourbillon cage as well. The chiseled
decoration, reminiscent of waves, is a nod to the nautical world
and to history's great seamen and explorers such as James Cook, who
entrusted their lives and that of their men to John Arnold's
timepieces.
When compared to more conventional tourbillons found today, the
TE8 model is said to be "inverted", that is to say most technical
elements and visually interesting features are shown on the dial
side, when those would normally be hidden on the reverse of the
dial. Other typically English technical idiosyncrasies will seduce
even the most demanding watch connoisseurs. Take, for instance, the
symmetrical layout of the movement; to achieve such a feat requires
overcoming a number of technical challenges. Thus the barrel spring
and the tourbillon cage are centered along the watch's longitudinal
axis. When examining the winding system, one notes the traditional
construction, which uses wheels with long and narrow spokes known
as wolf's teeth, used to improve the smoothness of the overall
movement.
It goes without saying that every finishing touch on this
striking piece, with such movement decoration as manually chamfered
bridges with polished edges has been done by hand by Arnold &
Son's master watchmakers, thus bringing more brilliance and depth
to each decorative element.
This unique timepiece will be produced in a limited edition of
25 pieces of each version, in a 44 mm 18-carat red gold case or
18-carat white gold case, individually numbered and engraved.
