Arnold & Son has introduced the Globetrotter 42 Steel, an updated version of its world time watch, which until now has been available in a 45 mm case size in precious metal and steel cases. The Globetrotter 42 Steel is available in 2 editions: Strand Blue (header image) and Greenwich Green.
“The decision was also made to present the dials of both versions of the Globetrotter 42 Steel in classic English colours. This is a signature of the design and naming traditions that run through all Arnold & Son ranges. The ‘Strand Blue’ model is therefore a reference to the London street that runs parallel to the River Thames and on which John Arnold’s shop was located. The colours of the ‘Greenwich Green’ version were chosen to recall the wooded hills that surround the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.”
Key Features
Functions and Operation
Image: Greenwich Green. Notice the ruby in the centre of the bridge. It holds the Earth dome in place. A world time watch allows the wearer to dream of palm trees in another country.
Hours and minutes – indicated by the two hands (arrow tips) pointing to the Roman numerals on the outer dial.
World time – displayed on the 24-hour ring. The position of the 12 cities on the Earth dome corresponds to their (approximate) location on the world map. The Earth dome represents the northern hemisphere as viewed from the North Pole, and completes a clockwise rotation once every 24 hours.
The bridge or arch in the middle of the dial separates day and night. Daytime hours are above the bridge, and nighttime hours are below the bridge. The 24-hour ring is stationery.
Synchronizing the time zone on the Earth dome with the local time as displayed by the hour and minute hands is done using the 3-position crown at 3 o’clock. The 3rd position is to set the wearer’s chosen region with the desired time – clockwise or anti-clockwise. Both the Earth dome and the hands move. The 2nd position is to set the local time hour – clockwise or anti-clockwise. The 1st position is for winding the watch.
Dial
Left: Strand Blue. Right: Greenwich Green. Both dials feature an abundance of details.
Strand Blue
Sunray-brushed ring with 12-hour display. Rhodium finish with blue Roman numerals. Arrow tips of the hour and minute hands are coated with luminescent material.
Bead-blasted 24-hour display. Rhodium finish with blue Arabic numerals.
Cities – powered and silver finish. Continents – sunray-brushed and rhodium finish. Oceans – polished and ‘Strand Blue’ colour.
Bridge: Made from steel. Polished surfaces and chamfered. Blue screws.
Left: Strand Blue. Right: Greenwich Green. Lume view is slightly different on both.
Greenwich Green
Sunray-brushed ring with 12-hour display. Green with gold-finish Roman numerals. Arrow tips of the hour and minute hands are coated with luminescent material.
Bead-blasted 24-hour display. Green with gold-finish Arabic numerals.
Cities – powered and gold-finish (4N). Continents – sunray-brushed and gold-finish (4N). Oceans – polished and ‘Greenwich Green’ colour.
Bridge: Made from steel. Polished surfaces and chamfered. Gold-finish (4N) screws.
Movement
Image: Notice the skeletonised automatic winding rotor and blued screws.
Powered by A&S6122, a manufacture mechanical automatic movement that drives the hours, minutes, and word time function. Diameter: 36.40 mm. Thickness: 6.74 mm. Jewels: 29. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve: 55 hours.
Movement finishing incudes: Main plate is circular-grained and palladium-treated. Bridges feature a ‘Rayons de la Gloire’ finish, are chamfered, and palladium-treated. Wheels feature a circular satin-finish. Screws are blued, chamfered, and feature polished heads. The engraved and skeletonised automatic winding rotor is made from tungsten and is palladium-treated.
Case
Image: Greenwich Green edition on the wrist. Its more wearable due to its reduced and more compact dimensions. Notice the brand’s maritime heritage inspired logo embossed on the crown.
Case is made from stainless steel. Diameter: 42 mm. Thickness: 15.10 mm (not including the bridge).
Dial side features a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Caseback features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Water resistant up to 3 bar or approximately 30 metres.
Strand Blue edition comes with an ink blue alligator leather strap. Greenwich Green edition comes with a Cornwall green alligator leather strap. Both straps are fitted to a pin buckle made from stainless steel.
Our Thoughts
Image: I love how Arnold & Son have replicated a globe with a northern hemisphere map on the dial. Although a modern watch in both concept and execution, it evokes vintage vibes and resembles a navigation instrument. “It is worth remembering that the English watchmakers John Arnold and his son John Roger were pioneers in the field of timepieces designed for travel and exploration. In 1771, their creations were tested at sea by Admiral Harland, then used successfully on ships as navigational instruments for calculating longitude.”
World time watches have been around for a while – I think the 1930’s or so – and is a much sought-after horological complication. Rado’s Captain Cook Over-Pole, SpaceOne’s WorldTimer, Frederique Constant’s Classic Worldtimer Manufacture and their collaboration with Watch Angels, and Patek Philippe’s World Time with Date, Reference 5330G-001 are few examples across the horological spectrum.
Like Arnold & Son (part of Manufacture La-Joux Perret S.A. and Angelus), the Frederique Constant Group (which owns Alpina, Ateliers DeMonaco, and Frederique Constant) is owned by Japan’s Citizen Group.
Arnold & Son does an excellent job of historically connecting its watches with the original works and legacy of John Arnold (1736 – 1799) – the famed English watchmaker, inventor, and namesake of the present brand. The brand’s Constant Force Tourbillon 11, yellow gold edition is one such example.
Image: Strand Blue edition is my personal favourite. Both versions promise to be a conversation starter at watch GTGs. Rarity is ensured as both editions are limited to 88 pieces each.
The Globetrotter 42 Steel is well-executed and an original interpretation of a world time watch. A glance at the 24-hour disc and 12 cities on the Earth dome enables the wearer to know the time across the 24 time zones in the world. Like most world time watches, the Globetrotter 42 Steel does not account for countries offset by half (e.g. India) and quarter (e.g. Nepal) time zones.
With its slightly reduced dimensions (42 * 15.10 mm vs the original versions 45 * 17.26 mm) and new dial execution, it is more wearable and tempting. When combined with its well-finished manufacture movement, and abundance of overall details, its price of CHF 18,300 seems like a relative bargain at this level of horology. Whether one is an actual globetrotter or just needs to know the time elsewhere, the Globetrotter 42 Steel is a compelling world time watch to have.
Additional Details
Name: Globetrotter 42 Steel ‘Strand Blue’
Reference: 1WTBS.K01A.C0263S
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 18,300 including VAT (Swiss retail price)
Limited edition of 88 pieces.
Name: Globetrotter 42 Steel ‘Greenwich Green’
Reference: 1WTBS.F01A.C1242S
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 18,300 including VAT (Swiss retail price)
Limited edition of 88 pieces.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
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