Manufacturing & Assembling the A&S Globetrotter Steel - A Closer Look

THE EARTH DOME

Step 1 - Mix

Preparing the different blue tones with colour pigment.

Step 2 - Oceans

Painting 8 layers of translucent dark blue lacquer giving depth to the oceans.

In between each step - Drying

The Earth needs to dry 2 hours between each layer

Step 3 - Waves

Painting the waves with mother-of-pearl powder before the final layer of blue lacquer.

Step 4 - Shores

Painting the shores with a specific paint mixed with Super-Luminova

Step 5 - Final Check

- Final check under microscope, also with a UV Lamp. It requires 2 to 3 days to complete an Earth Dome. Utmost care is needed to paint the dome as the continents are mirror-polished and a single mishandling could damage their surface.

THE UPPER BRIDGE

Step 1 - Machining

The bridge is first a metal plate that is chiselled to the micron with a CNC machine.

In between each step

The bridge needs to be washed and dried in between each step.

Step 2 - Sandblasting

The inner sides of the bridge are sand-blasted contrasting with the mirror-polished surface.

Step 3 - Polishing

The upper surface is mirror-polished. This step is particularly difficult due to the fineness of the piece.

Step 4 - Plating

The bridge is plated in a Rhodium bath.

Step 5 - Final Check

Final check with a loupe. It takes 2 days to complete a full bridge. Due to the fineness, the bridge is fragile and needs utmost care to keep the exact curve to fit on the Earth Dome.

THE ASSEMBLING

Step 1 - Dome Setting

After assembly of the movement and the dial, the watchmaker can set the dome. This step needs a lot of dexterity as it must be lifted from the bottom and delicately put down on a central pivot.

Step 2 - Dome Screwing

The watchmaker secures the stability of the dome with a micro round nut.

Step 3 - Bridge and Sapphire Ring Setting

The sapphire ring indicating the world time and the central jewel are assembled together with the upper bridge. The ensemble is then placed on the Earth dome and must perfectly fit into the lateral supports at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.

Step 4 - Bridge and Sapphire Ring Screwing

The upper bridge is secured with one micro screw on each side.

Step 5 - Sapphire Crystal Fitting

The domed sapphire crystal is fitted on top of the bridge.

Step 6 - Final Check

It needs 2 to 3 hours to the watchmkaer to assemble the Globetrotter.

Arnold and Son  Globetrotter Steel
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Arnold and Son Globetrotter Steel

Available in:
- Limited Edition Blue Dial

EsperLuxe