Arnold & Son unveils the Constant Force Tourbillon 11, yellow gold edition. It pays tribute to the friendship between the English John Arnold and French Abraham-Louis Breguet, two brilliant watchmakers. In addition, it symbolises the end of John Arnold’s 260th anniversary celebrations and is a homage to his vision. The highlight of the watch is its constant force, one minute tourbillon.
Background
“While John Arnold was captivated by the understated design of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s watches and his understanding of complex kinematics, Breguet was fascinated by his English friend’s ability to invent simple mechanisms that could be mass-produced and approached a chronometric precision that no other watchmaker of the time could hope to achieve. During their exchanges, which included sending their respective sons to train with the other, these two geniuses were able to work out the best way of eliminating the running errors of watch balances.”
“The English watchmaker concentrated on optimising his detent escapement and developing balances, such as special springs, so as to offer instruments capable of satisfying his proto-industrial approach to chronometer construction – especially as the Admiralty asked him to produce them in ever greater quantities and at ever lower prices.”
“Meanwhile, Abraham-Louis Breguet, inspired by his conversations with his English friend on the principles of high chronometry, continued to work on developing the tourbillon during his exile in Switzerland from 1792. On his return to Paris in 1795, he wrote about the development of a rotating carriage in a letter. Then, two years after John Arnold’s death in 1799, he patented this mechanism under the name ‘tourbillon’ in Paris on 26 June 1801, i.e. 7 Messidor Year IX according to the French Republican calendar still in effect at the time.”
Image: Abraham-Louis Breguet’s first tourbillon regulator, based on the movement of John Arnold’s marine chronometer no. 11. Hence, the new watch is a limited edition of 11 pieces.
“To honour the memory of his friend and remember the research they had carried out together, he based his first tourbillon regulator on the movement of John Arnold’s marine chronometer no. 11. He screwed an engraved silver plate onto the main bridge with the following dedication: “The first tourbillon regulator by Breguet incorporated in one of the first works of Arnold. Breguet’s homage to the revered memory of Arnold. Presented to his son in the year 1808.” This timekeeping instrument, now in the British Museum, was given to John Roger Arnold, who succeeded his father as head of the workshop and London boutique.”
Image: Reverse side with dedication plate on left side.
Key Features
Image: Constant force mechanism is visible lower right. The true-beat seconds is indicated by the flame-blued anchor tip, also a structural bridge for the constant force mechanism.
Functions are hours, minutes, and true-beat seconds. True-beat, also known as dead-beat or jumping seconds is when the seconds hand ticks once a second. It is more mechanically complex than a “regular” seconds.
White grand feu enamel main dial on a 18K yellow (3N) base. Concave hour dial (top left of main dial) is made from white opal. Skeletonised and blued hour and minute hands. Roman numerals.
Image: Gorgeous view. Dedication plate on top, similar in spirit to the original of 1808 (year presented to Arnold’s son). Tourbillon visible below.
Powered by calibre A&S5219, a hand-wound movement that drives the hours, minutes, true-beat seconds, and constant force, one minute tourbillon. Jewels: 35. Diameter: 33 mm. Thickness: 10.48 mm. Frequency: 21,600 vph or 3 Hz. Power reserve: 100 hours via two identical barrels.
Movement finishing includes: Mainplate features a golden finish (3N), is grained, and has polished angles. Barrel bridge features a golden finish (3N), is grained, has polished angles, stretched edges, and is hand engraved. Tourbillon bridge features a golden finish (3N), is grained, has polished angles, stretched edges, and a satin-finished Durnico steel retaining spring. Blued screws are chamfered and feature mirror-polished heads. Tourbillon features a mirror-polished carriage plate, satin-finished pallet bridge, mirror-polished stud-holder, rhodium-finished balance, and a polished and rounded-off carriage bridge. Constant force bridge is made from 18K yellow gold (3N), and features polished bevel, a satin-finished flat surface, and polished angles. Constant force carriage lower bridge is flame-blued, mirror-polished, and features polished angles.
The case is made from 18K yellow gold (3N). Diameter: 41.50 mm. Thickness: 13.70 mm. Dial side features a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Caseback features a sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides. Water resistant up to 30 metres.
The watch comes with a midnight blue alligator leather strap with a black alligator lining. It is fitted to a pin buckle, made from yellow gold (3N).
Our Thoughts
Image: Close up view of constant force mechanism. The anchor shape of the flame-blued tip is a nod to John Arnold’s extensive work on marine chronometers. I love the concave shape of the hour dial.
Tourbillons are a dime a dozen, and often they do not inspire. Arnold & Son has considerable expertise in creating tourbillons. Their new Constant Force Tourbillon 11, yellow gold edition appears original and beautifully executed. Its white grand few enamel dial is in itself a reason to celebrate. Yet the watch showcases a constant force tourbillon and a true-beat seconds, both mechanically complex and difficult to execute. Most important, the watch comes with a fascinating story and tribute. For watch collectors who love tourbillons and desire a “historical connection” to the friendship between two brilliant watchmakers, the Constant Force Tourbillon 11, yellow gold edition is a must have in their collection.
Additional Details
Name: Constant Force Tourbillon 11, yellow gold edition
Reference: 1FCBJ.E01A.C246J
Price: Swiss Franc (CHF): 129,800 (including VAT)
Limited edition of 11 pieces.
Please visit the brand’s website and Instagram page for more information.
