Arnold & Son is known for its world-time watch, and following the recent debut of the Globetrotter Gold, there is now an updated stainless steel version. This “world time” complication watch has a steel case that matches the steel bridge that stretches across the map of the northern hemisphere.
The case forms a continuous line from the strap to the sapphire crystal dome, which is suspended above the dial. This large transparent hemisphere follows the line of the steel arch bridge that makes the Globetrotter collection different from all other timepieces. This arch is open-worked with a satin finish on all its flat surfaces, chamfered and polished by hand. The slender chords rest on two feet fixed with screws, like a stylized bridge spanning two banks. Here it reaches across half of the world, the most densely inhabited part of the earth: the northern hemisphere.
At 45mm, the Globetrotter Steel has a large case size. The hemisphere was the central consideration of this design, hence requiring a certain amount of space. Above the equator, there are highly detailed views of North America, Eurasia, and Africa in a one-of-a-kind sculpture in relief. Each continent is first rhodium-plated and polished, while mountain ranges are rendered matte for maximum contrast. The oceans have been hand-painted with numerous layers of lacquer in blue pigments, plus come with mother-of-pearl powder. In a lighter tone enriched with Super-LumiNova, the shorelines stand out at night, further accentuating the textured elements of this miniature showcase of manual craftsmanship. Arnold & Son also offers the southern hemisphere and can customize the world map of the Globetrotter collection pieces to special order.
The Globetrotter Steel is equipped with Maison’s A&S6022 self-winding caliber. Like all Arnold & Son movements, it has been fully developed, manufactured, decorated, assembled, adjusted, and fitted at its factory in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The oscillating weight with a Clous de Paris guilloché pattern is skeletonized and NAC-coated, bringing its hue closer to that of the movement.
The Globetrotter Steel preserves the Earth’s half-globe and sapphire crystal ring, which together make it possible to read the time north of the equator. A choice of two dials is available, and both feature a lacquered sunburst motif: one in silvery-white of numbered pieces with no set production limit, and another more exclusive edition in tonal blue, which is limited to only 88 pieces.
