Just as if the Arnold & Son HM Perpetual Moon wasn't stunning enough, Arnold & Son presented at Baselworld 2016, a new iteration of what we think is the most beautiful moon phase watch out there. Luckily for us we were there to play with it and bring you this hands-on review and live images of what we think is the best moon phase watch out there. Presented as an evolution of its alluring and precise HM Perpetual Moon, the new HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon, with not one but two of the biggest moon phase indications on the market, rightfully joins the Arnold & Son Royal Collection. For the first time, the HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon displays the moon phases as they can be seen both from the northern and southern hemispheres respectively, all in a single watch.
The new Arnold & Son sophisticated HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon is, indeed, a superb example of Arnold & Son’s technical and artistic excellence. From the inside out, this new timepiece —with rich guilloché dials and two three-dimensional big moons— surprises and delights.
The 42 mm case is created in 18K red gold and houses the manufacture Arnold & Son mechanical hand-wound movement, the calibre A&S1512. The case is finished with mirror polished caseband, lugs and bezel, while the sides of the lugs are satin-brushed finish. The winding crown, maintains all the elements of the classical looking Arnold & Son timepieces. A corrector, conveniently located at 2 o'clock eases the adjustment of the moon phase displays that are perfectly synchronized for northern and southern hemisphere viewing.
The exceptional perpetual moon phase indication of this watch is a marvel in many ways. From the aesthetic side, the 29 mm moon phase disc, which runs from 10 to 2 and 4 to 8 o’clock on the dial, reveals not one but two of the largest moons on the market —with a diameter of 11.20 mm for the moons alone.
While the first aperture displays the moon phase as seen in the northern hemisphere, a mirror image of the moon phase also shows the state of the moon in the southern hemisphere.
Additionally, these large moons are one of the most visually stunning recreations of the moon because they are three-dimensional sculptured moons that were first hand-engraved and then duplicated for the series. The two sculptured moons are then inserted into the disc.
The new Arnold & Son HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon from Baselworld 2016 is powered by the manual wound Arnold & Son calibre A&S1512 with 27 jewels. This exceptional movement is fitted with one of the most accurate moon phase mechanisms on the market, with only one day’s deviation every 122 years — at which point a single push on the corrector will keep it in sync for another 122 years. The exquisitely finished movement is fully visible via the display case back.
The calibre is also equipped with a double barrel to yield 90 hours of power reserve and on its back side, yet another moon phase indicator is present to make sure the moon phases are perfectly set depending on your location.
The new Arnold & Son HM Double Hemisphere Perpetual Moon is fitted with a gorgeous and very elegant brown alligator strap with signed Arnold & Son pin buckle.
On the wrist, this watch is beyond exceptional and pure watch porn. The blue on its dial along with the gold moon phase discs make for a stunning maritime chronometer fascinating look. The watch wears true to its size and with remarkable wrist presence. If you are looking for the best moon phase watch out there, look no further because this is the one.
Sticker Price $30,500 USD. For more info on Arnold & Son click here.
