Arnold & Son Presents Its New Ultrathin Tourbillon Gold Watch - The Finesse Of Gold And Silver

One of the slimmest tourbillons in the world is shedding its adornments. Pared back to its purest expression, the Ultrathin Tourbillon Gold is elegantly revealed. Its vast dial displays an almost lunar silver-toned opaline finish, while the off-centred hours dial is made of genuine white opal. Nothing now distracts the eye from the hypnotic workings of the ultra-thin flying tourbillon – the signature of the collection.

The Ultrathin Tourbillon Gold is a harmonious timepiece housed in an 8.3 mm-thick case. Its dial with a wide opening has received a remarkably refined treatment that is unprecedented in the history of this model, an Arnold & Son icon.

The vast expanse of the dial features two apertures. One houses the hours dial and the other welcomes the visible elements of the A&S8300 calibre. The Ultrathin Tourbillon Gold expresses itself with elegance.

Order and beauty

With a bassiné design, the slim 5N red gold case encircles the dial. A fine metal band of the same golden colour surrounds the hours dial and the tourbillon aperture. These repeating round lines are established according to a gentle yet rigorous geometry, creating a symmetry that enables the tourbillon carriage to stand out all the more clearly.

Luxury, carriage and delight

At the heart of the Ultrathin Tourbillon Gold beats the A&S8300 calibre, which – at only 2.97 mm thick – is one of the slimmest ever designed. The highest point of the calibre is at the top of its tourbillon carriage.

The variable-inertia balance ensures more stable calibration over time. The redesigned tourbillon carriage echoes the leading role John Arnold played in marine exploration during the 18th century. Its triangular shape evokes a sextant, while its double-arrow counterpoise represents an anchor. The point in the middle serves as a seconds marker, as the carriage completes a full rotation in one minute.

Golden flight

In the background of the tourbillon, its bridge appears in the mainplate aperture, hand-engraved with a design inspired by the engravings found on John Arnold’s pocket watches. Crafted in 3N yellow gold, it blends with the gear train while creating an aesthetic contrast with the rest of the calibre.

Modifications to the tourbillon carriage and regulating organ have increased the power reserve of the A&S8300 calibre, which lasts 100 hours. While this is a high power reserve compared to classic tourbillons, particularly slim ones, it is entirely in line with the performances regularly achieved by Arnold & Son calibres.

Technical specifications - Ultrathin Tourbillon Gold

Functions   

hours, minutes

Movement

Calibre: A&S8300, 1 minute flying tourbillon, manual winding
Jewels: 29
Diameter: 32.00 mm
Thickness: 2.97 mm   
Power reserve: 100 hours
Frequency: 3 Hz/21,600 vph
Finishes: mainplate: circular-grained
 - bridges: polished and chamfered by hand, Côtes de Genève stripes radiating from the centre
 - wheels: circular satin-finished
 - screws: blued and chamfered, mirror-polished heads
 - tourbillon carriage: ‘Arnold & Son’ signature, polished, satin-finished and chamfered by hand
 - rear tourbillon bridge: 18-carat yellow gold (3N), engraved by hand

Dial   

silver-toned opaline  

Hours dial

white opal

Case

Material: 18-carat red gold (5N)
Diameter: 41.50 mm
Thickness: 8.30 mm (with crystal)
Crystal: domed sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on both sides
Case back: sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating
Water resistance: 3 bar (30 metres/100 feet)

Strap

Material: hand-stitched blue alligator leather, black alligator leather lining
Clasp: folding clasp in titanium with 18-carat red gold (5N) cap

Reference   

1UTBR.I01A.C246R  

Limited edition

88 timepieces  

Swiss retail price

CHF 70,000 including taxes (may be subject to modifications)