Originally released in stainless steel at Baselworld 2018, Arnold & Son now releases the Globetrotter in gold.
Press release with commentary in italics.
Commentary
This new release is an extension to the Globetrotter model, first released in 2018. We did a detailed review of the watch here:
The only differences are the change in the case material from stainless steel to 18k red gold. The other main change is the annular ring around the domed globe is now in a blue with a dégrade effect, being darker at the peripheral than the center. The dial finish looks to have a more refined finish than the steel model, but it is very similar.
The same downside which we described for the steel version is still present. It is relatively difficult to read the different timezones using the globe. Made worse if you are in the southern hemisphere, as the map shows only the north.
The same A&S6022 self winding movement is used in this new model.
The price premium of the 18k red gold over the stainless steel is close to triple, which seems to us to be a bit steep for just a case upgrade to 18k red gold, perhaps minor tweaks to the dial, and a limitation to 28 examples.
Arnold & Son Globetrotter in 18k red gold
The Arnold & Son Globetrotter in 18k red gold is in a limited edition of 28 examples and retails for CHF 41,900 before taxes. In stainless steel, the Globetrotter retail price is CHF 14’900.
Like a finely-crafted atlas, the Globetrotter Gold represents our Planet. The lands seen on the surface are sculpted to precision and together with the deep, hand-painted seas, they serve as a backdrop to the world time dual time zone display. Overhanging these is an infinite arch which fixes their rotation. In shades of blue, Arnold & Son pays a chromatic tribute to John Arnold’s marine chronometers, which were embarked on English naval ships in the 18th century.
The Globetrotter Gold measures 45 mm in diameter. In its centre, the dome depicting the Northern Hemisphere is held from side to side by an immense openworked bridge carved in red gold. This arch is the visual signature of the Globetrotter, and houses in its centre a functional ruby holding the axis of universal time.
Refined in blue
With its Globetrotter Gold, Arnold & Son has chosen to refine the aesthetics of this major piece in a way which affirms its elegance and modernity. The appliqué indexes on two planes are faceted in red gold and painted in Super-LumiNova. The bottom part of the dial which surrounds the map of the world has a subtle sunlit finish in shades of blue, and the ring showing universal time is in transparent sapphire. Local times are therefore read by the red hands pointing to the gold indexes, while world times are identified by visualising an imaginary longitude from the ruby in the central bridge to the 24-hour sapphire ring.
Openworked, svelte design
The architecture of the Globetrotter Gold crossways bridge is remarkable. Classy and svelte, the bridge is formed of one central piece in solid gold, with openwork taken to the extreme.
The flat parts of the arch are polished, its sides are satin-finished and the long surfaces of its chamfers bevelled. These types of finishes and the level of quality achieved are those commonly applied to the components of Arnold & Son calibres. However, the dimensions of this bridge are considerably larger than they would be within a movement, and thus demanded exceptional care and precision.
Manual, hand crafted
At 45 mm, the case of the Globetrotter Gold is vast. The hemisphere was the guideline to its design and its surface area requires a certain amount of space. Above the equator are North America, Eurasia and part of Africa, all represented with a wealth of detail. In reality, the continents form a single rhodium-plated, polished sculpture. In contrast, the Atlas, Hoggar, Himalayan, Rocky, Ural and Alps mountain ranges are given a matt finish.
The oceans are hand painted with several coats of blue-pigmented lacquer enriched with pearlescent powder to bestow exceptional depth and shine. The coastlines are lighter on the blue colour scale with added Super-LumiNova, so that they stand out at night and further accentuate the relief of this small piece of manual craftsmanship.
Manufactured and finely crafted
The Globetrotter Gold is assembled on the Maison’s automatic calibre A&S6022. Like all Arnold & Son movements, it has been entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and fitted at their plant in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Its oscillating weight is 22-carat gold, skeletonised and features the Clou de Paris guilloché pattern.
The A&S6022 calibre is decorated with the traditional fine watchmaking motifs: stippled main plate, radiant Côtes de Genève bridges, satin-finished wheels and bevelled, polished screws. Its specific finishes are also NAC-treated. This type of plating uses precious metals close to platinum to produce a particularly high-quality anthracite result that perfectly matches the red gold case of the Globetrotter Gold.
Arnold & Son Globetrotter Gold Technical specifications
Product reference 1WTAR.U01C.
Functions hours, minutes, and world times (24-hour ring)
Movement
Calibre A&S6022, mechanical self-winding
Jewels 29
Diameter 38.00 mm
Thickness 6.55 mm
Power reserve 45 hours
Frequency 4 Hz / 28,800 vph
Finishes main plate: stippled and NAC-treated
bridges: bevelled, polished and NAC-treated radiant Côtes de Genève
wheels: circular satin-finished and rhodium-plated
screws: bevelled and mirror-polished
oscillating weight: 22-carat red gold (5N), guilloché
Dial lacquered in shades of sunlit blue
three-dimensional appliqués in 18-carat rose gold (4N) with Super-LumiNova
24-hour ring sapphire crystal with traced numbers
Dome of the earth continents: rhodium-plated and polished with matt-finished mountain range detailing
oceans: hand painted in blue lacquer with pearlescent powder
coastlines: hand painted in blue lacquer with pearlescent powder and Super-LumiNova
bridge: 18-carat red gold (5N), with polished and satin-finished sides
Case
Material 18-carat red gold (5N)
Diameter 45.00 mm
Crystal domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides
Back sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Water-resistance 30 metres/100 feet
Strap
Material hand-stitched blue alligator leather
Buckle 18-carat red gold (5N) pin buckle
Limited edition 28 pieces
Global retail price before tax CHF 41,900, subject to modification
