Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse”

Based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Arnold & Son has built its identity around the creation of high watchmaking complications rooted in the maritime legacy of John Arnold, the 18th-century visionary whose pursuit of chronometric precision helped shape modern horology. Known for complications such as dead-beat seconds, dual time zones, and long power reserves, the manufacture continues to fuse technical rigor with poetic expression. Its latest creation, the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse,” elevates the collection into the realm of métiers d’art while honoring the Chinese zodiac tradition.

Created to celebrate the Fire Horse, which will govern the lunar year from February 2026 to 2027, this edition follows in the footsteps of Arnold & Son’s previous zodiac releases. Limited to just eight pieces and housed in a 41.5mm red gold case, the watch presents a dramatic nocturnal tableau that comes alive in low light. A rearing horse, sculpted in 18-carat red gold appliqué and entirely hand engraved, commands the dial from a hilltop, its muscular form charged with energy and motion.

The backdrop is a richly textured black aventurine sky, shimmering like a celestial vault. Beneath it, miniature-painted golden dust traces the horse’s path, evoking sparks and embers ignited by its passage. Fine stonework, relief engraving, and hand painting converge to create a sense of depth and movement rarely seen on a moon-phase display. As darkness falls, touches of red and yellow Super-LumiNova transform the scene: embers glow, contours sharpen, and the horse’s silhouette stands out beneath a luminous mother-of-pearl moon. On the lunar disc itself, the constellations of Ursa Major and Cassiopeia appear, reinforcing the dual nature of the display—both artistic and astronomical.

True to Arnold & Son’s reputation as a precision watchmaker, the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse” is powered by the manually wound calibre A&S1512. A technical centerpiece of the collection, the movement features an oversized moon disc nearly matching the diameter of the calibre itself. Thanks to its exceptional construction, the moon-phase display will deviate by just one day after 122 years, assuming the watch remains fully wound—an extraordinary level of accuracy that mirrors the brand’s chronometric heritage.

Beating at 3Hz and equipped with twin barrels, the A&S1512 delivers a robust 90-hour power reserve. A secondary moon-phase indicator on the case back allows for precise setting of the lunar age, while refined hand-finishing underscores the movement’s artisanal pedigree. Designed, manufactured, assembled, decorated, and adjusted entirely in La Chaux-de-Fonds, the Perpetual Moon 41.5 Red Gold “Year of the Horse” stands as a rare fusion of astronomical precision, symbolic storytelling, and uncompromising craftsmanship – all a reflection of Arnold & Son’s creative spirit.