In honor of Arnold & Son’s 250th Anniversary, the manufacture unveils the Technically Advanced Tourbillon Chronograph: the Royal TEC1. Globally renowned for its rich British heritage and inimitable excellence in watchmaking, Arnold & Son unveils an inventive new timepiece that underscores its commitment to Haute Horlogerie. The new TEC1 wristwatch is at once both alluring and intriguing. It masterfully integrates three complexities never before combined by the brand in such an elegant rendition. A tourbillon, a column wheel 60-minute chronograph and an automatic winding system deftly blend in a superb avant-garde yet classic new timepiece.

The TEC1, the brand’s third tourbillon, joins the sophisticated Royal Collection, which is inspired by the timepieces created in the early part of John Arnold’s life for King George II and members of the royal court. This sophisticated new Royal TEC1 is a worthy example of Arnold & Son’s innovative spirit, technical prowess and artistic achievement. The A&S8305 calibre is an exclusive mechanical self-winding movement that offers hours, minutes, tourbillon and 60-minute chronograph.

The challenge for Arnold & Son’s Research and Development team in creating this timepiece was the integration of a high-frequency tourbillon, a chronograph and an automatic winding system in a way that is elegant and technically advanced. As such, the traditional layout of a movement with these functions has been totally discarded and all-new engineering was required for the new calibre. The tourbillon escapement majestically occupies the entire top portion of the dial from 10 o’clock to 2 o’clock with an oversized aperture that offers an incredible three-dimensional effect as the tourbillon cage rotates.

With a sapphire crystal and display case back, the aperture allows for a view that is totally unencumbered and breathtaking. The Royal TEC1 is the brand’s first high-frequency tourbillon, with 28,800 vibrations per hour and with a generous power reserve of 55 hours. The lower portion of the dial features the chronograph function, with the 60-minute register strategically located at 6 o’clock for harmonious balance. The chronograph seconds are registered via a central seconds hand. Making the watch even more technologically savvy is the fact that it is built with a column wheel chronograph —whose large column wheel is visible via the transparent sapphire case back. Implementing an integrated automatic winding system that winds in both directions further highlights the haute horological finesse of the brand.

In typical Arnold & Son tradition, the calibre A&S8305 with 255 parts and 30 jewels is meticulously finished. Each palladium treated movement boasts manually chamfered bridges with polished edges, fine circular graining and Côtes de Genève rayonnantes. The chronograph levers are satin-finished with hand-chamfered, polished edges and all screws are blued with bevelled and mirror polished heads. The highlight of each watch is a 22-carat red gold skeletonized rotor that is breathtakingly beautiful thanks to hand-engraved craftsmanship, its brushed surfaces and chamfered polished edges.

Three different references are available. The Limited Edition 250th anniversary piece is crafted in 18K red gold 45 mm case and features a stunning blue lacquered guilloché dial. The 22K red gold rotor is hand-engraved with the inscription: 250th Anniversary. Two additional non-limited renditions are also being offered: the alluring 18K red gold model with anthracite dial featured here and a palladium cased version with a silvery white and silver dial that appears on the wrist shot at the bottom of this post.

Sticker Price $95,500 USD 18K Red Gold Anthracite Dial, $99,900 18K Red Gold Blue Dial Anniversary Edition and $84,500 USD Palladium Silvery Dial. For more info on Arnold & Son click here.

Technical Specifications:
Calibre: A&S8305. Exclusive Arnold & Son mechanical movement, self-winding, ceramic ball bearing, 30 jewels, diameter 35.00 mm, thickness 8.83 mm, power reserve 55 h, 28’800 vph.
Functions: hours, minutes, tourbillon and 60-minute chronograph.
Dial: anthracite.
Case: 18K red gold, diameter 45 mm, cambered sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides, case back see-through sapphire, water resistant to 30 meters.
Strap: hand-stitched brown or black alligator leather.
Reference: 1CTAR.G01A.C112R.