Art Attack

Arnold & Son has released a totally new in-house watch movement with a unique architecture inspired by the regulators created by John and Roger Arnold more than two centuries ago, and by antique skeleton clocks. While it doesn’t focus on conventional artisanal techniques, the finishing and aesthetic are completely riveting and deserves mention. The Time Pyramid comes in a 44.6mm 18k red gold case, and features the handwound, skeletonised calibre A&S1615 which is pyramid-shaped and seemingly floats between two sapphire crystals. The balance wheel is located at 12 o’clock while two mainspring barrels that provide 80 hours of power reserve are on the opposite end. The watch – with hours, minutes, seconds and a double power reserve indication – features manually chamfered bridges with polished edges as well as circular satin-finished wheels and dial frame.

One of the big names in artisanal watchmaking, Ulysse Nardin, presents a minute repeater with an intriguing feature: jacquemarts. These are animated figures that move in sync once the minute repeater function is activated. The Carnival of Venice watch depicts two jacquemarts in front of the Rialto Bridge on the Grand Canal, which lift the masks they’re wearing once the hammers strike the gongs. To add to the elaborate movement, the dial is decorated further by champlevé enamelling, chiselling and hand-engraved details. The limited edition timepiece is fitted with the manual-winding calibre UN-71 that offers 48 hours of power reserve. The 42mm case come in platinum with an option for 18k rose gold. Only 18 pieces of the watch will be created.

Roger Dubuis takes the values of its Excalibur collection to heart with a playful timepiece that depicts the legendary Knights of the Round Table in 3-D. Twelve 7mm figures cast in gold and carrying their swords replace traditional hour markers and make a perfect circle around a dial in grand feu enamel. Each figure is different, with the minute details all carved by hand. Underneath the table beats the automatic calibre RD821. On the back of the watch is the solemn oath of the Knights of the Round Table, together with a lacquered coat of arms, engraved in a circle. The 45mm watch comes in pink gold and carries the Geneva seal. Only 88 pieces will be produced.