Hands-on with the Arnold & Son’s Perpetual Moon 41.5mm Watches
Sunday - 26 March 2023
Freeing the moon from its traditional location, usually restricted to a small sub-dial at 6 o’clock, Arnold & Son breaks away from the norm once again with two new versions of the Perpetual Moon watch – this time with deeply furrowed rays that maximise an already-giant moon.
Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon watches let the celestial body wax and wane across the surface of an unusual dial in the design of these two new Perpetual Moon watches. The concept has been enjoyed since the year 2015 when the brand released its first version, featuring a window that spanned from the 10 o’clock location to the 2 o’clock location. Since the initial design, the hand-engraved moon measuring a diameter of 29mm has been revisited, offering a choice of materials and textures. The latest addition to join the Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon family is the 41.5mm Perpetual Moon platinum watch ref 1GLBX.P01A.C200W and the Perpetual Moon 41.5mm rose gold watch ref 1GLBR.U01A.C200A. Whilst the rose gold version joins the watchmaker’s permanent collection, the platinum one has been manufactured in a production run of just 28 pieces worldwide. Today we’re going to explore these beautiful Perpetual Moon watches in more detail.
The two latest Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon watches with “Stellar Rays” dials
Two years ago, the Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon Obsidian watch took our breath away with its large imposing moon and a palpable dial crafted from Mexican obsidian. The watch measured a confident 42mm diameter. The two new Perpetual Moon watches have been reduced in size ever so slightly, measuring a 41.5mm diameter and are now offered in an 18ct rose gold case or a contemporary platinum case. Their dials, executed in a unique finish are obtained by a technique named “Stellar Rays” and are offered in a deep royal blue or a salmon pink colour. The depth of the watch case in this new design has also been reduced from 11.43mm to 11.30mm. It’s not a huge difference, but it does make wearing the watch under formal attire a little easier. The tauter profile of the lugs is now paired with bevelled edges and the lugs have been simplified, giving the watch a sleeker look on the wrist.
What makes the latest Perpetual Moon watches stand out in this collection is the eye-catching pleated dials that add a considerable level of depth and composition to the display. Even more interesting is the fact that these deep furrows are not uniform. It gives each dial a completely one-off look, further adding to its desirability as a collectable. The striking colours seen in both dials are achieved via a PVD treatment before being treated with several layers of transparent lacquer. There is something undeniably captivating about the irregular rays across the dials of both of these designs. They create a unique play of light and shadow and are enriched by their respective stepped bezels. The royal blue dial is framed by a polished 18ct rose gold case, whilst the salmon pink dial is framed by a polished platinum case. Rhodium-plated indexes and hands have been used for the platinum model, whereas faceted golden hands are used for the 18ct rose gold version. Whether you choose the 41mm rose gold model or the platinum version – both watches offer a simplified and special dial for telling the time easily.
There is considerable attention to detail paid to the moon feature in the design of the two new 41mm Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon watches. The development of the moon itself marks a first for the brand since it has been crafted from mother of pearl. Its iridescent tones interact beautifully with hand-painted detail to bring together the finest elements of this unique dial. The hand-applied details create an uneven surface to accurately reflect the surface of the moon and how it appears from planet Earth. In addition to this, the surface of the mother-of-pearl discs has been treated with Super-LumiNova material, ensuring that they create a realistic glow at night. The backdrop behind the moon is a deep blue PVD and grained finish to create the night sky. This section hosts two constellations - the Cassiopeia and the Big Dipper. These features have also been treated with luminous material, creating a hypnotic spectacle to the design. These constellations have been used for centuries by seafarers, nodding to Arnold & Son’s heritage in marine chronometer manufacture.
Inside the case of this latest Perpetual Moon watch design by Arnold & Son is the Calibre A&S 1512. The engine features two barrels for a superior power reserve of 90 hours. Its polished and chamfered bridges, together with blued chamfered screws and circular satin-finished wheel are a sight to behold through the back of the case via a sapphire exhibition feature. The moon phase feature in this watch has a deviation of just one day every 122 years and has an adjustment system that is positioned on the movement side. But to avoid the tricky task of trying to adjust this amendment by the crown, a second moon phase indicator with a representation of the cycles and a precise scale is provided on the back of the case so that you can adjust the moon phases more accurately.
A blue hand-stitched leather strap completes both new Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon watches. 18ct rose gold and white gold buckles are paired with their respective rose gold and platinum case materials and have been engraved with the Arnold & Son logo. If you’d like more information on either of these two limited and non-limited edition watches, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453
