A watch that we couldn't wait to see in the metal at Baselworld 2018 was the new Arnold & Son Globetrotter. The first worldtimer for Arnold & Son and one of our favorite watches this year. The new Arnold & Son Globetrotter features a 45 mm case in stainless steel case and a three-dimensional world time display that takes the center stage. This 3D world time display is held by a large central arched bridge spanning the entire diameter of the dial.
The new A&S Globetrotter features one of the world’s largest rotating 3D world time displays on a wristwatch. With a look that combines a little bit of MB&F because of its polished bridge on the dial and with the classic design cues from Arnold & Son the new Globetrotter lines up to be one of our top 10 watches at the show this year.
Things to Know About the Watch
With a stainless steel case at 45 mm wide and 17.23 mm at its highest point, the Globetrotter features one of the world’s largest rotating 3D world time displays on a wristwatch. With a look that combines a little bit of MB&F —because of its polished bridge on the center of the dial— and the classic design cues from Arnold & Son, the new Globetrotter lines up to be one of our top 10 watches at the show this year.
While the rotating 3D world takes the center stage, blued steel hands with lacquered red tips mark the time. Almost floating above the silvery white opaline dial with Roman numerals chapter ring for the hours and a circular brushed chapter ring for the minutes, the world time display is surrounded by a 24-hour sapphire disk fixed to the same bridge that holds the 3D world.
The disk is transparent between 06:00 and 18:00 and with a translucent metallic treatment from 18:00 to 06:00, to accurately indicate day and night. Intuitive to read and adjust, the Arnold & Son Globetrotter features a three-position crown system for all adjustments on the watch. The first position is used to manually wind the movement, the second position sets the local time —hour hand— in one-hour increments, and the final position is used to set the hour and minute hands and the world time.
Depicting a view of the Earth’s Northern Hemisphere as seen from space as if directly above the North Pole, the new Arnold & Son Globetrotter’s representation of the earth is exquisitely detailed. Starting with a rounded piece of brass, the different textures of the oceans and continents are brought out by chemical etching with a mask, followed by polishing the upper surfaces. The mountainous areas are then sandblasted to create a sense of visual depth, then the oceans are lacquered by hand with different blue tones. The entire world time disk is then treated with a layer of clear lacquer, and finally the entire component is polished. The result is a hemispherical disk full of lifelike details. The watch is water resistant to 30 meters and delivered on a blue calf strap with pin buckle.
The Movement
Powering the new Arnold & Son Globetrotter there is an entirely newly developed and manufactured Arnold & Son automatic movement. Calibre A&S 6022 is a 29-jewel selfwinding movement that features central rotor engraved with a hobnail motif in black ADLC treatment. When fully wound, the movement provides a power reserve of 45 hours.
On the Wrist & Pricing
On the wrist, the new Arnold & Son Globetrotter wears true to its size and high on the wrist, but not in an annoying or uncomfortable way. The watch is extremely nice but we were expecting a little bit more when it comes to the finishing of the central bridge and the 3D world. Combining ingenious haute horlogerie with artisanal crafts, the brand has been able to produce their first worldtimer with a bang and for the price, it is not bad at all.
Sticker Price $16,995 USD. For more info on Arnold & Son click here.
