SpotlightAn Ode To Naval Heritage: Introducing Arnold & Son’s Longitude Titanium

Anyone who is familiar with Arnold & Son, would understand that their watches flaunt a distinct maritime identity with traditional watchmaking at its core. The brand have established their expertise over complications such as tourbillons, world timers, moon phase watches, and Metiers d’Art timepieces. However, this year they have pulled out all the stops and finally forayed into the premium sports watch segment, which had been an uncharted territory for the brand. They have launched the Longitude Titanium—a sporty-chic COSC-certified chronometer fitted on an integrated titanium bracelet, which will be showcased at the upcoming Watches & Wonders in Geneva.

Just like all Arnold & Son watches, the Longitude Titanium, too, is inspired by the aesthetics and construction of John Arnold’s marine chronometers. This contemporary sports watch ‘combines naval heritage with a refined design and highly resistant materials’. The 42.5mm watch looks sleek and stylish, crafted in titanium and houses a vertical satin-finished dial, which follows the symmetry of the bracelet’s finish. The case is highly ergonomic and ultralight—offering maximum comfort on the wrist, thanks to titanium, which is about 45 percent lighter than steel. Here, the curves and profile of the case are ‘directly inspired by the design of contemporary sailing boats. The case middle is taut like a ship’s waterline, while the caseback is basin-shaped like a keel’. The fluted bezel with 60 notches is reminiscent of the fluted ring found in John Arnold’s chronometers. The crown is also protected by a shoulder, screwed down to offer a water-resistance of 100m.

The Longitude Titanium measures 42.5mm and looks sleek and stylish. Crafted in titanium, it houses a vertical satin-finished dial, which follows the symmetry of the bracelet’s finish

The timepiece is replete with an interchangeable system and comes with an additional rubber strap

The dial is offered in three hues and is inspired by Cornwall, the birthplace of John Arnold. The first reference comes in a sandy golden shade called ‘Kingsand’, and is limited to 88 pieces. The second iteration flaunts an ocean blue dial, while the third showcases a verdant fern green hue. The power reserve indicator is positioned at 12 o’clock and is visible through a cut-out pattern, flaunting a disc in a different hue, peeping from underneath. There’s also an eye-catching seconds sub-dial, located at six o’clock with a snailed finish. This layout is also inspired by John Arnold’s marine chronometers, which displayed the elements on the timekeeper in this symmetry. There are also satin-finished, polished, and luminescent hour-markers that are in sync with the bracelet links.

At the core of the Logitude Titanium lies the new A&S6302 calibre, certified by the Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres (COSC). This certification is also essential as it links this contemporary watch with the legendary marine chronometers that were known for their accuracy. It is wound by a skeletonised oscillating weight, carved from a single block of 22-karat gold, and a design that is a nod to its nautical lineage.

The power reserve indicator is positioned at 12 o’clock and is visible through a cut-out pattern, while the seconds sub-dial, located at six o’clock features a snailed finish

It is driven by the new COSC-certified A&S6302 calibre, wound by a skeletonised, 22-karat gold oscillating weight, supplying a power reserve of at least 60 hours

Like all Arnold & Son movements, this calibre is also developed in-house, features a large barrel and beats at a frequency of 28,000vph to supply a power reserve of at least 60 hours. The timepiece is replete with an interchangeable system and comes with an additional rubber strap.