Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36: Revived for the Modern Era After 240 Years | ARNOLD & SON

ARNOLD & SON

A Look Back at Arnold & Son's History
A Monumental Model Becomes a Staple

The legendary chronometer "No. 36," created by Arnold & Son's founder, John Arnold, has finally become a regular model in its anniversary year, 240 years after its creation.

Text by KOIZUMI Yoko

Continuing the Tradition of British Watchmaking

It has been 240 years since John Arnold, the founder of Arnold & Son, created the pocket chronometer "No. 36" in 1778. Inspired by this renowned masterpiece, the COSC-certified "Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36" was born.

The pocket watch "No. 36" made by John Arnold is also known among enthusiasts as the "Arnold 36." It was John Arnold's first pocket watch to use a large movement with a T-balance, and it was also the first model to be recognized as a "chronometer" with astonishing accuracy for its time.

The "Tourbillon Chronometer No. 36" retains the high precision of the "Arnold 36" while adding modern touches, and was first released as a limited edition last year. This year, a model with a unified black movement has been unveiled.

The A&S8600 caliber, entirely manufactured in-house, follows the classical British chronometer movement technique, with the wheel, barrel, tourbillon, and other main rotating parts mounted on their respective bridges. While the style is traditional, the finishing of the triangular bridges is skeletonized, giving it a modern impression.

The finishing of the parts has also been adapted to match the case. In the red gold model, the bridges are palladium-finished and the main plate is NAC-finished, while in the stainless steel model, the bridges are NAC-finished and the main plate is black DLC-finished, creating distinct expressions for each.

The one-minute tourbillon features Arnold & Son's signature three-spoke design, and the tourbillon cage, weighing less than one gram, is composed of over 58 parts. Achieving COSC certification for a watch with a tourbillon is rare, offering a glimpse into the homage and dedication behind this model.

The symmetrical arrangement of the gear train and the skeleton design are signature features of Arnold & Son. The placement of two barrels at the 2 o'clock and 11 o'clock positions expresses this characteristic while also achieving a power reserve of approximately 90 hours.