Celestial brilliance
Arnold & Son set out to create a series of high-end jewellery interpretations of its three-dimensional moon model. In addition to the technical feat of placing a mechanical star measuring 12mm inside a watch, this piece displays superlative jewel-setting ability, both in the stones and techniques used. With paved and invisibly-set precious stones, Arnold & Son have applied their exceptional know-how to creating eight Luna Magna Ultimate I watches. Poetic and rare, they reveal an outstanding level of detail.
Technical Specifications
Functions
Movement
- Calibre:
- A&S1021 (view calibre)
- Jewels:
- 35
- Diameter:
- 37.60 mm
- Thickness:
- 12.00 mm with three-dimensional moon (4.75 mm without moon)
- Power reserve:
- 90 hours
- Frequency:
- 3 Hz / 21,600 vph
Dial
Subdial
Moon phases
Case
- Material:
- 18K white gold, bezel with dual-row invisible setting and studded lugs, with a total of 112 baguette-cut diamonds (~5.90 ct)
- Diameter:
- 44 mm
- Thickness:
- 15.90 mm
- Crystal:
- domed sapphire, with an anti-reflective coating on both sides
- Back:
- sapphire crystal, with an anti-reflecting coating
- Water resistance:
- 3 bar (30 metres/100 feet)
Strap
- Material:
- blue or black alligator leather, hand-stitched
- Buckle:
- pin buckle, 18K white gold, set with 26 baguette-cut diamonds (~0.97 ct)
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Gallery
Precision
The sophistication of this celestial mechanism also lies in its astronomical accuracy. The length of a full moon cycle is 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds. Arnold & Son has produced a likeness such that it would take 122 years for the movement to accrue a one-day interval between the watch display and the true celestial cycle. Nevertheless, this error is easy to correct given that the lunar function on the Luna Magna Ultimate I is directly accessible from the crown. Arnold & Son’s complete mastery of the watchmaking process allows for this practical touch.
High altitude
Only the most precious materials are used in the Luna Magna Ultimate I limited series. The case, measuring 44mm in diameter, is made of white gold and set with 7.62 carats of the highest quality diamonds. These include 20 baguette-cut diamonds on the case’s lugs, cut one by one to fit the unique shape of each mount.
A fine ring resembling the ring around Saturn constitutes the bezel, orbiting the Luna Magna Ultimate I case. It contains 112 baguette-cut diamonds totalling 5.90 carats. Light can enter freely, just as it would an open prism, thanks to the dual-row invisible setting which allows for radiance beyond compare.
Craftsmanship
The Luna Magna Ultimate I is made with the A&S1021 calibre, which is entirely developed, manufactured, assembled and adjusted in-house at Arnold & Son. This hand-wound calibre, designed around the lunar globe, has a power reserve of 90 hours and a regulating organ at a frequency of 3 Hz. As for the case back, the movement provides a second display for the lunar phase, featuring easy-to-read graduations for utmost precision when correcting the lunar globe.
Iridescent display
Within the circle of blue radiance lies a dial in the conventional sense, featuring twelve Roman numeral markings, the Arnold & Son signature and the hands. This off-centre subdial owes its delicate colour to white opal, and its finesse befits a piece of the finest jewellery such as the Luna Magna Ultimate I.
Double hemisphere
Beneath the timepiece, the three-dimensional moon is the standout feature of the Luna Magna watches. Gem-setting of the utmost intricacy coats the entire white gold sphere. It is divided into 161 brilliant-cut diamonds for daytime and as many blue sapphires for night-time. The line between the two colours is a ripple of blue and white along the outline of the stones.
