Arnold & Son Time Pyramid 42.5 in Red Gold and Platinum

Arnold & Son presented the new Time Pyramid 42.5 Red Gold (ref. 1TPER.W01A.C153A) and Platinum (ref. 1TPEX.W01A.C153X). Price from CHF 43,000

Arnold & Son revisits one of its must distinguishing creation, the Time Pyramid.

Presented in red gold (5N) or platinum (PT950), the new Time Pyramid 42.5 features a fully redesigned 42.5 mm x 10.72 mm case (compared to the 44.6 mm diameter of the 2014 introductory model), a case back made of blue aventurine glass, and a minutes circle in white opal.

Inspired by the creations of John Arnold and his British peers, the Time Pyramid revives a clock shape that was fashionable in the 1830s, arranging the movement’s organs from top to bottom instead of in a circle.

Without a full-sized dial, this wristwatch reveals a skeletonized movement in the shape of a pyramid. Alternatively, it can be seen as taking the form of an anchor, recalling the Arnold & Son logo and making a direct reference to John Arnold’s title as watchmaker for the Royal Navy.

Beating at a frequency of 3 Hz (21,600 vibrations per hour), the screw balance sits at 12 o’clock. Below, the gear train showcases a range of finishes, including hand chamfering, satin-finished and sunray-brushed wheels, snailed barrels, and blued screws. The calibre’s structure then splits in two beneath the white opal ring.

On either side of the encircled dial, two power-reserve indicators mirror one other, indicating the same information and reflecting the two barrels that power the calibre A&S1615.

Developed, machined, assembled and adjusted at the Manufacture,  it can run autonomously for 90 hours without requiring manual winding.

Enhancing the balance and symmetry of the Time Pyramid, the crown is positioned at 6 o’clock.

Neither transparent nor opaque, the case back is composed of an extremely thin disc of aventurine glass in what constitutes a first for this fascinating material.

Dotted with copper inclusions, aventurine glass originated in the region of Venice, renowned for its glass-making culture. It is said to have been discovered by accident when a workman dropped some copper filings into a vat of molten glass. One cooled and cut, the dazzling "a ventura" glass (meaning "by chance"in Venetian) revealed a myriad of sparkles. 

The aventurine glass backdrop allows light to filter through when the watch is not being worn, revealing interplays of transparency and colour. 

Water resistant to 30 metres / 100 feet and paired), the new Time Pyramid 42.5 Red Gold (ref. 1TPER.W01A.C153A) and Platinum (ref. 1TPEX.W01A.C153X) have prices of CHF 43,000 and CHF 54.900, respectively. arnoldandson.com