To understand the provenance of the Arnold and Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch one must delve back through the chronicles of horology to a period that marked the genesis of the pursuit of accuracy. The story of this 11 piece edition begins in the 1780s when Abraham-Louis Breguet travelled to London and met with the leading chronometer maker of his day, John Arnold. This pivotal moment marked the beginning of a friendship that would outlive both men, and which was so trusting that they would later on exchange their sons as young apprentices to one another. Such a relationship and mutual admiration would inspire the gift to Breguet of a chronometer made by John Arnold circa 1774, and later on, having perfected and patented his latest mechanism under the name ‘tourbillon’ Breguet modified the chronometer to include his invention. Following the death of John Arnold, Breguet presented the reworked piece to his son John Roger and it now resides in the prestigious collection of the British Museum, complete with an original engraved silver plaque screwed onto its mainplate: ‘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’.

The Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch carries the story forward into the contemporary watchmaking landscape elegantly and organically with a movement specially developed by the Arnold and Son Manufacture to the specifications of this unique model. Remaining as faithful to the original piece as possible the manually wound movement blends the architecture and finishing style of Arnold’s pocket chronometer No11 calibre with technical innovation. Manual winding, the movement is equipped with a constant force mechanism that regulates the delivery of power from the double barrel in series arrangement through to the end of the 100 hours of its operation, thus replacing the fusee-and-chain of the original for a system that guarantees isochronism. Visible on the dial side, and held in place by an 18ct yellow gold bridge, the constant force mechanism is equipped with a dead-beat seconds inspired by marine chronometers, and its flame-blued anchor tip affirms the historical connection.

Through the sapphire caseback one can appreciate the glorious execution of the movement finishing, with the graining and polished angles of the 18ct golden finish mainplate replicating Arnold’s preferred detailing. Notably refined, the one minute tourbillon retains the carriage design used by Breguet and uniquely, it incorporates a T-shaped retaining spring inspired by the ‘pare-chute’ shock system found in historical pieces. To finish, a poignant new engraving marks the latest chapter in the story of these eminent Masters: ‘To the revered memory of John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. Friends in the their time, legendary watchmakers always’. 

The watch is housed within an 18ct yellow gold case, with a diameter of 41.5mm and a height of 13.7mm. A curved middle enhances its profile, and a trim bezel gives added visual pleasure to the dial which is crafted from pristine white Grand Feu enamel, and which is partially openworked to reveal the mechanism of the constant force and the dead-beat seconds. For this exclusive piece, Arnold and Son have chosen to debut a recessed, concave hours and minutes dial, which is angled for perfect readability, and it is fitted with diminutive blued hands with openworked tips. The perfect equipoise achieved on the dial and the contrast of the quietly beautiful enamel and opal with the resplendent golden elements elevates the presence of the watch adding further character to this stunning edition.

An emblematic piece that highlights the historical significance of two Masters of horology, the Arnold and Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch is strictly limited to only 11 pieces.