Arnold & Son Eight-Day

The Arnold & Son Eight-Day burst onto the watch scene in 2016. Recently, the Swiss Maison introduced a new contemporary bracelet to accompany the timepiece. Close inspection of this watch reveals sublime finishing, precision and remarkable value for money.

To understand today’s Arnold & Son, one has to look to the past and the legacy of John Arnold. Born in Cornwall, England, Arnold was the son of a watchmaker. He served his apprenticeship in England before spending time in the Netherlands. He was an innovator, holding patents for the detent escapement, bimetallic balance and helical balance spring.

Like many of his contemporaries, Arnold sought to discover a means of determining longitude at sea. In order to provide an accurate means of navigation, chronometry was of primary importance. Arnold’s marine chronometers became highly prized and incorporated several of his inventions, thereby conferring a high degree of precision.

The brand’s modern-day watches are not facsimiles of the Englishman’s creations but the designs are strongly influenced by the styling of Arnold’s pocket watches, clocks and marine chronometers. Indeed, the historic marine chronometers clearly inspired Arnold & Son when it designed the Eight-Day Royal Navy back in 2016. Today, the watch is simply called the Arnold & Son Eight-Day.

Previously, the watch was only available on a colour-coordinating calf leather strap and the overall composition exhibited a classical mien. Now, the watch firm from La Chaux-de-Fonds has unveiled a new 3-rows bracelet option paired with a folding clasp. This alternative means of affixing the watch to the wearer’s wrist imbues the timepiece with a slightly less formal appearance. Moreover, those would-be wearers, once dissuaded from purchase owing to the lack of a bracelet option, may now choose to reconsider their stance.

Irrespective of whether the watch is worn on a bracelet or strap, the Arnold & Son Eight-Day has many attributes. For example, it has a prodigious power reserve of eight days, courtesy of two barrels. Beyond running autonomously for this length of time, the twin barrels serve the escapement with a more consistent supply of energy and, in so doing, deliver superior precision, a quality that would no doubt resonate with John Arnold himself.

Furthermore, the hand-wound movement, the calibre A&S1016, is beautifully appointed. The bridges are openworked, adorned with Côtes de Genève rayonnantes and include polished edges. In addition, thermally blued screws abound and several jewels are set in gold chatons.

Hopefully, the introduction of the new bracelet will tempt more potential purchasers to the brand, where they will discover remarkable craftsmanship and virtue for a comparatively modest sum.

Prices

Arnold & Son Eight-Day Ref. 1EDAS.U01C – steel bracelet – CHF 13,100 (world price excluding taxes)

Arnold & Son Eight-Day Ref. 1EDAS.U01A – calf leather strap – CHF 12,200 (world price excluding taxes)

The brand’s press release

With a new steel bracelet, Arnold & Son presents an updated version of one of its essential models. The Eight-Day collection by Arnold & Son is an emphatic tribute to John Arnold’s marine chronometers. Its eight-day power reserve, the design of its hands and hour-markers, the subtle sophistication of its case, and its omnipresent details make it an iconic creation by the most British of Swiss brands.

Sophisticated case attachments

For the first time, this 43 mm-diameter steel Eight-Day incorporates a steel bracelet. Every element of its understated, three-link design bears a high-quality finish. The side links are carefully polished while the centre links are vertical satin-brushed to create a dynamic line. In an essential detail, the first two outer links present the same length and curvature as the lugs. This design decision heightens the unity between case and bracelet for a more harmonious whole.

Case details

Behind creative details such as the guilloché dial which give the Eight-Day its unique look, this collections on steel bracelet retains its core assets. First, the case, with its fine, domed bezel to reveal as much of the dial as possible. The piece keeps its complex profile; the case sides are polished with a “bassiné” construction, incorporating Arnold & Son’s signature tiers and overhangs. These contribute to the slimmer lines of the watch, already a mere 10.70 mm in thickness. What is more, the contour of the curved lugs presents a polished recess that highlights the raised satin-finished central section.

More than a week

This case, with its numerous sophisticated details, houses the A&S1016 calibre. Like all the calibres used by Arnold & Son, it was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up in the brand’s manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This calibre is based on a double series-mounted barrel. When combined with its oscillation frequency of 3 Hz, this allows for an exceptional autonomy of 192 hours – or eight days, hence the name.

Furthermore, the case-back side of the A&S1016 calibre is skeletonised, revealing the spaces above the barrels, gear train and escapement. Running across its surface are radiating Côtes de Genève originating from the balance staff, the movement’s nerve centre. Lastly, its edges are lowered and polished, including in the many spaces left open in the skeletonised case back.

Inner life

The Eight-Day encompasses countless details, making it a watch that is as elegant as it is easy to wear. Easy to wear because its thickness and steel bracelet make it an object suited to daily use. Elegant because the combination of colours and textures produces an endlessly shifting play of light. This brings the Eight-Day to life, animating all its surfaces, from the bracelet to the case and its contents.