Arnold & Son introduces a new timepiece that channels the spirit of 18th-century marine chronometry, the Longitude Titanium 5°W Edition. This watch is not merely a modern creation but a direct tribute to the work of John Arnold, whose instruments were pivotal in enabling the British navy to accurately calculate longitude at sea, a feat that transformed maritime navigation. The new model, produced in a highly exclusive series of 38 pieces, is powered by a COSC-certified in-house automatic calibre. Its design and name are steeped in the lore of the sea, specifically referencing Lizard Point, the final piece of Great Britain a sailor would see before heading into the vast expanse of the Atlantic.
The story of longitude is a story of necessity, tragedy, and innovation. For centuries, sailors could determine their latitude with relative ease by observing the sun and stars, but longitude, the east-west position, remained an elusive and dangerous puzzle. This came to a head in 1707 off the Isles of Scilly, a treacherous archipelago near Lizard Point. An English fleet, lost in poor weather and unable to determine its longitude, ran aground, resulting in a catastrophic loss of ships and lives. This disaster spurred the British government to action, and in 1714, the Longitude Act offered a massive prize of £20,000 to anyone who could devise a practical method for determining longitude at sea.
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John Arnold was one of the brilliant minds who rose to this challenge. While others focused on astronomical methods, Arnold pursued a mechanical solution: a highly accurate and robust clock, or marine chronometer, that could keep precise time over long sea voyages. By comparing the local time (determined by the sun's position) to the known time at a reference point (like Greenwich), a ship's navigator could calculate their exact longitude. The new Longitude 5°W Edition pays homage to this history, with its name referencing the coordinates of Lizard Point, a place of departure, return, and legend for English sailors, and a location in the very region where John Arnold was born.
The case of the Longitude 5°W is a carefully considered study in modern design informed by historical naval instruments. Crafted from lightweight and durable grade 5 titanium, the 42.5 mm case exhibits a dynamic interplay of surfaces. Its overall form is inspired by the sleek lines of contemporary sailing yachts, featuring soft curves that are contrasted by sharp, light-catching angles. The case band is drawn taut, like the waterline on a ship's hull, while the case back is gently concave, reminiscent of a keel. This combination of fluid and defined lines gives the watch a distinctively sporty yet sophisticated presence on the wrist.
A standout feature of the case construction is the thin ring of 18-carat red gold (5N) positioned between the main case band and the bezel. This ring is not merely decorative; it is a direct nod to the removable bezels found on John Arnold's historical marine chronometers. The ring is notched, providing a tactile and visual detail that adds warmth and a touch of luxury to the cool, technical look of the titanium. It serves as a bridge between the watch's tool-watch heritage and its status as a piece of fine watchmaking, all secured under a slightly domed sapphire crystal.
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The dial is named "Lizard Point Grey," a specific shade that captures the moody character of the North Atlantic off the Cornish coast. The color evokes a metallic grey sea meeting an overcast sky, a common sight for sailors navigating these often-tempestuous waters. Reinforcing this nautical theme, the dial surface is finished with a vertical satin brushing. This texture beautifully catches the light, creating a dynamic effect that suggests the surface of rolling waves. The result is a dial that feels both serene and full of latent energy, perfectly capturing the essence of the ocean.
The dial layout is balanced and highly legible, adhering to the principles of a functional instrument. At the 12 o’clock position, a power reserve indicator is displayed, its form suggesting a small cluster of islands seen through a sea mist, another subtle reference to the Isles of Scilly. Directly opposite at 6 o'clock is the small seconds subdial, which features a contrasting snailed finish for added texture and depth. The large, applied hour markers and the skeletonized hour and minute hands are executed in a golden finish that complements the red gold bezel ring, providing a warm contrast against the cool grey dial. For low-light visibility, both the hands and markers are treated with Super-LumiNova.
At the heart of the Longitude 5°W is the calibre A&S6302, a mechanical self-winding movement that is a testament to Arnold & Son's manufacturing capabilities. This movement is not sourced from a third party but is entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, and adjusted within the brand's own workshops in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. Its performance is guaranteed by its certification as a chronometer by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute (COSC), an independent verification of its high precision and reliability.
