2018 marks 240 years
since the creation of John Arnold's historically significant
Chronometer No. 1/36, the first time-measuring instrument to be
called a "chronometer" for its unprecedented precision. To mark the
historical milestone, Arnold & Son is proud to introduce a
modern homage edition of the Tourbillon Chronometer No.36, a
COSC-certified Tourbillon wristwatch.
The first commemorative
edition of the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 unveiled last year
featured a more traditional English frosted gilt finish on the
movement, produced as a limited edition series that immediately
become a must-have for aficionados of Arnold & Son timepieces
and precision chronometers. The 240th anniversary Tribute Edition
of the Tourbillon Chronometer No.36 offers the opportunity to
acquire this exceptional and contemporary reinterpretation of John
Arnold's revered chronometer, and thus will be produced as a
non-limited production series in red gold and stainless steel
models.
The John Arnold
Chronometer No. 1/36 or "Arnold 36" as it is more commonly called
was not only the first pocket watch by John Arnold to use a larger
movement with his compensation "T" balance, but also the first to
be referred to as a "chronometer" for its extraordinary timekeeping
performance. A technical revolution at the time, the John Arnold
No. 1/36 built in 1778 displayed vastly superior chronometry
compared to every other watch at the time, that after the hugely
successful 13-month trials at the Greenwich Observatory in 1779,
John Arnold coined the term "chronometer" to refer to the No. 1/36
pocket chronometer, which marked a new era of unprecedented
precision in timekeeping. In this respect, the Tourbillon
Chronometer No.36 pays tribute to the legendary high-precision
chronometer in a faithful yet contemporary manner.
John Arnold (1736-99)
successfully found the way to simplify Harrison's timekeeper
design. This watch, No 1/36, made in 1778, went so well on trial at
Greenwich that Arnold decided to give it a new name. In the
pamphlet he published in 1780 advertising his achievement, he
called the timekeeper a 'chronometer' and was thus the person who
invented the term in its modern sense. The watch is in fact a
pocket chronometer housed in a 22-carat gold case.
Following the classical
codes of traditional English chronometer movements, the main
pivoting elements such as the wheels, barrels, the tourbillon, and
others are each mounted on their own bridge. The triangular,
multilevel bridges (no less than thirteen) are mostly skeletonized,
providing a more contemporary sense of three-dimensional depth to
the entire timepiece.
The tourbillon, a central
element of this timepiece, is highlighted in a most magnificent
manner. Held by a skeletonized and mirror-polished top bridge, the
one-minute tourbillon features a typically Arnold & Son
three-spoke design. Weighing mere fractions of a gram, the
tourbillon cage consists of no less than 58 components. Prominently
positioned on the dial side, the tourbillon can also be viewed from
the back, thanks to an opening in the main plate. The same kind of
opening is made below the small seconds display, adding to the
symmetry of the Tourbillon Chronometer No.36.
The apparent technical
virtuosity of the Tourbillon Chronometer No.36 is not only a treat
for the eyes, as the watch is a COSC certified chronometer;
something of a rare achievement for a tourbillon-equipped
timepiece.
The decorative haute
horlogerie arts are also lavishly demonstrated in the Tourbillon
Chronometer No.36. The entirely in-house conceived and manufactured
A&S8600 movement features a lightly grained sand-blasted main
plate treated with a main plate in NAC grey in the Red Gold
version, while the Steel version has a more contemporary black DLC
surface. The bridges are satin-brushed with chamfered and polished
edges, and are done in a lighter palladium tone on the Red Gold
version, and NAC grey in the Steel version. The main plate also is
set with several mirror-polished 18k white gold chatons, while the
wheels in the gear train are embellished with circular satin
finishing with chamfered and polished edges. Even the screws are
beveled and feature with mirror-polished heads.
The heart of the watch,
the tourbillon, features a traditional construction with a top
bridge, while the mirror-polished cage has the signature Arnold
& Son three-spoke design, making a complete turn in 60
seconds.
The double barrels,
embellished with laser-engraving decoration, provide a considerable
power reserve of 90 hours when fully wound.