Arnold & Son revisit history with the Golden Wheel
With only 125 pieces available, the Golden Wheel is a limited edition timepiece that is gaining recognition for combining the wandering hours function with the true beat seconds’ hand
Many collectors have great enthusiasm for the “star wheel” complication, which is also known as the “wandering hours” movement. This concept has been around since the 18th century but is rarely used in modern watches, however all this is set to change. The unveiling of Arnold & Son’s Golden Wheel timepiece skilfully incorporates history, bringing back the forgotten complication but with a unique visionary eye to the future.
From concept to development, the A&S6018 movement took three years to manufacture, setting new challenges for the watchmakers at multiple stages of design and development. The design consists of three transparent sapphire disks marked with hour numerals that hover just above a mother-of-pearl dial. The rotating position of the disks adds a three dimensional aesthetic allure, merging traditional with contemporary.
The Golden Wheel borrows its name from the eye-catching focal feature of the watch; the 18-carat red gold time carousel that sits in the centre of the dial. Leading from the central axis is the true beat seconds’ hand, which enables the seconds to beat incrementally, replicating the tick-tick of the quartz calibre, as opposed to gracefully sweeping along the dial, allowing for more accurate reading. This level of precision adds an intricacy and elegance that is favoured amongst horology enthusiasts.
At the top of the dial, a mother-of-pearl arc displays the current hour while modest golden arrows on the disk point to the minutes dial frame. Finally, the true beat seconds’ indication is displayed via a large detailed outer ring that is read with the central golden hand. The dial plate is treated NAC grey with Côtes de Genève finishing.
The A&S6018 mechanical self-winding movement is treated in palladium and is delicately decorated with Haute Horlogerie finishing, including hand-chamfered bridges with polished edges, fine circular graining, Côtes de Genève rayonnantes, circular satin-finished wheels and blued screws with bevelled and mirror-polished heads. It is comprised of 29 jewels and 232 components and has an astounding power reserve of 50 hours. Adding an extra wow-factor, Arnold & Son ensured that the spectacular mechanism is visible from the side of the dial. The magnificent movement is housed in a splendid 44 mm 18-carat red gold case that has a see-through sapphire case back, which is water-resistant to a depth of 30 metres.
The timepiece is completed with a hand-stitched brown or black alligator leather strap. The overall dial and design is extremely attractive and reading the time becomes an interesting experience.
