Arnold & Son updates one of their most iconic collections, the Time Pyramid, with two new releases in red gold & platinum.
Arnold & Son know how to make extraordinary looking timepieces. For the new watch fanatics out there, this brand is known for making watches that quite simply is outrageous and breathtaking to look at. A perfect example of this is the Time Pyramid. First released back in 2013, the Time Pyramid was originally designed as a skeleton timepiece.
The 2013 Time Pyramid model and this years latest release keep the same design layout, bar a few “background changes”. Arnold & Son have done an amazing job to design the movement to be as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as possible. We first start off with the balance wheel that is suspended at 12 o’clock, which also incidentally forms the top part of the “pyramid”.
“Devoid of a full-sized dial, this wristwatch reveals a skeletonised movement in the shape of a pyramid. Alternatively, it can be seen as taking the form of an anchor, recalling the Arnold & Son logo and making direct reference to John Arnold’s title as watchmaker for the Royal Navy.”
Arnold & Son
Sitting below the balance wheel, we find the constant seconds counter. This can arguably be the hardest part of the dial to read, as part of this sub-counter is covered by the main time dial. We feel that this possibly could’ve been done away with and have the seconds hand on the dial itself, but doing so would also require more mechanisms which can over complicate the the time dial and therefore be not as aesthetically presentable.
On either side of the constant seconds dial, at 3 ‘clock and 9 o’clock respectively, is two power indicators. Why two you ask? Well its simply because there are two barrels that power this manual wound mechanical movement, with the barrels placed on opposing sides, directly underneath the main time dial. Each power reserve indicator is linked to the barrel that it’s measuring underneath.
The dial is then made up of more aesthetic gears that lead into the time dial, completing the pyramid type structure. The time dial as we’d expect is skeletonised, revealing more of the beautiful gears in the movement underneath. The hour indices are Roman numerals, and is indicated by a hour and minute hand in blue. The choice to use blue for the hands works well as it contrasts nicely against the hour track on the time dial and also the prevailing movement seen underneath.
The main aesthetic changes for this year’s model (besides the case materials) is the disc of aventurine glass, which is a first for this material. This glass is used as the main case back, which means that when you turn the timepiece over, you’re treated to the full beauty of the full aventurine glass.
“The expression ‘open-air’ applies literally here, as the glass used for the case-back offers yet another new interpretation by Arnold & Son. Neither transparent nor opaque, it is composed of an extremely thin disc of aventurine glass in what constitutes a first for this iconic material. Arnold & Son has chosen to use this decorated glass as a backdrop for its Time Pyramid. This backdrop allows the light to filter through when the watch is not being worn, revealing interplays of transparency and colour.“
Arnold & Son
The latest version of the Time Pyramid is offered in a 42.5mm case size in either 18-carat 5N red gold or platinum (PT 950). Our personal favourite out of the two materials is the red gold, as it beautifully matches the colours of the gears and other components used throughout the movement. The crown is located at the 6 o’clock position, which makes it blend in with geometric’s of the case nicely. The case of the timepiece is rated to a water depth of just 30 meters.
Both these models are also limited editions. The red gold is limited to a production of 88 timepieces, whilst the platinum is limited to 38 timepieces. Both versions are also offered as standard on a blue alligator leather strap, with the pink buckle matching the case materials (18-carat (5N) red gold or platinum (PT 950)).
As we have seen already, unlike most conventional timepieces, the Arnold & Son’s movement calibre A&S1615 is on the dial side for all to see. The manual wound movement powers the timepiece at 3Hz (21, 600 VpH) frequency, while putting out a power reserve of approximately 90 hours. As the movement is displayed clearly for the viewer, the decoration and high level of finishing of it’s components is critical. This includes the mainplate being NAC-treated and satin-finished, the bridges NAC-treated, hand-chamfered, and finished with vertical Côtes de Genève stripes, the wheels are gold-plated and circular satin-finished, and lastly the screws being blued and chamfered, with mirror-polished heads.
This latest Arnold & Son Time Pyramid is a statement piece, and what a statement it makes. If you love your mechanical watches, and love seeing the inner workings of how the movement operates, then look no further. The fact is, unlike the original Time Pyramid released in 2013, this new model is not really considered a full skeleton watch, because we have now been presented with a beautiful aventurine case back that you can directly see from the dial side.
Reference: TIME PYRAMID 42.5 (Red Gold 1TPER.W01A.C153A), (Platinum 1TPEX.W01A.C153X)
Specification:
- Case: 42.5 mm and thickness 10.72 mm
- Case Material: 18-carat (5N) red gold or platinum (PT 950)
- Dial: Blue aventurine glass with A&S 1615 movement on dial side.
- Crystal: Domed sapphire with an anti-reflective coating on both sides
- Water resistance: 30 meters / 3 ATM
- Movement: A&S1615 with manual winding
- Movement Frequency: 3 Hz / 21, 600 VpH
- Movement Power reserve: 90 hours
- Bracelet/Strap: Blue alligator leather, black calfskin lining, hand-stitched. The buckle pin buckle is either 18-carat (5N) red gold or platinum (PT 950).
