Sameera Gamage 
Blending 18th-century inspiration with contemporary innovation, Arnold & Son unveils the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 in radiant yellow gold. Limited to just 11 pieces, it pays tribute to the legacy of precision set by John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet.
This brand new Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch from Arnold & Son is a tribute to the legacy of two iconic watchmakers and who shaped the industry to what it is today, John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. These two visionaries of the Age of Enlightenment revolutionized horology with their collaboration, focused on eradicating the running errors of watch balances.
As a fitting homage, Arnold & Son have unveiled the Constant Force Tourbillon 11 during Watches & Wonders 2025, a stunning limited-edition timepiece that brings together modern innovation and historic design influences. In reference to the name, only 11 models will be released of this exceptional timepiece that showcases the craftsmanship and mechanical artistry that Arnold & Son are renowned for.
The story behind this timepiece is that John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet were friends who were captivated by each other’s work. John Arnold was fascinated by the understated design of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s timepieces as well as his understanding of complex kinematics, while Breguet was intrigued by Arnold’s ability to invent simple mechanisms that could be put into mass production, alongside the watchmaker’s approach to chronometric precision that was unparalleled at the time.
Case Design
The Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Yellow Gold stands out attractively thanks to its meticulously crafted 41.5mm case in 18-carat yellow gold. Arnold & Son says in regards to this choice of material for the case that “The yellow hue of this precious metal was chosen because it was often used by John Arnold for prestigious pocket watches at the time. It is in perfect harmony with the openworked bridge of the constant force mechanism, which is also made of 18-carat yellow gold.”
The case design has touches of contemporary design, with the curved case middle reducing the overall profile of the watch for a more elegant fit on the wrist. The watch also has a thin bezel, polished to perfection, which encircles a domed sapphire crystal on the front.
Dial Design
The dial of this latest creation from Arnold & Son follows one of their signature design blueprints, which is having a minimal design with a dedicated off-centre time dial combined with a complication. This simplistic approach to the design offers elegance while also showcasing mechanical complexity through the constant force tourbillon.
The enamel dial is complemented by an openworked bridge that showcases the unique constant force mechanism, which is the centerpiece of the design. This mechanism is held in place by an 18-carat yellow gold bridge and rotates once every minute, emphasizing both beauty and function. The most striking aesthetic feature in this constant force tourbillon is the flame-blued anchor, which serves as a structural bridge and also functions as the seconds hand, offering a ‘dead-beat’ indication with precise one-second jumps, reminiscent of the direct-drive seconds seen in marine chronometers.
Movement
At the very heart of this latest Constant Force Tourbillon 11 is the Calibre A&S5219 movement. This manual-winding movement was specially developed by Arnold & Son for this limited-edition timepiece. As the name of the watch suggests, the movement features a patented constant-force mechanism between the main gear train and the tourbillon, smoothing out the energy from the two barrels, ensuring constant torque to the balance wheel, and preventing errors that would affect timekeeping. Thanks to the two barrels that alternately drive the mechanism, the movement delivers an impressive 100-hour power reserve.
Initial Thoughts
Arnold & Son’s Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Yellow Gold is a tribute to the lasting friendship and legacy of two of the most influential watchmakers in history. Arnold & Son has masterfully combined historical inspiration with groundbreaking technical innovation, creating a watch that appeals to both collectors and connoisseurs. With its limited edition of only 11 pieces, this watch brings forth history to modern times, showing us that timeless innovation and craftsmanship can still be reimagined with elegance and precision.
Specification: Arnold & Son Constant Force Tourbillon 11 Yellow Gold
- Dimensions: 40mm x 13.7mm
- Case Material: 18-carat yellow gold (3N)
- Dial: White Grand Feu enamel, 18-carat yellow gold (3N) base. Constant force tourbillon at 4 o’clock and off-centre time dial at 11 o’clock.
- Movement: In-house manual would Calibre A&S1001
- Movement Power reserve: 100 hours
- Water resistance: 30m (3 Bar)
- Crystal: Domed sapphire, with an anti-reflective coating on both sides
- Case back: Domed sapphire, with an anti-reflective coating on both sides showcasing Calibre A&S1001 movement
- Bracelet/Strap: Midnight blue alligator leather with black alligator leather lining with pin buckle in 18-carat yellow gold (3N)
