Our Take

The year of the Water Tiger is embodied in an expressive version of the Perpetual Moon. Arnold & Son has fashioned a golden tiger, roaring and on the alert. In the background, a waterfall symbolises the element that tempers this feline’s ferocious energy. The refinement of this decorative dial springs from consummate craftsmanship and the wide range of precious gemstones that Arnold & Son draws on. Rose gold and specular hematite, mother-of-pearl and aventurine interpret a highly symbolic scene on the watch.

To celebrate the start of the new year in the traditional Chinese astrological calendar, Arnold & Son is releasing a limited edition comprising eight pieces of its high-precision phases of the moon model. The “Year of the Tiger” Perpetual Moon features a sculpted golden tiger against a backdrop in specular hematite, a rare and expressive stone.

The Year of the Tiger starts on Tuesday 1 February 2022. It is particularly auspicious. The tiger’s courage and power are tempered by the element of water. The year is set fair to be full of enthusiasm, surprises and dynamism. The animal featured on the dial of the “Year of the Tiger” Perpetual Moon is therefore standing on a riverbank, ready to welcome in a new world.

On the canvas offered by the dial of this exceptional piece, Arnold & Son has accommodated a large moon. In a wide window a turning disc reveals the waxing and waning of the celestial body, the appearance of the crescent moon and its light. For this moon is crafted from mother-of-pearl enhanced with Super-LumiNova, and its relief is painted. In daylight it is grey, almost white. In the dark it lights up from the interior and takes on a new aspect, brimming with gleaming detail. This is complemented by all the aquatic details on the dial, also hand-painted with luminous pigments. In the background, the disc bearing the star is made from a deep black aventurine glass.

The centrepiece of this dial is, however, the tiger itself. Sculptured in three dimensions, it is crafted from 18-carat rose gold. Its expression, its pose and the details of its fur are hand-engraved and -burnished. This meticulous, high-calibre work is a testimony to Arnold & Son’s exceptional attention to detail in their limited editions paying tribute to the Chinese zodiac. The same holds true for the dial. A decoration depicting bamboo is painted in gold powder on the hematite disc with glittering inclusions. To round off this dazzling scene, the “Year of the Tiger” Perpetual Moon is mounted on a glistening black alligator strap backed with red alligator leather and stitched with platinum thread.

Like all the movements used by Arnold & Son, the A&S1512 calibre was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up between the walls of the brand’s manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. This calibre is based on two barrels with an oscillation frequency of 3 Hz, giving a 90-hour power reserve. Last but not least, the moon-phase display of this movement will remain accurate for 122 years before deviating from the actual lunar cycle by one day. The “Year of the Tiger” Perpetual Moon is thus part of an astronomical, astrological cycle; a perspective of eternity.

The Details

Brand: Arnold and Son

Model: "Year of the Tiger" Perpetual Moon

Functions: Hours, minutes, astronomical moon-phases, second indicator of moon-phases on the case back

Movement: A&S1512, hand-wound mechanical

Case: 42 mm - A&S1512, hand-wound mechanical

Dial:

• stone: specular hematite
• tiger: 18-carat rose gold (4N), engraved and burnished by hand landscape: hand-painted with rose gold powder, enhanced with Super-LumiNova
• sky: black aventurine glass
• stars: hand-painted, with added Super-LumiNova
• moon: mother-of-pearl disc with added Super-LumiNova, hand-painted details

Strap: glistening black alligator leather, red alligator leather backing, platinum thread (Pt950), hand-stitched with pin buckle, 18-carat red gold (5N)

Water Resistance: 30 m / 100 feet

Limited Edition: 8 timepieces