DSTB 42 RED GOLD

A timepiece of elegant perfection, yet one which is defined by technical mastery, the DSTB 42 Red Gold watch by Arnold and Son introduces a new revised, movement housed within a slender new 42mm 18ct red gold casing. A piece that celebrates the historical significance of John Arnold’s acclaimed marine chronometers, this magnificent model showcases the mechanisms of the true beat/dead beat seconds complication on its dial, upon a background of deep blue with an exquisite sunray finish. A contemporary masterpiece that expresses both the artisanship of watchmaking and its profoundly complex nature, the stunning Arnold and Son DSTB 42 Red Gold edition is presented in a limited edition of only 88 pieces.

Originally released in 2014 to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the company founded in London by the Englishman innovator and inventor John Arnold, the DSTB displays the origins of its maritime inspiration via an exquisite little anchor which rocks back and forth every second. The visual highlight of the watch is the deceptively complex true beat/dead seconds complication, which makes the seconds hand jump instead of sweep, and which is assembled on the upper face of the dial plate. As it reveals a constant and mesmerising animation, one gets the feeling that the great Master himself would approve of this wonderful tribute to his ingenious and fundamentally important contribution to the philosophies of horology.

Beneath the sapphire crystal the deep blue tone of the PVD treated dial plate is highlighted with sunray decoration, providing a light catching surface as the backdrop for the beautiful mechanical novelty which is laid out upon it. The hours and minutes are displayed in an off-centred white opal dial, featuring roman numerals and blued steel hands, but the DSTB is all about the seconds which dominates its face.

Elevated and partially overlying the time dial, the seconds are indicated by an elongated hand on a white scale painted directly onto the dial plate. Secured beneath three palladium plated bridges, the elegant arrangement is fully exposed. Between the two wheels a small mobile toothed wheel moves the ‘anchor’ lever at the end of which a ruby pallet is locked and released every second, so the pointer jumps from one to the next.

This new Arnold and Son DSTB 42 Red Gold model is presented in polished 18ct red gold case measuring 42mm with a height of only 12.95mm, with a sapphire caseback through which the meticulously finished A&S6203 self winding movement can be appreciated. Entirely developed, machined, assembled and adjusted in the Arnold and Son Manufacture, the calibre has a skeletonised rotor, finished with a deep guilloché decoration, which spins above the Côtes de Genève decoration of the plate, the edges of which have been hand chamfered and polished. Boasting an improved power reserve of 55 hours, the movement beats at a brisk 28’800 vib/h (4Hz).

A stunning watch which captures the essence of those early John Arnold pocket watches, the DSTB 42 Red Gold by Arnold & Son is presented on a hand stitched alligator leather strap with an 18ct red gold pin buckle. This exclusive edition is strictly limited to 88 pieces.