Baselworld 2014: Arnold & Son DSTB Dial Side True Beat. Live Pictures and Pricing.

Demonstrating its rich British history and quality Swiss craftsmanship, Arnold & Son unveils the limited edition DSTB —Dial Side True Beat. A tribute to the brand’s 250th anniversary, the DSTB is a testament to its heritage, vision and Haute Horlogerie ingenuity. The true beat seconds is a traditional complication of Arnold & Son, and this watch pays tribute to the watches produced by John Arnold during the second half of his career, when he and his son were the first to develop marine chronometers. Upholding that legacy, Arnold & Son’s master watchmakers thrive on creating complicated movements for exquisite timepieces. Such is the case with the DSTB watch, a truly innovative technical and architectural achievement. The newly developed automatic movement showcases the true beat seconds' mechanism entirely on the dial side. Not just the hands, but also the lever, wheels and three rose-gold treated true beat seconds bridges are located in all their beauty on the dial side. Making the watch even more alluring is the fact that the true beat seconds lever is shaped like an anchor paying homage to Arnold’s maritime achievements.

The true beat seconds are superbly indicated via a large sapphire dial that occupies the top left portion of the dial at 11 o’clock. At the 4 o’clock position, a white lacquered domed subdial indicates the hours and the minutes via blued hands. These generously proportioned, overlapping indications translate into a stunning three-dimensional dial. This restructuring of the intricate mechanism yields a concept not achieved in the watch industry heretofore.

The self-winding calibre A&S6003 has 229 components. In true Arnold & Son style, the movement features Haute Horlogerie finishing with hand-chamfered and satin-finished lever and bridges, polished edges and fine circular graining and Côtes de Genève rayonnantes. The visible dial plate is NAC grey treated with large circular finishing, and blued screws with bevelled and mirror-polished heads.

The magnificent timepiece is housed inside a 43.5 mm 18-carat red gold case with anti-reflective sapphire crystal and caseback for viewing the superbly finished movement, complete with skeletonised oscillating weight. The 250th anniversary edition of the DSTB will be limited to just 50 timepieces underscoring the brand’s commitment to exclusivity and excellence.

Sticker Price $46,500 USD. For more info on Arnold & Son click here.

Technical Specifications Arnold & Son DSTB Dial Side True Beat

Dial: Dmed and white lacquered with sapphire ring indicator for True Beat seconds.

Case: 18K red gold measuring 43.5 mm in diameter.

Crystals: cambered sapphire with anti-reflective coating on both sides.

Movement: Arnold & Son automatic calibre A&S6003 with 32 jewels, power reserve of 50 hours, 28,800 vph. Palladium treated with Haute Horlogerie finishing with hand-chamfered
bridges and polished edges, fine circular graining and Côtes de Genève rayonnantes, dial plate NAC grey treated with large circular finishing, circular satin-finished wheels, blued screws with bevelled and mirror-polished heads. True beat seconds bridges 18K rose gold treated, satin-finished with hand-chamfered and polished edges and with rhodium treated oscillating weight skeletonised with brushed surfaces.

Strap: hand-stitched brown or black alligator leather

Waterproof: 30 meters.

Limited edition: 50 pieces.

Reference: 1ATAR.L01A.C120A