Our Take

Based in La-Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, Arnold and Son continues to climb the ladder of artistry in watchmaking. The Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix, released in a limited edition of five pieces, features micro-artistry, a rare eudialyte dial, and a flying tourbillon. It truly checks all the boxes of haute horlogerie, and represents the origin story of a precious item: pearls. For those in the know, the connection between the mythical dragon and phoenix creatures ties into the Chinese folkloric tradition. It is said that these two creatures decided to create pearls by fusing one tooth and one talon from each respective creature. On the dial, the dragon and phoenix play around the off-center dial, representing the pearl that these legendary creatures came together to create.

Beneath the unbelievably ornate dial lies the A&S8200 calibre. The thinnest movement from the brand, measuring 2.97 mm thick, was entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up within the walls of the brand’s manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Packing a 90-hour power reserve, this manual wind movement comes with everything you would expect to match the quality of the dial – hand-engraved tourbillon bridge, Côtes de Genève, chamfering and polishing by hand, circular satin-finished wheels. From dial to movement, the Ultrathin Tourbillon Phoenix & Dragon is another tour de force from Arnold & Son.

The Details

Brand: Arnold and Son

Model: Ultrathin Tourbillon Dragon & Phoenix

Functions: hours & minutes

Movement: Calibre A&S8200 - Ultrathing Flying Tourbillon

Case: 42mm 18-carat red gold (5n)

Dial: Eudialyte stone, white opal hours counter, hand engraved 18-carat rose gold (4n) dragon & phoenix

Strap: Purple alligator leather, hand-stitched with 18-carat red gold (5N) thread

Water Resistance: 30 meters

Limited Edition: 5 Pieces