To celebrate its 250th anniversary, Arnold & Son, the prestigious manufacturer of luxury chronographs is unveiling the new Royal Tec1, inspired by the iconic watches created for King George III. The British house´s aim was to develop a model that could honor the ancient craft of watchmaking techniques including three highly complex precision systems while maintaining the brand’s impeccable artistry. With these principles in mind, the exclusive Royal Tec1 would demonstrate Arnold & Son’s surprising constructive and creative ability. (More luxury timepieces).

The result of this endeavor is—for the first time in the label’s history— a combination of three systems that distinguish the Royal Tec1 from the other models: high frequency tourbillon, fine balance that offsets gravity´s detrimental effects in the mechanism´s power drain; a column-wheel chronograph that assures great mechanical accuracy, and a self-winding system with traditional springs that in this case offers the impressive oscillation of 28,000 alternations per hour plus a power reserve of 55 hours.

These three technologies remain an emblem of the finest timepieces. In fact, Arnold & Son takes the challenge further by combining them in its new anniversary model as a demonstration of the haute horlogerie lineage achieved, throughout the years, by the British firm.

This new model stands out for its minimalist design, which emphasizes the exposed tourbillon —visible through an aperture between 10 and 2 o´clock—which confers a superb three-dimensional effect to the piece. In the lower part, a 30-minute chronograph, strategically located at 6 o´clock hangs in perfect, harmonious balance.

The noble materials used to make the A&S 8305 include solid gold hands, fancy blue screws, complete hand-chamfered bridges with Côtes de Genève rayonnants and satin-finished chronograph levers, as well as a sophisticated mechanism with 255 parts and 30 jewels, all visible through the sapphire crystal case that covers both the front and the back.

The Royal TEC1 from Arnold & Son comes in three versions, a limited edition model featuring an 18k red gold case with blue lacquer guilloche for approximately $99,000. The other two versions have similar designs and finishes, but different materials: the most luxurious features a fossilized charcoal or anthracite dial in the same 18k red gold case, and the more modest comes in a more subdued palladium case with silver dial and white second hand. ■