3D World Timer of the Sea and the Earth
In a time when the British Empire was still the center of the world's watch industry, the passion dedicated to improving the precision of chronometers was directed entirely to the open seas. The Globe-Trotter, which inherits the spirit of those marine navigational watches, is a meticulously crafted three-dimensional world timer that allows you to intuitively grasp a second time zone using only the sea and land. Rather than seeking precise time display functionality, we want you to enjoy the powerful beauty of its form itself.
Text by Hiroyuki Suzuki
A bridge across the dial holds one of the world's largest three-dimensional world time displays for a wristwatch. Instead of displaying city names, a meticulously crafted world map allows for intuitive understanding of the second time zone. Automatic movement (Cal. A&S6022). 29 jewels. 28,800 vph. Power reserve of approximately 45 hours. Stainless steel (diameter 45mm, thickness 17.2mm). Water resistant to 3 bar. Price: 178 million yen (scheduled for release in July).
Before Switzerland became the world's center of the watch industry, it belonged to the British Empire. Just one generation after early pioneers like Thomas Tompion and George Graham, John Arnold was one of the watchmakers active during the development of the British watch industry in the mid-18th century. John Harrison, renowned for his inventions of the H1 through H5, had already demonstrated the usefulness of ultra-precise timepieces for ocean voyages. John Arnold also made a name for himself as a maker of superior marine chronometers. Like his British contemporaries, he focused on fundamentally refining mechanical timepieces, which were still in their infancy. He patented his invention of the "lantern balance spring" used in the detent escapement of marine chronometers. He also contributed to the development of a temperature-compensating balance wheel using a bimetallic material. There is some debate as to whether it was John Arnold or Thomas Earnshaw who developed the spring detent escapement by improving on the axle detent escapement invented by Pierre Leroy, but there seems to be a consensus that John Arnold's escapement was "theoretically superior." This desire for high precision was all driven by the desire to dominate the Age of Discovery.
Arnold & Son, the modern-day founder of John Arnold's workshop, released the Globe-Trotter this year, a three-dimensional world timer that celebrates the achievements of the Age of Discovery. Mechanically identical to a GMT movement with a sub-hour hand, this model displays the 24-hour time on a giant globe. The opalescent chapter ring, which indicates day and night, acts as a guide for the rotating three-dimensional world map, allowing for intuitive reading of the current time. The ocean, finished in three shades of light and dark, is hand-lacquered. The land is etched to create distinct mountain and plain shading. While very small, we're pleased to see that the Hawaiian Islands and Japan are meticulously crafted. While the mechanism itself is not particularly unique, the stable rotation of such a large disc requires a robust base movement. The A&S-manufactured automatic movement features large end jewels to withstand the stresses placed on each component. The world time display module, one of the largest ever in a wristwatch, towering under the arched bridge is certainly the highlight, but even the base ébauche that supports it offers a glimpse of Arnold & Son's signature solid design and beautiful finish.
The base supporting the huge world time module is the standard A&S automatic movement, also used in DSTBs. The power reserve is said to be approximately 45 hours to drive the heavy module, but the base alone is said to have a performance of over 50 hours. The jewels on each part are also large.
