Arnold & Son Globetrotter 42 Steel in ‘Strand Blue’
Inspired by an era when explorers set out with maps and chronometers in hand, Arnold & Son presents a new iteration of its iconic Globetrotter – a contemporary timekeeping instrument dedicated to modern travellers. Revisited in both size and functionality, the Globetrotter 42 Steel features a 42mm steel case and is available in two versions: ‘Strand Blue’ and ‘Greenwich Green’, each limited to just 88 pieces.
This ultra-graphic dial has undergone subtle changes that have made it visually more striking and technically more effective for international travel. The structure retains its famous, delicately curved arched bridge – crafted from steel and worked by hand – which can be considered the signature feature of the collection. The bridge demarcates the hours of the day and night on the 24-hour bezel ring and, with the ruby set in its centre, holds in place the dome representing the northern hemisphere as seen from the North Pole. On the dome, the metallic continents, which have been sunray-brushed to accentuate their relief, stand out clearly and strikingly against the oceans depicted in blue or green depending on the model.
A sculpted dome of the northern hemisphere rotates once every 24 hours, now enhanced by a city ring featuring twelve reference cities – a subtle upgrade that enhances international timekeeping.
Another notable change made by the watch developers at Arnold & Son to this mobile dome – which rotates once every 24 hours and enables world time to be displayed – is the addition of a ring around its perimeter bearing the names of twelve reference cities. Each of these cities, from both the northern and southern hemispheres, is symbolised by its code placed opposite its location on the map. These indicators are intended to give texture to the planisphere and allow the user to instinctively visualise the time in the location of their choice, as it is read opposite the 24-hour transferred numerals on the fixed ring of the local time dial, which itself is read using the two arrows that peak out from under the world map.
Arnold & Son Globetrotter 42 Steel in ‘Greenwich Green’
Presented in classic English colours, a signature of the design and naming traditions that run through all Arnold & Son ranges, the ‘Strand Blue’ model references the London street that runs parallel to the River Thames and on which John Arnold’s shop was located. The colours of the ‘Greenwich Green’ version were chosen to recall the wooded hills that surround the Royal Observatory in Greenwich.
Like all movements bearing the Arnold & Son signature, the calibre A&S6122 was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up at the Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds.
Both versions of the Globetrotter 42 are powered by the in-house self-winding mechanical calibre reference A&S6122, whose power reserve has been increased from 45 to 55 hours. This movement allows the home and remote time displays to be adjusted via the three positions of the crown. Like all movements bearing the Arnold & Son signature, it was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up at the Manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Visible through the transparent sapphire crystal case back, the A&S6122 calibre features an engraved and finely openworked oscillating weight and is decorated with the traditional motifs of fine watchmaking. Its main plate is circular-grained, its bridges display radiating Côtes de Genève stripes, the wheels are satin-finished and the screws are chamfered and polished. It should be noted that its palladium coating offers a particularly interesting light-grey finish that perfectly complements the cases of the models it powers.
Discover Arnold & Son timepieces at the Sincere Fine Watches boutique, #02-12A of Takashimaya S.C., and the SHH boutique at #B2M-202 of The Shoppes at Marina Bay Sands.