With a shimmering artisan dial and the pleasure of a generous one-minute Tourbillon, the Ultrathin Tourbillon Red Gold watch by Arnold and Son is a timepiece of unparalleled sophistication and beauty. Brimming with subtle nuances which celebrate John Arnold’s historically significant marine chronometers, this exclusive model also carries its complex mechanical architecture within an astoundingly slender profile, and is beautifully executed throughout.

Exhibiting a classical form, the watch is housed within a rounded casing crafted from 18ct. red gold, which is sized at 41.5mm diameter and has a height of just 8.3mm. It has an elegant presence on the wrist, and with this exceptionally svelte profile, one can place the watch firmly within the ultra-thin niche, instantly elevating the piece into a technically challenging genre within Haute Horlogerie watchmaking. Proportionally perfect in every sense, the crown and lugs are neatly formed and a trim bezel frames the dial.

The façade of the watch adheres to the format taken by John Arnold’s acclaimed marine chronometers, with an offset display for the indication of time. Rendered in a technique aptly titled Cosmic Grené, the dial surface has been achieved with a meticulous blend of gold powder and aluminium particles. Offering an ultra-fine sparkle, its deep blue colour recalls a clear starry night sky, which has always been a welcome sight for many a mariner who has travelled far from their home shore.

Against this glistening, gently textured background, the dial for the hours and minutes is displayed on the upper section, with a generous aperture for the one-minute tourbillon on the lower.  Both are aligned in the vertical thus promoting an arrangement of striking equipoise, with the hours and minutes on a small off-centred dial surrounded by a red gold-plated ring, upon a domed base of white mother-of-pearl. A serene addition, it  features black roman numerals and blued steel hands with skeletonised pointer tips. Immediately beneath, the flying tourbillon is absolutely captivating as it rotates, appearing to float in its own space. The beautiful regulating mechanism features a carriage shaped like a sextant and a double-arrow counterpoise formed like a petite anchor, with the point in the middle serving as a seconds marker, as it completes a full rotation every minute.

A sapphire crystal caseback reveals the decoration and hand finishing which has been applied throughout the A&S8300 manual winding movement. A technical masterpiece, which has a depth of only 2.97mm it boasts an notably generous 100 hours of reserve from its two barrels, and features radiating stripes of Côtes de Genève, a hand engraved tourbillon bridge, as well as polished anglage edging and circular brushed wheels.

The Ultrathin Tourbillon Red Gold watch by Arnold and Son is presented on a blue alligator leather strap, hand-stitched with 18ct. red gold thread and secured to the wrist with an 18ct. red gold folding clasp. Ensuring exclusivity to its wearer, this edition will be limited to 28 pieces.