LUNA MAGNA YEAR OF THE DRAGON PIETERSITE

Introducing a new métiers d’art dial to this prestigious collection, the Arnold and Son Luna Magna Year of the Dragon Pietersite watch celebrates the beginning of the Chinese New Year and its corresponding Animal of the Zodiac, the Wood Dragon. Limited to only 8 pieces the model displays a hand-engraved dragon complemented by background of polished pietersite, and a dial of pristine white opal. Encased in resplendent 18ct red gold, the watch is powered by a complex in-house mechanical manual winding movement that boasts a moon phase mechanism so precise that if allowed to run continuously, it will deviate by only one day in 122 years.

On a disc of natural pietersite, which is renowned for its beautiful banded aesthetic, the hand-engraved golden dragon is arranged so that his noble body curls around either side of the dial. Brought to life by the artist, and displaying incredible detailing, the creature is poised as if he has leapt from behind the decentralised hours and minutes dial in readiness to grasp the moonphase with his claws and teeth. Highly symbolic for this special edition, the moon phase demonstrates the importance of the lunar cycle in the Chinese calendar, while its form also represents the legendary pearl of wisdom that the dragon constantly seeks to possess.

Adhering to the luxurious styling of the watch, the 12mm three-dimensional moon phase is crafted from pietersite and 18ct red gold, while the dial of the watch is of white opal and finished with exquisite arrow-tipped openworked blued hands and painted roman numerals. Further enhancement is to be found in the fine gold rim surrounding both the dial and also the moon phase aperture, which interlock to form the fortuitous number eight.

The watch is housed within a case of polished 18ct red gold, sized at 44mm diameter with a height of 15.90mm, fitted with a box-type sapphire crystal which rises above the housing in order to accommodate the pronounced spherical centrepiece which dominates the dial-side display.

Beating within, the A&S1021 Manufacture manual winding calibre derives an impressive ninety hours of power reserve, beating at 21’600 vib/h (3Hz). Fully appreciable through the sapphire crystal caseback, the rear side of the two-tone moon is surrounded by radiating bands of Côtes de Genève and at its centre the movement has a secondary moon phase display which indicates precisely the age of the moon, and it also provides a reference with which to calibrate the Luna Magna’s moon phase, easily accessed via the crown.

A timepiece of breathtakingly beautiful aesthetics, the Luna Magna Year of the Dragon Pietersite watch is presented upon an ink blue alligator leather strap lined with red alligator leather lining, secured to the wrist with an 18ct red gold and titanium clasp. The model is strictly limited to an exclusive release of only 8 pieces.