Blurring the genres of Haute Horlogerie and artisanship, the Perpetual Moon Year of the Tiger watch by Arnold and Son demonstrates the technical mastery and design flair of this outstanding watchmaking company. Featuring an extraordinary métiers d’art dial, crafted using rare hardstones and precious metals, harmoniously combined with an exceptionally accurate moon phase complication, this is a significant timepiece which boasts exclusivity and prestige. Created in honour of the Chinese astrological calendar “Year of the Tiger”, this compelling timepiece is strictly limited to 8 pieces.

The watchcase, sized at 42mm diameter is constructed from 18-carat red gold (5N). Resting just over 12mm high on the wrist, it has a rounded form, straight-edged lugs and a neatly tucked in crown. Beautifully enhanced with a polished finish, the case has a trim bezel which forms an appropriately luxurious and resplendent frame for the stunning dial arrangement.

Beneath a gently domed sapphire crystal lies an extraordinary haematite gemstone dial, upon which a miniature artwork depicting a three-dimensional tiger, set within a stunning aquatic landscape scene has been achieved. Rendered entirely by hand, the illusive creature has been crafted from 18-carat yellow gold, and hand-painted with rose gold powder. As if to capture his majestic spirit, he is enhanced with such astounding attention to detail, that one can discern even the texture of his glorious golden fur, as he stands poised with one paw pad dipped in the deep, dark stream which is fed by a waterfall in the background. In the foreground the bamboo has been painted in gold powder and it shimmers forming an exquisite alliance with the glittering inclusions of the haematite. Allowing the artwork to dominate, the time indications are reduced to a minimum, and indicated via faceted hands and diminutive applied hour markers at the dial edge.

On the upper sector, the generous moon phase aperture takes pride of place, and rightly so because it is exceptional. Against an aventurine backdrop, the moon, crafted from mother-of-pearl, is breathtaking in its detail. In daylight hours, it appears grey-ish white, however when darkness falls, it becomes ethereal as, together with the aquatic elements of the landscape, it becomes illuminated bringing the entire panorama to life.

Inside the golden watch case, the Manufacture A&S1512 manual winding movement beats at a frequency of 3Hz (21’600 vib/h) and it derives a minimum of 90 hours of power reserve from its two barrels. Finished to Haute Horlogerie standards, it features Côtes de Genève decoration, blued screws, swirled surfacing upon the barrels and ratchet, and hand chamfered edges with every detail appreciable through the caseback sapphire crystal. Notably the moon phase display of this movement will remain accurate for 122 years before deviating from the lunar cycle for one day and, in addition to the generous moon display aperture on the dial, a second, secret dial on the movement side displays the eight stages of the moon phase.

An astonishing timepiece which will stir the aesthetic senses, the Arnold and Son Perpetual Moon Year of the Tiger watch is a triumph for both the watchmaker, and the artisan. Adhering to the opulence of the case and dial of the model, each piece will come presented on a glistening black alligator strap backed with red alligator leather, with platinum thread stitching and it is secured to the wrist with an 18ct red gold pin buckle. The edition is a limited release of 8 pieces.