In 2013, Arnold & Son unveiled the Time Pyramid watch deftly demonstrating its heritage and ingenuity in watchmaking. A totally new watch movement with unique architecture: the original Time Pyramid wristwatch with a skeletonized pyramid-shaped movement. It seemingly floated between two sapphire crystals – a masterful rendition of technical prowess and unparalleled elegance. This superbly engineered wristwatch is part of the brand’s Instrument Collection that combines instrument precision with classical styling.
To reflect the spirit of the brand’s rich history, yet with a vigilant eye to the future, Arnold & Son has created a highly cohesive and seductive blend of watchmaking feats in this timepiece that includes regulator, skeleton, vertical linear movement, pyramid-placement of components and multi-dimensional depth. The Time Pyramid is part of the Instrument Collection, wherein timepieces are easily identified by their sophisticated dial designs, off- centered hours and minutes indication and visual display of complexities.
The skeletonized caliber A&S 1615 is built in a unique format, with balance wheel at twelve o’clock, situated directly beneath the palette and the anchor wheel (which is shaped in typical Arnold & Son’s majestic “X” form). At the opposite end of the movement, at six o’clock, lay two mainspring barrels that supply the hand-wound caliber with an amazing 80 hours of power reserve, and provide a more constant force to the wheel train.
The gear train runs vertically in a linear format connecting the two barrels at six o’clock to the balance wheel at twelve o’clock, and endowing the movement with its pyramid structure. The bridges are designed so that all of the wheels, the two mainspring barrels, the escapement and balance wheel are all magnificently visible from the dial side.
Additionally, the movement is fitted with two power reserve indicators – one each on either side of the linear gear train – to display the energy level for each barrel separately. The power reserve hands indicate the reserve level via graduated dots (that are printed under the top sapphire crystal) in an arc format, and demonstrate how one barrel transfers energy to the second one when needed. Essentially, as the first barrel winds the second one, the power reserve indicator of the first barrel goes down, while the second one goes up – making for an accurate and intriguing readout.
As if all of this technical ingenuity were not enough, Arnold & Son continued to push the creative envelop in the making of this caliber with its placement of the escapement and seconds indicator at twelve o’clock, and with its three-dimensional construction that replicates the historic Arnold & Son regulators. This Time Pyramid follows the original regulators from the brand with its component positioning and detailed 3D visual appeal. Movement parts and watch indications are built on three levels, with the subsidiary seconds dial on the bottom, the hour indications on a sapphire crystal dial in the middle level, and a silver top ring for the minutes indication.
While the movement is extremely thin – at just 4.4 mm – the multiple levels bring amazing depth and detail to the watch. To further enhance the balance and symmetry of the Time Pyramid, the crown (with Arnold & Son’s engraved logo) is artfully positioned at six o’clock. Each Time Pyramid wristwatch measures 44.6 mm in diameter in its classically elegant 18-carat red gold case. Viewed from the side, the housing is stepped and tapers from top to bottom, the widest section accommodating the extra-large glass with the lower part narrowing to fit snugly on the wrist. Each is finished with an exquisite hand-stitched alligator strap.
