Armin Strom Orbit Lime Green & Ice Blue

The 41.5 mm diameter Constant Force Tourbillon 11 watch in 18-carat yellow gold, released by Arnold & Son as a limited edition of 11, is driven by a hand-wound mechanical movement. Equipped with two barrels to give a 100-hour power reserve, this timepiece was entirely developed and built at the manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. It is fitted with a constant force mechanism visible on the enamel dial and is regulated by a tourbillon that can be seen on the back. The architecture of this calibre is inspired by that of the timekeeping instrument driven by the first tourbillon created by Abraham-Louis Breguet in 1808, based on a chronometer movement designed by John Arnold. This first tourbillon regulator, now in the British Museum, was given to John Roger Arnold by the Paris-based watchmaker in honour of his scientific collaboration and friendship with his father. The Constant Force Tourbillon 11 timepiece, designed to mark the end of the 260th anniversary celebrations of John Arnold’s legacy, pays tribute to the watchmaker’s ingenuity and his close association with Abraham-Louis Breguet.

The greatest watchmakers of the Age of Enlightenment often knew each other. Some of them exchanged views and appreciated each other despite language barriers and political obstacles. And this was the case with John Arnold and Abraham-Louis Breguet. These two watchmakers, undoubtedly the most productive of the second half of the 18th century, forged a friendship that nothing could shake, not even the throes of war between the two countries or the French Revolution. Aware of their respective talents, during Abraham-Louis Breguet’s frequent trips to London between 1789 and 1791, they shared their views and knowledge of the principles of timekeeping, furthering the science of timekeeping, which in their eyes definitely knew no frontiers.

Angelus introduces a new collection that plays with the tension between the circle and openworking. Flying Tourbillon Titanium adopts the architecture of the house’s contemporary case, consisting of a carbon composite container surrounded by a titanium case middle with a notched bezel. Inside, Angelus has installed a new hand-wound movement, the A-310 calibre, equipped with a flying tourbillon at 6 o’clock. Large Arabic numerals float between the sapphire crystal and the PVD-treated bridges, adding rhythm and lightness to Flying Tourbillon Titanium. The inaugural version is clad in blue, from the movement to the flange and the interchangeable alligator-leather and rubber straps.

The finesse of curves With its graceful curves and wide apertures, Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton also stands out for its slimness. Its new case, with a diameter of 41.5 mm and a thickness of 8.4 mm, presents the flying tourbillon calibre in its purest expression. The Ultrathin Tourbillon Skeleton collection, adorned in red gold or platinum, is issued in two limited series featuring 28 watches apiece. Arnold & Son continues its tour of the Ultrathin Tourbillon collection. The A&S8320 calibre unveils its curves, apertures and details within a 41.5 mm case in either red gold (5N) or platinum (PT 950), each released in a run of 28 timepieces. Encased in this precious housing, Arnold & Son’s flying tourbillon stands out for its finesse and precision. Finesse, because at just 3.3 mm thick, it is one of the slimmest skeleton tourbillon calibres in existence. Precision, because this one-minute flying tourbillon is assembled with a variable-inertia balance for enhanced calibration stability.

Armin Strom co-founders Serge Michel and Claude Greisler look back on 15 years of achievements including 17 exclusive movements, patents, unique designs and 97% in-house production depth. 15 years ago, Armin Strom transformed from a one-man show to a fully integrated manufacture brand when entrepreneur Serge Michel and master watchmaker Claude Greisler took over the reins.

Since 2009, the two childhood friends have been dedicating their lives to the science of movement, building up an independent manufacture with a team of 38, including 22 skilled watchmakers able to turn raw steel bars into hundreds of complex, interconnected watch components. So far, this has resulted in 17 brand-unique different calibres with a signature open-worked design divided among the brand’s three main pillars: System 78, Resonance and Masterpiece.

The omnipresent grey of titanium extends into the sunray-brushed grey of the "Magnetic Silver" dial. Chronodate Titanium expresses its technical sophistication in an ensemble where deep black contrasts with a hint of red. With this ultra-sporty, understated and intense new colour scheme, Chronodate Titanium catches the eye, fixes it and draws it towards the horizon.

Angelus introduces a new shade of its self-winding chronograph with peripheral date. Chronodate welcomes the silver-grey "Magnetic Silver" in a tone-on-tone effect. The harmonious blend between titanium case, titanium bracelet or black rubber strap, rhodium-plated hands and the dial surface creates a technical monochrome impression. This grey continues into black, revealing the movement container and then the carbon composite push-pieces. This black ensemble culminates in the two counters, one a 30-minute chronograph totaliser and the other with a small seconds.

Chronodate is a fusion of two different styles: Angelus, the historic brand and its Swiss watchmaking heritage, and Angelus, the technical, modern brand with a penchant for complications. With this colour combination, the house presents the most striking version of this chronograph collection.