Buffy Acacia Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 celebrates the friendship between John Arnold and Abraham Lewis Breguett. The new Caliber A&S5219 is based on the original chronometer made by John Arnold, and is modified in one of Breguet’s earliest tourbillons. Its constant force mechanism ensures consistent power delivery over a 100-hour power reserve, and while the toolbillon is visible only through the caseback, it is posted on the dial.
You don’t need to be a watch lover for a long time to know that Abraham Louis Breguet is the inventor of the Tourbillon. It is one of the most important developments in watchmaking, not only how it revolutionized chronometers in ships and pocket watches, but also about its impact on the luxury watch industry. But even the wise enthusiasts are not aware that Breguet’s invention was incorporated into the movement by John Arnold. Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 is a limited edition that celebrates its collaboration, blends history and makes it easy for experts.
Many watchmakers, and in fact many of the great artists of the Enlightenment era, were friendly through their noble circles. Arnold and Breguet made clocks for their respective British and French royals, and for a while they shared their findings with each other. John Arnold in particular was one of the godfathers of Chronometry, and his Caribreth created the perfect foundation for Breguet to test his own inventions.
The oldest mention of the tourbillon dates back to 1795, but one of the oldest physical examples was created after John Arnold died in 1799. The Plaque from Breguette attached to the revised version is “one of the Breguette’s Breguette’s Breguette’s first tourbillon regulator was incorporated into one of Arnold’s first works. 1808.” In the new Arnold & Son Constant Force Tour Billon 11, Plaque says, “J. Arnold and A.-L. In the respected memories of Blueget, always to the legendary watchmakers of that era.”
The original Tourbillon Chronometer is currently located at the British Museum, but the Arnold & Son Constant Force Tour Billon 11 is heavily based on its architecture. The A&S5219 Caliber displays tour billons only from the Sapphire Display CaseBack, with a variety of inertial balances and is designed similar to Arnold’s original marine chronometer. Most components are hidden behind a large plate, leaving a focus on the tour billon, retaining the accuracy of the original large brass plate.
This movement holds an incredible 100-hour power reserve supported by a constant force mechanism. In addition to ensuring consistent accuracy across the power reserve, this gives the watch a distinctive 1Hz tick. This is a rare sight for mechanical watches. The dial doesn’t have traditional seconds, but you can see the anchors engraved on the dial side.
The dial itself is completely gorgeous, with roughly the same emphasis on constant force components as time itself. The dial is made from a pristine coating of white Granfeu Enamel, while the subdials for hours and minutes are made from white opals. This produces contrast that does not contrast through color, but light diffusion through each medium and the concave surface of the fold adds sufficient depth.
As a longtime fan of yellow gold, I have to say I am happy to see the 18K 3N yellow gold used here instead of rose gold. It has a more classic look, and should go well with the historical connection and make a better pair. With a diameter of 41.5mm for the presence of the wrist, the height of 13.7mm includes dome-shaped sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating on each side.
Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Prices and availability
Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 is limited to just 11 units worldwide. Price: CHF 129,800 (~US$147,350)
Brand Arnold & Son Model Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Case Dimensions 41.5mm(d) x 13.7mm
