Since participating in Watches and Wonders in 2023, Arnold & Son has quickly built a reputation as one of the most anticipated and hard-hitting independent brands the fair has to offer. They are able to generate such buzz through a tight edit of releases—a true testament to the age-old adage of quality over quantity. This year is no different, with only two new models, both drawing on the inherent beauty of precious stones.

HM Pietersite

18-carat red gold (ARNOLD & SON)

(ARNOLD & SON)

The story begins and ends with the dial, crafted from pietersite—an ultra-rare stone with only two known active sources in the world: Namibia and Hunan, China. The stone is known by the moniker “the stone of storms”, and it’s not hard to see why. Swirls of blue, gold, and red mingle across the dial, teasing possible homogenisation—but it stops there. The colours clash in streak and flow, emulating the turbulence of stormy skies meeting the foamy ocean along the rugged coastline of Cornwall—the birthplace of John Arnold.

Measuring just 39.55mm in diameter and 7.82mm in height, its refined dimensions lend the watch an almost dreamlike wispiness and elegance. This is made possible by the ultra-thin A&S1001 calibre, a manually wound movement offering a generous 90-hour power reserve and 30 metres of water resistance. The HM Pietersite is offered in either 18-carat red gold (5N) or steel, and is limited to just 8 and 18 pieces respectively.

Ultrathin Tourbillon Onyx

950 Platinum (ARNOLD & SON)18-carat 5N red gold (ARNOLD & SON)

Onyx forms the basis of the Maison’s second release: the Ultrathin Tourbillon Onyx. A finely polished disc of onyx constitutes the dial, lending the watch an atmospheric, enigmatic darkness. An onyx dial is not a particularly novel concept. However, where Arnold & Son break new ground is in the finish: a matt satin surface, applied to an onyx dial for the first time in watchmaking. This deepens the mysterious intrigue of the watch, setting the stage for the flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock to take centre stage.

Within the intricate cage bears a flying tourbillon with the brand’s iconic anchor-shaped counterweight. Its central tip serves as a reference point for reading the seconds as the cage completes its one-minute rotation.

Meanwhile, its calibre—the A&S8300—at just 2.97mm thick, is among the thinnest manually wound movements on the market. For this piece, however, it has been reworked to ensure optimal performance, yielding a hefty 100-hour power reserve and water resistance of up to 30 metres. The Ultrathin Tourbillon Onyx is produced in either 18-carat 5N red gold or 950 platinum, limited to just 8 pieces each worldwide.