Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Ultimate Sapphire Blue

Arnold & Son continues to push the boundaries of mechanical artistry with the launch of two new interpretations of its iconic DSTB 42 timepiece. The DSTB 42 Red Gold Mint Green and DSTB 42 Platinum Ascot Blue editions bring a fresh chromatic perspective to one of the brand’s most emblematic complications: the true beat seconds.

A tribute to the marine chronometers once supplied by John Arnold to the Royal Navy, the true beat seconds—also known as “deadbeat seconds”—is a rare and technically demanding feature. Unlike the sweeping motion of a conventional seconds hand, this mechanism causes the hand to jump precisely once per second, echoing the cadence of traditional precision timekeeping.

In these two new editions, Arnold & Son elevates the complication with bold color and refined materials. The Red Gold Mint Green model features a vibrant mint green dial housed in an 18K red gold case, while the Platinum Ascot Blue edition pairs a deep blue dial with the cool elegance of platinum 950. Both dials are grained for a rich, light-catching texture and are punctuated by a white opal subdial for hours and minutes, offset at 5 o’clock.

The true beat seconds mechanism is fully visible on the dial side, supported by three openworked bridges crafted in solid gold—red gold for the Mint Green edition and white gold for the Ascot Blue. The seconds hand travels along a railway track between 9 and 12 o’clock, orchestrated by a dedicated mechanism that mimics the precision of an escapement. The anchor-shaped counterweight, a nod to Arnold & Son’s maritime heritage, adds a poetic touch to the technical display.

Powering both models is the in-house A&S6203 automatic movement, beating at 4 Hz and offering a 55-hour power reserve. The movement is meticulously finished with Geneva stripes, perlage, polished angles, and a 22K gold oscillating weight.

Each watch is paired with a hand-stitched alligator leather strap—green for the red gold version and ink blue for the platinum—and secured with a matching pin buckle. Both editions are strictly limited to 18 pieces worldwide, underscoring their exclusivity and collectability.

With the DSTB 42 Red Gold Mint Green and Platinum Ascot Blue, Arnold & Son reaffirms its commitment to blending horological innovation with bold design. These timepieces are not only feats of mechanical engineering but also vibrant expressions of individuality and craftsmanship.

View Watch Gallery

Greubel Forsey presents the final edition of the Balancier Contemporain, marking the definitive conclusion of this iconic calibre. This timepiece is housed in a 39.6mm stainless steel case – a material that has only been used twice before in the history of the Atelier. Limited to just 33 timepieces, this edition will be built and delivered exclusively in 2025. Once complete, the Balancier Contemporain calibre will be permanently retired and will never be made again.

More than a final edition, this stainless steel interpretation is a statement of purpose – it is the rarest and most exclusive case material in the Atelier’s repertoire. Its presence here is deliberate: to honour the legacy of the Balancier Contemporain with purity, restraint, and resolve.

Compact, Yet Monumental

When it was introduced, the Balancier Contemporain redefined expectations – delivering the full Greubel Forsey experience in just 39.6mm. This final edition preserves that feat of engineering and design. Under its high-domed sapphire crystal, the gold dial reveals a rich interplay of levels, textures, and finishes. A sunburst blue hour-ring frames the composition, while a deep blue minute-circle and sectorial indications for the small seconds and power reserve create both contrast and clarity. A large visual opening draws the eye to the in-house 12.6mm balance wheel, suspended above a flat, black-polished gold plate that provides visual depth and dramatic reflection.

The movement is composed of 256 parts, each hand-finished to the highest standard. The bridges are in nickel silver, frosted and spotted by hand, with perfectly polished bevels and countersinks, straight-grained flanks, and a subtle blue treatment unique to this edition. The balance wheel bridge is flat black polished steel – one of the most demanding finishes in haute horlogerie – with hand-polished bevels that reflect light beautifully. The balance wheel itself is mounted above a flat black-polished gold plate, a surface so refined it becomes both technical and architectural.

On the movement side, a black-polished gold plate is engraved in relief with the fundamental values of Greubel Forsey – invisible to the wearer, yet finished with the same uncompromising care. Olive-domed jewels are set in gold chatons, with hand-polished countersinks that catch the light at just the right angle. Every component, visible or not, is treated with the same reverence – as if each part could stand on its own as a miniature work of art.

A Closing Statement – and a New Beginning

This is the last timepiece to carry the Balancier Contemporain calibre – but it is also the first to signal a new direction. With this final edition, Greubel Forsey opens a new chapter focused on small-diameter timepieces. Over the coming years, this creative momentum will continue to build, exploring new dimensions of mechanical expression, proportion, and elegance – all without compromise.

The Balancier Contemporain in stainless steel is a definitive conclusion – and a confident beginning.
 

View Watch Gallery

 

Chronoswiss celebrates three decades of horological mastery with the launch of the Opus Purple Rain, a bold and limited edition chronograph that reimagines the brand’s iconic skeletonized timepiece. Limited to just 30 pieces worldwide, this anniversary edition marks a milestone in modern independent watchmaking, honoring the legacy of the original Opus while pushing the boundaries of design and mechanical transparency.

First introduced in 1995 by Chronoswiss founder Gerd-Rüdiger Lang, the Opus revolutionized the chronograph landscape by exposing its intricate movement architecture on the dial side—a radical departure from the traditionally closed and utilitarian chronographs of the time. The Opus became a symbol of mechanical artistry and a signature of the brand’s avant-garde spirit.

The Opus Purple Rain carries this legacy into the future with unapologetic flair. Encased in Grade 5 titanium and finished with a radiant purple CVD coating, the watch is both lightweight and visually arresting. Its skeletonized dial, also rendered in ultraviolet hues, reveals the ruthenium-coated Chronoswiss C.741S automatic chronograph caliber, offering a 46-hour power reserve and a full suite of chronograph functions including central seconds, 30-minute and 12-hour counters, small seconds, and date.

Adding to its rebellious character is a white UV-reactive leather strap that transforms into glowing purple when exposed to sunlight—an unexpected and surreal tribute to the energy behind this creation. Signature Chronoswiss elements such as the onion crown, coin-edged bezel, and patented Autobloc screw-in lugs remain intact, anchoring the watch in its heritage while embracing a futuristic aesthetic.

“The Opus Purple Rain is not just a commemorative piece—it’s a statement,” said Chronoswiss CEO Oliver Ebstein. “It embodies the spirit of mechanical transparency and innovation that has defined Chronoswiss for 30 years. This is a watch for those who dare to see how far precision and design can be pushed.”

With only 30 pieces produced, the Opus Purple Rain is destined to become a collector’s treasure—a celebration of the past, a vision of the future, and a mechanical theatre on the wrist. 

View Watch Gallery