According to the traditional Chinese calendar, 2025 marks the Year of the Wooden Snake, a year guided by qualities such as wisdom, intelligence, and caution. To celebrate this, Arnold & Son introduces the Perpetual Moon 41.5 mm ‘Year of the Snake’ in a limited series of eight pieces crafted in 18K 5N red gold. This extraordinary watch combines the brand’s signature expertise in high-end horology with an astronomical moon display, one of its hallmark features. The dial, made from aventurine glass, is a nod to the brand’s ongoing commitment to artistic craftsmanship. Together, these elements create a masterful tribute to the Year of the Snake.
The Year of the Wooden Snake begins on January 29, 2025. This element signifies transformation, self-improvement, energy, and introspection. The year encourages negotiation, with a sense of mystery and secrecy in the air. Arnold & Son’s Perpetual Moon 41.5 ‘Year of the Snake’ is a fitting tribute to this period, embodying these themes through the lens of their extraordinary watchmaking.
Staying true to Arnold & Son’s legacy of decorative horology, this timepiece is a new limited edition within the Perpetual Moon collection, designed specifically for the Chinese zodiac calendar. At the heart of the dial is a graceful hand-engraved 18K 4N rose gold snake, elegantly coiled around the branch of a Ginkgo biloba tree—a symbol of longevity and vitality. The snake gazes outward in a serene and contemplative nocturnal setting that was hand painted with gold powder and overlaid with SuperLumiNova.
The snake, meticulously hand-engraved from a block of 18K 4N rose gold, is set against the deep blue backdrop of an aventurine glass dial. Its scales, forked tongue, and distinct head are rendered with remarkable realism. Above, a large moon made of mother-of-pearl glows softly, casting gentle shadows, and is enhanced with SuperLumiNova to illuminate the sky. Surrounding the moon, the constellations of Ursa Major and Cassiopeia shine in the same luminous material, creating a captivating celestial scene that adds further depth and beauty to this exceptional timepiece.
The selection of these star patterns directly references the heritage of renowned marine chronometer maker John Arnold. Throughout history, the stars have served as essential guides for navigation. At the heart of these constellations lies the Pole Star, a steadfast beacon pointing north. This connection between the stars and the Chinese zodiac calendar creates a fascinating intersection of cultural significance and graphic design, where celestial symbols represent pivotal moments and thresholds.
On the case back, a secondary moon phase display enables quick and precise adjustment of this complication. The manually wound calibre powering the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold ‘Year of the Snake’ tracks the moon’s phases with remarkable accuracy. A full lunar cycle spans 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes, and 2.8 seconds. Arnold & Son’s movement is so precise that, if continuously wound, it would take 122 years for the display to deviate by a full 24 hours from the true astronomical cycle.
As with all Arnold & Son movements, the A&S1512 calibre was entirely conceived, crafted, decorated, assembled, regulated, and encased at the brand’s workshop in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Featuring two barrels, this calibre operates at a frequency of 21,600 vph and offers an impressive 90-hour power reserve. The movement is finished with rhodium-plated and circular-grained bridges that are chamfered and with radiating Côtes de Genève stripes wheels, and snailed screws.
The Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold 'Year of the Snake' is delivered on an ink blue alligator leather strap lined with red alligator leather and secured by a pin buckle in matching 18K 5N red gold. This watch is available in a highly exclusive limited edition of 8 pieces.
Sticker Price CHF 57,200 Swiss Francs —approx USD 62,600. For more info on Arnold & Son click here.
