Arnold & Son is mostly known with extreme complications and limited editions which are simply not for everyone. In the meantime, those watches are not easy to get either. With the Eight-Day Royal Navy, the brand seems to be interested about simpler and relatively more affordable timepieces.
The brand has a long history which dates back to 18th century. Supplying precise marine chronometers to navigators, Arnold & Son had built strong reputation. The relation with the marine background is quite obvious in the brands timepieces especially in the Royal Collection.
Tributing to the British side of its history, Arnold & Son announced the Eight-Day Royal Navy model to be officially launched at Baselworld 2016.
Arnold & Son Eight-Day Royal Navy features the classic marine chronometer layout dial which we are also familiar with the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer product line. The dial sports separate sub dials for the seconds and the power reserve indicator. The date display is located at 6 o’clock position with a matching background disk helping the display blend with the rest of the dial nicely.
The dial also features the indexes/hands presented in the Royal Collection models and the brand classic Gullioche dial with wave pattern accompanied with an applied translucent lacquer, in a choice of silver, blue or black.
The stainless steel case has a diameter of 43mm which makes it a relatively large one. Despite the large diameter, the thickness is measured at 10.7mm. The case sports a full mirror polished surface with a classical round shape. In order to support the thin looks, the case is stepped and tapers from top to bottom smoothly.
The case sports double sapphire crystals on the front and back side with AR coating.
Arnold & Son Eight-Day Royal Navy is powered up with an in-house designed and manufactured movement Calibre A&S1016. The movement offers an impressing 8 days power reserve thanks to its parallel located twin barrels.
Besides its fascinating technical details, the movement also sports classic details of traditional watch making. The bridges, which are designed wide open to reveal the inner parts (escapement, barrels and wheels), are decorated with Cotes de Geneve stripes, rhodium coated and edges are chambered and polished. The main plate sports the traditional fine circular graining. Finally, screws are blued and the important jewels (those holding the barrels and the intermediate wheel) are inserted in solid gold chatons, secured with blued screws. This movement is large (33mm) but rather thin (4.7mm), considering the long power reserve.
3 editions of the Arnold and Son Eight-Day Royal Navy will be available, all in stainless steel:
Blue dial, with blue leather strap: 1EDAS.U01A.D136A
Black dial, with black leather strap: 1EDAS.B01A.D134A
Silver dial with brown leather strap: 1EDAS.S01A.D135A
Availability and price will be announced during Baselworld 2016. Stay tune for exclusive photo shoot for Arnold and Son Eight-Day Royal Navy and more..!
