Our Take

Released for Geneva Watch Days 2023, Arnold & Son presents an exceptional ladies’ timepiece – the Perpetual Moon 38 Mintnight.

Based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Arnold & Son has based its identity on its ability to produce fine watchmaking complications that are linked to the maritime heritage of John Arnold. Some of these complications include dead-beat seconds, dual time zones, 8-day power reserves, and as showcased in this timepiece, the moon-phase. The Mintnight displays the night in shades of mint green, turquoise, teal and sky blue. A gentle graduation of coloured mother-of-pearl adorns this limited edition of 18 timepieces. The mother-of-pearl opalescent sheen is complemented by the shimmer of the ruthenium moon and dial foreground, together with the diamonds that sparkle on the bezel, horns and hour-markers of this poetic creation.

Measuring 38 mm in diameter and 10.44 mm thick, the case of the Perpetual Moon 38 Mintnight is fashioned from a block of white gold. Its bezel, four horns and crown host a total of 80 brilliant-cut diamonds. When added to the 22 diamonds adorning its buckle, they amount to a total weight of 2.57 carats.

Behind a wave of ruthenium crystals on the dial, a maze of blue, mint-green and turquoise hills emerge one after the other before receding towards the horizon. The sky above this scene, scattered with hand-painted stars, is filled with an immense moon. Its surface, also made from ruthenium crystals, illuminates the sky. The use of this rare material has become a special signature of Arnold & Son, adding preciousness, light and texture. Five marquise cut diamonds indicating the hours provide the finishing touch on this work of art

Staying true to its tradition as a precision watchmaker and its legacy of high-sea navigation, Arnold & Son has ensured that this moon-phase timepiece will remain accurate for 122 years. This means that, if kept constantly wound, it would take more than a century for the moon on the timepiece to experience a one-day time lag with its real-life counterpart in the sky.

The Details

Brand: Arnold and Son

Model: Perpetual Moon 38 Mintnight

Functions: Hours, minutes, astronomical moon phases

Movement: A&S1612, mechanical with manual winding

Power reserve: 90 hours

Decoration: Mainplate: rhodium-plated, Côtes de Genève stripes radiating from the centre. Bridges: polished and chamfered. Wheels: circular satin-finished

Dial: Ruthenium crystals and mother-of-pearl marquetry tinted in graduated shades of green and blue. Hour-markers set with 5 marquise-cut diamonds

Case: 18-carat white gold, set with 80 brilliant-cut diamonds

Crystal: Domed sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on both sides

Water resistance: 30 m /100 ft

Strap: Teal-blue satin-feel alligator leather, raspberry-pink alligator-leather lining, hand-stitched

Limited Edition: 18 pieces

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