The Earth Dome
Step 1 – Mix
Preparing the different blue tones with colour pigment.
Step 2 – Oceans
Painting 8 layers of translucent dark blue lacquer giving depth to the oceans.
In between each step – Drying
The Earth needs to dry 2 hours between each layer
Step 3 – Waves
Painting the waves with mother-of-pearl powder before the final layer of blue lacquer.
Step 4 – Shores
Painting the shores with a specific paint mixed with Super-Luminova
Step 5 – Earth Dome Final Check
– Final check under microscope, also with a UV Lamp. It requires 2 to 3 days to complete an Earth Dome. Utmost care is needed to paint the dome as the continents are mirror-polished and a single mishandling could damage their surface.
The Upper Bridge
Step 1 – Machining
The bridge is first a metal plate that is chiselled to the micron with a CNC machine.
In between each step
The bridge needs to be washed and dried in between each step.
Step 2 – Sandblasting
The inner sides of the bridge are sand-blasted contrasting with the mirror-polished surface.
Step 3 – Polishing
The upper surface is mirror-polished. This step is particularly difficult due to the fineness of the piece.
Step 4 – Plating
The bridge is plated in a Rhodium bath.
Step 5 – Upper Bridge Final Check
Final check with a loupe. It takes 2 days to complete a full bridge. Due to the fineness, the bridge is fragile and needs utmost care to keep the exact curve to fit on the Earth Dome.
The Assembling
Step 1 – Dome Setting
After assembly of the movement and the dial, the watchmaker can set the dome. This step needs a lot of dexterity as it must be lifted from the bottom and delicately put down on a central pivot.
Step 2 – Dome Screwing
The watchmaker secures the stability of the dome with a micro round nut.
Step 3 – Bridge and Sapphire Ring Setting
The sapphire ring indicating the world time and the central jewel are assembled together with the upper bridge. The ensemble is then placed on the Earth dome and must perfectly fit into the lateral supports at 3 o’clock and 9 o’clock.
Step 4 – Bridge and Sapphire Ring Screwing
The upper bridge is secured with one micro screw on each side.
Step 5 – Sapphire Crystal Fitting
The domed sapphire crystal is fitted on top of the bridge.
Step 6 – Final Check
It needs 2 to 3 hours to the watchmkaer to assemble the Globetrotter.
Arnold and Son Globetrotter Steel
Available in:
– Limited Edition Blue Dial