Arnold & Son DSTB 42

Arnold & Son has introduced a pair of new timepieces to its DSTB collection, presenting a complication rooted in the history of precision navigation in two striking new color palettes. The DSTB 42, an acronym for ‘Dial-Side True Beat,’ receives a Mint Green dial housed in a warm red gold case and an Ascot Blue version encased in brilliant platinum. These watches are not merely new color variations; they are a continued exploration of a signature complication for the brand, one that showcases mechanical ingenuity front and center. Each version, produced in a highly limited run of just 18 pieces, offers a unique character while sharing a common foundation of high-level watchmaking and deliberate, asymmetrical design.



The legacy of John Arnold is deeply intertwined with the quest for accuracy at sea. As a preeminent English watchmaker in the 18th century, his marine chronometers were vital instruments for the British Royal Navy, enabling sailors to determine longitude with unprecedented precision. A key feature of these historical instruments was their steady, one-beat-per-second rhythm. This clear, deliberate tick of the seconds hand was not a stylistic choice but a functional necessity for accurate timekeeping and celestial navigation. It is this specific feature, the true-beat seconds, that Arnold & Son has harnessed and made a pillar of its modern identity, celebrating it with the mechanical theater of the DSTB collection.



What is a true-beat, or deadbeat, seconds? In the vast majority of mechanical wristwatches, the seconds hand appears to sweep smoothly around the dial. This is because the escapement, which regulates the watch, oscillates several times per second. For a typical movement running at 4 Hz, like the one in the DSTB 42, the balance wheel completes eight vibrations every second, resulting in eight tiny steps of the seconds hand. The true-beat seconds complication is a separate, sophisticated mechanism designed to override this smooth sweep, instead allowing the seconds hand to advance in distinct, one-second jumps. It transforms the fluid motion of the escapement into a crisp, precise indication of each passing second, much like a quartz watch, but achieved through purely mechanical means.



Creating this complication is a significant horological challenge. It requires an additional system to be built on top of the base movement, one that can store the energy from the escapement's rapid oscillations and release it in a single, controlled impulse precisely once per second. Arnold & Son’s watchmakers developed this mechanism entirely in-house for the DSTB collection. Rather than hiding this intricate dance of levers and gears within the movement, the brand made the audacious decision to place it entirely on the dial side, giving the complication its very name and defining its visual identity. This act pays tribute to the historical importance of the mechanism and provides a constant, captivating spectacle for the owner.



The dial of the DSTB 42 is a masterclass in controlled asymmetry and visual depth. The upper left quadrant is dominated by the true-beat seconds mechanism, held in place by three prominent, open-worked bridges crafted from solid 18-carat gold. These bridges are not simple, flat supports; they are three-dimensional, architectural elements with polished and chamfered edges that play with light. Beneath them, the intricate system of gears and levers is on full display. A long, slender seconds hand extends from this mechanism, its tip tracing a printed track that arcs from the 9 o’clock to the 12 o’clock position.



To perfectly balance this mechanical display, the primary time-telling function is relegated to an off-centered sub-dial at the 5 o’clock position. This sub-dial, crafted from a disc of pure white opal, provides a clean, classical counterpoint to the complexity beside it. It features crisp black Roman numerals for the hours and a simple minute track, read by a pair of blued steel hands. The deliberate placement of this sub-dial, along with the standard 3 o’clock position of the winding crown, confirms that the layout is a conscious aesthetic choice, not a mere consequence of movement architecture. It creates a dynamic tension on the dial that is both unusual and visually satisfying.



A particularly noteworthy detail of the true-beat mechanism is the counterweight, which is shaped like a naval anchor. This is a direct and powerful symbol of the brand’s heritage and John Arnold’s contributions to marine chronometry. This small anchor-shaped lever oscillates in time with the movement’s escapement, gathering and releasing the energy that orchestrates the precise one-second jump of the long seconds hand. Its constant, rhythmic motion provides an additional layer of animation to the dial, a visual heartbeat that is both mechanically fascinating and aesthetically pleasing to observe.



The first of the new duo is the Red Gold Mint Green edition. This model is housed in a 42 mm case fashioned from 18-carat 5N red gold, a warm and lustrous alloy that imparts a sense of richness. The main dial surface features a unique grained texture, achieved through a PVD treatment that results in a vibrant "Mint Green" color. This finish is not flat; it has a subtle, sandy texture that catches the light, giving the dial a dense and shimmering quality. The warm tones of the red gold case and the gold bridges of the true-beat mechanism create a harmonious and striking contrast with the cool, fresh green of the dial, resulting in a watch that is both luxurious and contemporary.



The case of the Red Gold version measures 12.95 mm in thickness, a dimension that accommodates the complexity of the dial-side complication while remaining wearable. It is topped by a domed sapphire crystal that has been treated with an anti-reflective coating on both sides, ensuring maximum clarity and legibility of the detailed dial from any angle. The exhibition case back also features a sapphire crystal, offering an unobstructed view of the beautifully finished movement within. This model is paired with a hand-stitched Cornish green alligator leather strap, the color of which perfectly complements the dial, and is secured by a matching 18-carat red gold pin buckle.



