Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Dragon”
According to the traditional Chinese calendar, 2024 is a prosperous and harmonious year. Arnold & Son is marking it with a sculptural flying dragon on a dial where the artistic crafts converge. Share
In an exquisite homage to the Year of the Wooden Dragon, Arnold & Son unveils its latest horological marvel, the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Dragon”. This limited edition timepiece is a confluence of fine watchmaking, meticulous sculpture, and miniature painting, manifesting a wearable piece of art. With only eight pieces available in two distinct versions, this collection is a rare treasure that celebrates the wooden dragon’s symbolism of calm determination, negotiation, and generosity.
The dragon, a revered symbol in Chinese culture, is known for its strength and wisdom. In 2024, the Year of the Wooden Dragon brings forth qualities of calmness and control, a theme that Arnold & Son has masterfully encapsulated in this exceptional timepiece. Each watch in this limited series features a sculptural rose gold dragon, its form elegantly undulating across the dial in a detailed representation that showcases the brand’s commitment to artistic craftsmanship.
The Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Dragon” stands out for its panoramic moon phase, set against a nocturnal garden scene illuminated by a large moon, with the dragon’s sinuous form crafted in rose gold. The dial’s background, made from aventurine glass in shades of black or blue, sparkles with metallic particles, reminiscent of a star-studded night sky. This serene backdrop is further enhanced by stone pines with gnarled branches, subtly evoking the dragon’s shape and adding depth to the narrative crafted on the dial.
The dragon itself is a masterpiece of sculpture, with its powerful physique and dynamic posture captured with an attention to detail that breathes life into this mythical creature. The mother-of-pearl moon, hand-painted with shadows and overlaid with Super-LumiNova, adds a luminous quality to the scene, creating a captivating visual effect that highlights the dragon’s majestic presence.
Arnold & Son pays homage to its maritime heritage through the inclusion of the constellations of the Great Bear and Cassiopeia, hand-painted on the dial. These constellations, significant for their historical use in navigation, are overlaid with luminescent material, shining alongside the pole star depicted in the dial’s mid-distance. This thoughtful addition enriches the dial’s visual appeal and connects the timepiece to the legacy of John Arnold, a pioneer in marine chronometry.
The heart of the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Dragon” is the manually-wound A&S1512 calibre, a testament to Arnold & Son’s horological prowess. This movement is renowned for its accuracy in tracking lunar phases, with precision so refined that it would only accumulate a 24-hour discrepancy after 122 years of continuous operation.
Developed and assembled in La Chaux-de-Fonds, this calibre exemplifies the brand’s commitment to in-house manufacturing and exceptional quality. Its double barrel system ensures a 90-hour power reserve, offering reliability alongside its aesthetic achievements.
