Our Take

Arnold and Son sneaks in under the radar and hits you in the face with a flurry of beautiful aesthetics, complications, and execution.

Perhaps the brand’s boldest effort comes in the form of the Chronometer No. 36, a COSC certified tourbillon chronometer developed at Arnold and Son’s headquarters in La Chaux de Fonds.

Drawing inspiration from John Arnold’s very first pocket chronometer, No. 01/36, the Chronometer No. 36 Tourbillon is a memento marking the 240th anniversary of the original pocket watch created by the prominent watchmaker.

The Chronometer 36 features triangular multi-level bridges, a signature of traditional English horology, with all the main elements mounted on their individual bridges. The maze of beautifully finished and hand decorated parts showcases the art of watchmaking in both looks and mechanics.

We found ourselves staring away at the various turns leading to the tourbillon, the central element of this awesome watch, mounted on a mirror polished bridge.

Ever find yourself staring at the dial of your watch while in traffic? Buyer beware! Don’t stare and drive at this beauty!

If you’re looking for terrific value, a well-built tourbillon, with a sublime open dial that, oh by the way, happens to be COSC certified, this is your watch!

The Details

Brand: Arnold and Son

Model: Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36

Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, tourbillon

Case: 18-karat red gold or stainless steel diameter 46 mm

Crystal: Cambered sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides, see-through sapphire case back

Movement: Manufacture Arnold and Son Caliber A&S8600. Hand-wound, 33 jewels, power reserve 90 h, double barrel, 4 Hz / 28,800, COSC certified. Movement decoration:Nickel-silver and steel movement, 5N red gold treated bridges and main plate with haute horlogerie finishing: sand blasted bridges with chamfered and polished edges, 18k gold chatons, screws with beveled and mirror-polished heads. Tourbillon cage is mirror-polished with hand-chamfered polished edges and circular satin-finished surfaces.

Dial: Inner bezel NAC treated with rhodium indexes

Strap: Hand-stitched brown or black alligator leather

Water Resistance: 30M

Condition & Warranty

This timepiece is brand new and features a full three year factory warranty from date of purchase as part of our authorized dealership with Arnold and Son. Includes original box and documents.

From the Source

Symmetry and skeletonization are two traits that should come to mind whenever Arnold & Son is mentioned, and the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is certainly no exception. Drawing inspiration from the John Arnold pocket chronometer No. 1/36, which will mark its 240th anniversary in 2018, the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is a commemorative creation leading up to the milestone year for the historically significant John Arnold chronometer. The John Arnold Chronometer No. 1/36 or "Arnold 36" as it is more commonly called was not only the first pocket watch by John Arnold to use a larger movement with his "T" balance, but also the first to be referred to as a "chronometer" for its superior timekeeping capabilities. In this respect, the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is faithful, contemporary horological homage. 
Following the classical codes of traditional English chronometer movements, the main pivoting elements such as the wheels, barrels, the tourbillon, and others are each mounted on their own bridge. The triangular, multilevel bridges (no less than thirteen) are mostly skeletonized, providing a more contemporary sense of three-dimensional depth to the entire timepiece. 
The tourbillon, a central element of this timepiece, is highlighted in a most magnificent manner. Held by a skeletonized and mirror-polished top bridge, the one-minute tourbillon features a typically Arnold & Son three-spoke design. Weighing mere fractions of a gram, the tourbillon cage consists of no less than 58 components. Prominently positioned on the dial side, the tourbillon can also be viewed from the back, thanks to an opening in the main plate. The same kind of opening is made below the small seconds display, adding to the symmetry of the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36. 
The apparent technical virtuosity of the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36 is not only a treat for the eyes, as the watch is a COSC certified chronometer; something of a rare achievement for a tourbillon-equipped timepiece. 
The decorative haute horlogerie arts are also lavishly demonstrated in the Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36. The entirely in-house conceived and manufactured A&S8600 calibre features a smooth sand-blasted main plate and bridges with chamfered and polished edges. The main plate and bridges are treated with a golden coating, echoing the aesthetics of the historical pocket watches made by John Arnold. The main plate also is set with several mirror-polished 18k gold chatons, while the wheels in the gear train are embellished with circular satin finishing with chamfered and polished edges. Even the screws are bevelled and feature with mirror-polished heads.