Arnold & Son has introduced the DSTB 42 – its true-beat seconds model with new dial versions. The DSTB 42 Red Gold with a Mint Green dial and DSTB 42 Platinum with an Ascot Blue dial join the lineup of this model that includes versions in red gold with a sunburst blue dial and platinum with a sunburst salmon dial.
Left: DSTB 42 Red Gold with a sunburst dial with blue PVD treatment. Right: DSTB 42 Platinum with a sunburst dial with salmon PVD treatment. Header image: The new DSTB 42 Platinum with an Ascot Blue dial.
The highlight of this model is the true-beat seconds mechanism on the dial. DSTB is short for “Dial-Side True Beat.”
“The true-beat seconds was intrinsic to the marine chronometers that John Arnold supplied to the Royal Navy. Their escapements beat with the steady rhythm of one oscillation per second, naturally revealed by the second’s hand. With this clear, regular rhythm, Arnold & Son invented one of its most iconic complications: the true-beat seconds, also known as deadbeat seconds.”
Key Features
Functions and Operation
Hours and minutes. True-beat seconds.
Crown at 3 o’clock for winding and time setting.
Dial
Left: DSTB 42 Red Gold with a Mint Green dial. Right: DSTB 42 Platinum with an Ascot Blue dial. Notice the true beat seconds mechanism, bridges, and the large seconds scale. The bridges are made from 18K gold and are polished and chamfered. The opal hour dial with skeletonised and blued hands and Roman numerals is a signature design feature of the brand. The grained finish on both dials makes this model more attractive and appealing.
Two versions
Grained dial with “Mint Green” PVD treatment and “Ascot Blue” PVD treatment.
Opal hour dial with skeletonised and blued hour and minute hands.
“This true-beat seconds mechanism is showcased in a manner befitting its historical importance for Arnold & Son. Choosing to position it on the dial side means the movement must be crossed, adding an additional level to the A&S6203 calibre and requiring the creation of three specific bridges. They are designed in harmony with the Arnold & Son style. Openwork and three-dimensional, they are crafted in solid gold. On these bridges, the seconds hand follows the track stretching between 9 and 12 o’clock, providing balance opposite an off-centred hours and minutes dial in white opal at 5 o’clock. This layout reflects an intentional aesthetic choice, rather than merely a contrived offsetting of the movement, as indicated by the crown, which remains at 3 o’clock.”
Movement
Image: Notice the brand’s maritime inspired logo on the 22K gold skeletonised automatic winding rotor, and the blued screws. Arnold & Son and its sister brand Angelus are part of renown movement maker Manufacture La Joux-Perret.
Powered by A&S6203, a manufacture mechanical automatic movement that drives the hours, minutes, and true-beat seconds. Diameter: 33 mm. Thickness: 5.54 mm. 8.33 mm if the true beat seconds bridges on the dial side are included. Jewels: 32. Frequency: 28,800 vph or 4 Hz. Power reserve: 55 hours.
Movement finishing: Main plate is circular-grained and palladium-treated. Bridges feature a radiating Côtes de Genève finish, and are chamfered, and palladium treated. Wheels are circular grained and polished. Screws are blued, chamfered, and feature polished heads.
“All true-beat seconds require a dedicated mechanism. No wristwatch escapement naturally beats at the rate of one oscillation per second; a frequency designed for certain large-format clocks. The A&S6203 calibre functions at 4 Hz or eight oscillations per second. Creating a second’s hand that jumps from one index to the next requires a dedicated mechanism, similar to an escapement. Developed in-house by Arnold & Son watchmakers and reserved for this collection, the mechanism is fully displayed on the dial side in tribute to the groundbreaking advances that John Arnold brought to marine chronometry.”
Image: The DSTB 42 is among the brand’s most iconic watches. I predict it’s popularity will increase with these new dial versions.
Two versions
Case is made from 18K 5N red gold (Mint Green) and 950 platinum (Ascot Blue). Diameter: 42 mm. Thickness: 12.95 mm.
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.
Mint Green comes with a Cornish green alligator leather strap fitted to a pin buckle made from 18K 5N red gold. Ascot Blue comes with an ink blue alligator leather strap fitted to a pin buckle made from 950 platinum. Both straps are hand stitched.
Our Thoughts
Image: The DSTB 42 with new dials are a beautiful interpretation of a horological complication with maritime and naval roots. Versatile, and can be appreciated and enjoyed on land.
Arnold & Son has a knack for crafting watches that are original and modern in execution yet honouring the maritime, naval, and navigational roots of John Arnold – its eponymous founder. The Mint Green and Ascot Blue editions are exciting editions to the DSTB 42 lineup and will surely appeal to collectors seeking to add an often-overlooked complication to their collections.
Please click here and here to read our earlier coverage on the brand. The brand’s beautiful Constant Force Tourbillon 11, yellow gold edition has been selected as a finalist in the Tourbillon category for the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) 2025.
Additional Details
Name: DSTB 42 Red Gold (with Mint Green dial)
Reference: 1ATCR.F01A.C1242A
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 42,700 (including VAT)
Limited edition of 18 pieces.
Name: DSTB 42 Platinum (with Ascot Blue dial)
Reference: 1ATCX.U01A.C0263X
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF) 54,600 (including VAT)
Limited edition of 18 pieces.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
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