The Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 is the result of a historic friendship
Buffy Acacia- The Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 celebrates the friendship of John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet.
- The new calibre A&S5219 is based on the original chronometer made by John Arnold and modified with one of Breguet’s earliest tourbillons.
- Its constant force mechanism ensures consistent power delivery across 100 hours of power reserve, and it’s featured on the dial while the tourbillon is only visible through the caseback.
You don’t need to be a watch enthusiast for long to learn that Abraham-Louis Breguet was the inventor of the tourbillon. It’s one of the most important developments in watchmaking, not just because of how it revolutionised chronometers on ships or in pocket watches, but also for its effects on the luxury watch industry. However, even wizened aficionados aren’t aware that Breguet’s invention was built into a movement by John Arnold. The Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 is a limited edition which honours that collaboration, merging history and finery with expert ease.
Many watchmakers, and indeed many of the great artists during the Age of Enlightenment, were friendly through their aristocratic circles. Both Arnold and Breguet made watches for their respective British and French royalty, and they shared their discoveries with each other for some time. John Arnold in particular is one of the godfathers of chronometry, and his calibres made a perfect base for Breguet to test his own inventions.
The oldest mention of a tourbillon dates to 1795, but one of the oldest physical examples was created after John Arnold had passed away in 1799. Attached to the modified version was a plaque from Breguet, saying “The first tourbillon regulator by Breguet incorporated in one of the first works of Arnold. Breguet’s homage to the revered memory of Arnold. Presented to his son in the year 1808.” In the new Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11, a plaque reads “To the revered memory of J. Arnold and A.-L. Breuget. Friends in their time, legendary watchmakers always.”
While the original tourbillon chronometer is now in the British Museum, the Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 is heavily based on its architecture. The A&S5219 calibre has its tourbillon visible only from the sapphire display caseback, along with the variable inertia balance, which also takes a similar design to Arnold’s original marine chronometer. Most of the components are hidden behind a large plate, ensuring focus remains with the tourbillon and retaining accuracy to the original’s large brass plates.
The movement holds a phenomenal 100-hour power reserve, which is upheld by the constant force mechanism. In addition to ensuring consistent accuracy across the entire power reserve, this also gives the watch a distinctive 1Hz tick, which is a rare sight for mechanical watches. There’s no traditional seconds hand on the dial, but you can see the blued anchor on the dial side ticking.
The dial itself is utterly gorgeous, almost placing equal emphasis on the constant force components as the time itself. The dial is made from a pristine coating of white Grand Feu enamel, while the subdial for the hours and minutes is crafted from white opal. This creates contrast not through colour, but by the way light diffuses through each medium, as well as the concave shape of the subdial adding plenty of depth.
As a long time fan of yellow gold, I must say I’m pleased to see 18k 3N yellow gold used here instead of rose gold, which has been trendier in recent years. It’s a more classical look, which should age well and pairs better with the historic connections. The case is 41.5mm in diameter for substantial wrist presence, and the 13.7mm height includes a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coatings on both sides.
Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 price and availability
The Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 is limited to just 11 pieces worldwide. Price: CHF 129,800 (~US$147,350)
| Brand | Arnold & Son |
| Model | Constant Force Tourbillon 11 |
| Case Dimensions | 41.5mm (D) x 13.7mm (T) |
| Case material | 18k 3N yellow gold |
| Water Resistance | 30 metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | White Grand Feu enamel and white opal subdial |
| Bracelet and strap | Blue alligator leather |
| Movement | A&S5219, in-house, hand wound |
| Power Reserve | 100 hours |
| Functions | Hours, minutes, tourbillon |
| Availability | Limited to 11 pieces |
| Price | CHF 129,800 (~US$147,350) |