ReviewAllures Of Amber: Introducing The Arnold & Son Double Tourbillon White Gold Amber Edition

Arnold & Son have firmly established themselves as horological innovators, renowned for their highly technical watches that showcase intricate mechanics on the dial. Among their many achievements, the brand’s foray into Double Tourbillons stands out as a significant milestone. This journey began at Baselworld 2014, celebrating the brand’s 250th anniversary with the limited edition Double Tourbillon Escapement Dual Time Watch. This groundbreaking timepiece not only featured a double tourbillon but also dual time indications, setting a new standard in watchmaking. Since then, Arnold & Son’s Double Tourbillon collection has continually evolved, each iteration surpassing the last in complexity and elegance. In 2021, the brand unveiled the Double Tourbillon Jade, available in white or red gold cases, adorned with striking ‘Apple Green’ jade dials. More recently, at the 2023 Watches & Wonders, Arnold & Son introduced new Double Tourbillon models with exquisite green malachite stone dials and mesmerising blue aventurine glass dials.

This year, the collection expands further with the stunning Arnold & Son Double Tourbillon White Gold Amber Edition ‘Baltic Beauty’. This timepiece is a true trailblazer, marking the first use of Baltic Amber, or ‘tiger’ amber, as a dial material. The new yellow edition is a testament to Arnold & Son’s commitment to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. 

At the 2023 Watches & Wonders, Arnold & Son unveiled new Double Tourbillon models featuring green malachite stone dials and blue aventurine glass dials

These stunning timepieces use glass and stone dials to perfectly showcase the double tourbillon mechanism

Tell Me More About This New Material—Baltic Amber

Baltic Amber is a fossilised resin from ancient conifers that thrived along the Baltic Sea coast around 44 million years ago. This precious material, formed over millions of years, is admired for its stunning beauty and deep symbolic meaning. While amber is commonly thought of as translucent orange, Baltic Amber actually features a creamy appearance and comes in a variety of colours. 

For its latest watch, Arnold & Son have chosen a captivating warm, moiré yellow shade. This natural material, similar to the signature stones used by Arnold & Son, ensures that each watch dial is one-of-a-kind. Over time, exposure to sunlight will gradually change the amber’s colour and opacity. This dynamic quality means the watch will age in a unique way, reflecting the individual experiences and lifestyle of its wearer. 

The use of Baltic Amber, or ‘tiger’ amber, enhances Arnold & Son’s collection of distinctive dials. The warm, moiré yellow complements the grey gold case and white opal hour dials, adding softness and texture

The use of Baltic Amber, also known as ‘tiger’ amber, adds to Arnold & Son’s collection of unique dials. The warm, moiré yellow hue complements the grey gold case and pure white opal hour dials, adding a touch of softness and texture. The amber’s yellow shade stands out against the skeletonised bridges, highlighting the dual tourbillons in a visually stunning and technically sophisticated way. This innovative use of Baltic Amber not only enhances the watch’s beauty but also sets a new benchmark in watchmaking, combining natural materials with high-end craftsmanship.

The Importance Of The Double Tourbillon

The Double Tourbillon is essentially two watches combined into one. Unlike traditional dual time or GMT watches that use an additional hand for a second time zone, Arnold & Son’s approach pays homage to its founder’s legacy in the golden age of chronometry. The innovative design features two independent tourbillons, each regulating a separate time zone. This dual mechanism reflects the 18th-century method of timekeeping used aboard English frigates, which relied on both marine chronometers and astronomy.

John Arnold’s work focused on two main goals: precise timekeeping and world time. With his marine chronometers, Arnold aimed for the highest reliability in time measurement. The newly released Arnold & Son Double Tourbillon White Gold continues this legacy by displaying local time on the small dial at 12 o’clock with Roman numerals and the time in another location at six o’clock with Arabic numerals. These two dials, showing hours and minutes, operate absolutely independently and are accurate to the minute. They can display the same time, different times, or one can keep track of time while the other times a long event. Unlike most travel watches, the Double Tourbillon White Gold can adapt to time zones offset by 15, 30, or 45 minutes, offering unmatched flexibility for modern travellers.

The advanced A&S8513 calibre movement working within features two barrels, two crowns, and two time zones

All of this is made possible by the advanced A&S8513 calibre movement. This movement features two barrels, two crowns, and two time zones. When you turn over the watch, you’ll see a beautifully finished movement, with elegant details such as Côtes de Genève stripes on the main plate, double-snailed barrels, sunray-brushed crown wheels, and polished gold chatons. The tourbillon bridges are finished with a combination of bevelling, satin-finishing, and mirror-polishing—all in solid white gold—creating an exceptionally refined display.

The Arnold & Son Double Tourbillon White Gold Amber Edition is a unique piece, housed in a 43mm 18-karat white gold case, which is water-resistant to 30m, and is paired with a jungle-green alligator leather strap that features a papaya-yellow alligator leather lining.