The second new model offers a cooler, more understated personality. The DSTB 42 Platinum Ascot Blue edition features a case made from 950 platinum, a metal prized for its rarity, density, and bright white luster. The dimensions are identical to its red gold counterpart at 42 mm in diameter and 12.95 mm in thickness. The cool, silvery hue of the platinum case provides a different context for the dial, lending the watch a more technical and sophisticated feel. The weight of the platinum on the wrist is also a distinguishing feature, offering a substantial presence that is unique to this precious metal.



The dial of the platinum version receives the same grained finish as the gold model, but here it is rendered in a deep "Ascot Blue" via PVD treatment. This rich, textured blue pairs exceptionally well with the bright white of the platinum case and the pure white of the opal time-telling sub-dial. The 18-carat gold bridges of the true-beat mechanism provide a subtle, warm contrast against the otherwise cool palette, drawing the eye to the mechanical action. This version is fitted with an ink blue, hand-stitched alligator leather strap and a solid 950 platinum pin buckle, completing a cohesive and refined aesthetic.



Driving both timepieces is the Arnold & Son self-winding calibre A&S6203. This movement was fully developed, manufactured, assembled, and regulated at the brand’s manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Comprising 32 jewels, it operates at a modern frequency of 4 Hz, or 28,800 vibrations per hour, and provides a healthy power reserve of 55 hours when fully wound. The movement’s base diameter is 33 mm, with a height of 5.54 mm, though this increases to 8.33 mm when measured to the top of the dial-side true-beat bridges, illustrating the added dimensionality of this signature complication.



The view through the sapphire case back reveals a level of finishing consistent with the watch’s high-end positioning. The movement is powered by a substantial oscillating weight, or rotor, crafted from solid 22-carat gold, which helps with winding efficiency. The bridges are decorated with radiating Côtes de Genève stripes, and their edges are meticulously chamfered and polished. The main plate features circular-graining and a palladium plating. Even the smaller components receive careful attention, with wheels that are circular-grained and screws that are thermally blued and feature chamfered, polished heads. This dedication to finishing, both on the visible and hidden parts of the movement, is a hallmark of fine watchmaking.



The entire construction of the watch is a testament to meticulous engineering. The dial-side module for the true-beat seconds had to be perfectly integrated with the base movement, requiring a design that crossed through the movement to display the complication on the front. This structural complexity is handled with an expert touch, resulting in a watch that is both mechanically robust and visually balanced. The case is water-resistant to 30 meters (100 feet), which is standard for a watch of this style, providing protection against everyday splashes.



The overall impression of the DSTB 42 is one of mechanical artistry. It successfully marries a historically significant complication with a bold, modern design language. The grained dials provide a tactile and vibrant backdrop for the polished, three-dimensional mechanics of the true-beat system. The choice of white opal for the time sub-dial adds a touch of classicism and ensures that legibility is not sacrificed in the name of spectacle. These are not quiet watches; they are designed to be noticed and admired for their intricate construction and singular aesthetic.



These new additions to the DSTB 42 collection are strictly limited, underscoring their exclusivity. Only 18 pieces of the Red Gold Mint Green edition (reference 1ATCR.F01A.C1242A) and 18 pieces of the Platinum Ascot Blue edition (reference 1ATCX.U01A.C0263X) will be produced. This scarcity ensures that owners will be part of a very small circle of collectors. The pricing reflects the precious materials and the complexity of the in-house movement. The DSTB 42 Red Gold Mint Green is priced at $48,500, while the DSTB 42 Platinum Ascot Blue is priced at $61,900.



Arnold & Son DSTB 42 Red Gold Mint Green



Case: 18-carat (5N) red gold; 42 mm diameter; 12.95 mm thickness; domed sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating; sapphire case back; water resistance 30 metres.

Movement: Calibre A&S6203, self-winding mechanical; 55-hour power reserve; 4 Hz/28,000 vph frequency; 32 jewels; 22-carat gold oscillating weight.

Dial: Grained with PVD “Mint Green” treatment; off-centred hours and minutes sub-dial in white opal; dial-side true-beat seconds mechanism supported by 18-carat gold bridges.

Strap: Cornish green alligator leather, hand-stitched; 18-carat (5N) red gold pin buckle.

Price: $48,500 (excl. VAT)

Reference Number: 1ATCR.F01A.C1242A

Notes: Limited edition of 18 pieces. Features a "Dial-Side True Beat" (DSTB) seconds complication, which is a mechanism that makes the seconds hand jump in one-second increments, fully visible on the dial.





Arnold & Son DSTB 42 Platinum Ascot Blue



Case: 950 platinum; 42 mm diameter; 12.95 mm thickness; domed sapphire crystal with double-sided anti-reflective coating; sapphire case back; water resistance 30 metres.

Movement: Calibre A&S6203, self-winding mechanical; 55-hour power reserve; 4 Hz/28,000 vph frequency; 32 jewels; 22-carat gold oscillating weight.

Dial: Grained with PVD “Ascot Blue” treatment; off-centred hours and minutes sub-dial in white opal; dial-side true-beat seconds mechanism supported by 18-carat gold bridges.

Strap: Ink blue alligator leather, hand-stitched; 950 platinum pin buckle.

Price: $61,900 (excl. VAT)

Reference Number: 1ATCX.U01A.C0263X

Notes: Limited edition of 18 pieces. The watch's signature feature is its true-beat seconds complication, a nod to John Arnold's marine chronometers, with the entire mechanism displayed on the dial.