Arnold & Son reimagines its celebrated Globetrotter collection with a refined interpretation that balances heritage with contemporary sensibilities. The new Globetrotter 42 Steel presents a more accessible format—compact, streamlined, and enhanced for everyday legibility. At 42 mm in diameter, this steel-cased timepiece arrives in two distinctive colorways: the 'Strand Blue' and 'Greenwich Green' editions, each limited to 88 pieces.
A Legacy of Maritime Precision
The foundation of Arnold & Son's horological mastery traces back to the pioneering work of John Arnold and his son John Roger, who revolutionized timekeeping for exploration and navigation. In 1771, their chronometers underwent rigorous testing at sea under Admiral Harland's supervision, proving instrumental for longitude calculations that would define British naval supremacy.
These precision instruments became the trusted companions of legendary explorers. Captain James Cook carried John Arnold's first chronometers, No.1 and No.2, during his second voyage of discovery from 1772 to 1775. In 1792, at the Cape of Good Hope, a John Arnold creation guided French Rear-Admiral Antoine Bruny d'Entrecasteaux in his search for the missing explorer Jean-François de Galaup, Comte de La Pérouse. From East India Company trading vessels to Sir John Franklin's 1847 expedition through the Northwest Passage, these instruments were essential tools for conquering uncharted territories.
Modern Exploration Redefined
Drawing inspiration from this heroic era of discovery, the Arnold & Son Globetrotter 42 Steel serves as a contemporary navigation instrument for today's global travelers. The redesigned proportions—42 mm diameter with a refined 15mm thickness—create a more balanced presence on the wrist while maintaining the collection's distinctive character.
Both variants embrace classic English color palettes that honor Arnold & Son's design traditions. The 'Strand Blue' edition ref. 1WTBS.K01A.C0263S pays homage to the London street parallel to the Thames where John Arnold's workshop once stood. The 'Greenwich Green' version ref. 1WTBS.F01A.C1242S evokes the wooded hills surrounding the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, where the world's time standard was established. The ultra-graphic dial undergoes subtle refinements that enhance both visual impact and practical functionality. The signature hand-crafted steel arched bridge remains the collection's defining element, elegantly demarcating day and night hours on the 24-hour bezel ring. A ruby at its center secures the northern hemisphere dome, viewed from the North Pole perspective.
The rotating dome, completing one revolution every 24 hours, displays world time through carefully positioned metallic continents. These sunray-brushed landmasses create striking relief against the oceanic backgrounds, rendered in blue or green depending on the model. A new perimeter ring features twelve reference cities from both hemispheres, each marked with its corresponding code positioned opposite its geographical location.
This intuitive system allows instant visualization of time in any chosen location, read against the 24-hour numerals on the fixed local time ring via two arrows extending from beneath the world map.
Mechanical Excellence
The in-house automatic calibre A&S6122 powers both versions, featuring an enhanced 55-hour power reserve—increased from 45 hours. This movement enables independent adjustment of home and remote time displays through three crown positions.
Entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, and cased at the La Chaux-de-Fonds Manufacture, the A&S6122 showcases traditional haute horlogerie finishing. The circular-grained main plate receives palladium treatment, while bridges feature radiating Côtes de Genève stripes. Satin-finished wheels complement chamfered and polished screws, with the engraved and skeletonized tungsten oscillating weight visible through the sapphire crystal caseback.
Pricing
Each Arnold & Son Globetrotter 42 Steel is presented on matching alligator leather straps—'ink' blue or 'Cornwall' green—secured with a classic stainless steel pin buckle bearing the brand's emblem. These sophisticated travel companions combine practical functionality with refined aesthetics, continuing Arnold & Son's tradition of creating instruments for those who venture beyond the familiar. The watches are available in a limited edition of 88 pieces each.
Sticker Price CHF 18,300—approx USD 23,800. For more info on Arnold & Son click here.