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Visible through a screw-down sapphire crystal case back, the finishing of the A&S6302 is a spectacle of horological art. The palladium-plated bridges are polished and chamfered to a high shine and are decorated with a radiant "Rayons de la Gloire" pattern that emanates from the center of the movement. This traditional guilloché-style motif creates a sense of depth and movement. The main plate features fine circular graining, while the gilded wheels are meticulously rimmed. Even the screws are given special attention, with mirror-polished heads that are blued and chamfered.
The oscillating weight, which provides the automatic winding, is a masterpiece in itself. It is crafted from a solid block of 22-carat red gold and is extensively skeletonized. Its unique design cleverly merges the silhouette of a historic three-masted sailing ship with the shape of a sextant, the quintessential navigational tool. This intricate component is not just functional but serves as a constant, moving reminder of the watch's maritime soul. The engineering behind it all ensures robust performance, with a balance wheel oscillating at a modern frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour) and providing a healthy power reserve of 60 hours.
The technical specifications of the calibre A&S6302 further underscore its quality. It measures 33.00 mm in diameter and 6.65 mm in thickness, and it runs on 36 jewels. The combination of its chronometer certification, 60-hour power reserve, and meticulous in-house finishing places it firmly in the realm of high-end watchmaking. Every detail, from the choice of palladium plating to the blued screws, has been executed to the highest standards of the craft.
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Arnold & Son designed the Longitude 5°W to be a versatile companion for the modern wearer. Recognizing that a single look does not fit all occasions, the watch is equipped with an easy-to-use interchangeable strap system. This allows the owner to quickly and effortlessly switch between the full grade 5 titanium bracelet and the supple alligator leather strap without the need for tools.
The three-link titanium bracelet continues the modern, sporty aesthetic of the case. Its links are brushed, with polished chamfers that echo the finishing on the case itself, ensuring a seamlessly integrated look. It secures to the wrist with a comfortable and secure folding clasp. When attached, the bracelet makes the Longitude a true luxury sports watch, ready for any adventure.
For a more formal or classic appearance, the watch can be paired with the included anthracite grey alligator leather strap. This high-quality strap complements the "Lizard Point Grey" dial perfectly and is fitted with a traditional titanium pin buckle. This duality allows the Longitude to transition from a robust, 100-meter water-resistant sports watch into a more understated piece suitable for a business or evening setting.
The Arnold & Son Longitude Titanium 5°W Edition is a watch that successfully merges a profound historical narrative with contemporary design and cutting-edge mechanical watchmaking. It is a piece that tells a story of exploration, innovation, and the relentless human quest to master the natural world.
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The Arnold & Son Longitude Titanium 5°W Edition, with reference number 1LTAT.N01A.N0262U, is offered as a strictly limited edition of just 38 pieces, a number that ensures its exclusivity. The Swiss retail price is set at CHF 25,900, including VAT, though this is subject to change. This pricing reflects the in-house, COSC-certified movement, the sophisticated case construction with precious metal, and the overall level of craftsmanship and finishing that defines the Arnold & Son name. For discerning collectors, it represents an opportunity to acquire a piece of watchmaking that is deeply connected to one of the most important chapters in the history of timekeeping and navigation.
Case: Titanium case with a bezel ring in 18-carat red gold (5N). Diameter of 42.5 mm, thickness of 12.25 mm. Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. Sapphire crystal exhibition case back. Water resistance of 100 meters (10 bar / 330 ft).
Movement: Calibre A&S6302, mechanical self-winding. COSC-certified chronometer. 60-hour power reserve, 4 Hz (28,000 vph) frequency, 36 jewels. 22-carat red gold skeletonised oscillating weight. Functions include hours, minutes, small seconds, and a power reserve indicator.
Dial: "Lizard Point Grey" with a vertical satin finish. Golden finish hands and hour markers coated with Super-LumiNova. Power reserve indicator at 12 o'clock and small seconds subdial at 6 o'clock.
Strap: Interchangeable strap system. Includes a grade 5 titanium bracelet with a folding clasp and an anthracite grey alligator leather strap with a titanium pin buckle.
Price: CHF 25,900 incl. VAT (subject to change).
Reference Number: 1LTAT.N01A.N0262U
Notes: Limited edition of 38 pieces. The watch is a tribute to John Arnold's marine chronometers used for calculating longitude. The name and dial color are inspired by Lizard Point in Cornwall, England, which sits at 5° longitude west.