SpotlightCelestial Celebration: Introducing Arnold & Son’s Perpetual Moon 38 Mintnight

A moon phase is probably one of the most beautiful complications when it comes to fine watchmaking and also extremely versatile in the way it can be represented. And one of the brands that crafts some of the most exquisite moon phase timepieces is undoubtedly Arnold & Son—their Luna Magna being a magnum opus, which stands out for its ingenious display and a three-dimensional view of the moon. While this timepiece comes in various iterations, there is also the Perpetual Moon line, which has some spectacular watches representing the celestial body in all its glory, which is why it’s not difficult to reason why the brand has chosen to focus on this timekeeper for Geneva Watch Days 2023. For this year’s edition, Arnold & Son have launched the Perpetual Moon 38 Mintnight—a poetic complication, featuring hints of mint green on the dial. This is a slightly different take on representing the night, which is mostly done by using aventurine or a cobalt blue backdrop, against which a moon phase is depicted. But here, one finds mother-of-pearl in hues of mint green, turquoise, teal, and sky blue—a brilliant attempt at showcasing the sky. The Perpetual Moon Mintnight comes in an 18-karat white-gold case, measuring 38mm and is set with 80 brilliant-cut diamonds. It is protected by a domed sapphire crystal on both sides and offers a water-resistance of 30m. Here’s a closer look at this dazzling timekeeper.

An Ode To The Night Sky—The Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon 38 Mintnight

This poetic complication, available in a limited-edition of 18 pieces, looks quite elegant with diamonds, mother-of-pearl, and ruthenium crystals on the dial. It showcases the night in shades of mint green, turquoise, teal, and sky blue, and this has been achieved by a gentle graduation of the mother-of-pearl, shaped like clouds. This is enhanced by the sparkling ruthenium moon and dial foreground, coupled with diamonds on the bezel, horns, hour markers, and the crown—which add up to a total of 80 brilliant-cut diamonds. And when added to the 22 diamonds adorning its buckle, they amount to a total weight of 2.57 carats. Behind the mother-of-pearl layers lies another disc with hand-painted stars, placed right next to the ruthenium moon and looks absolutely stunning.

The Perpetual Moon Mintnight comes in an 18-karat white-gold case, measuring 38mm and is set with 80 brilliant-cut diamonds. It is protected by a domed sapphire crystal on both sides and offers a water-resistance of 30m

The High-End Mechanism: A&S1612 Manufacture Calibre

Arnold & Son have created a specific in-house calibre—the smallest in their collection, to grace this 38mm timepiece. This manual-winding powerhouse has sleek proportions, measuring 29.4mm in diameter and 4.95mm in thickness—designed with the case in mind. It beats at 21,600vph and provides an autonomy of 90 hours, and like all A7S calibres, this one, too, is replete with Cotes de Geneve stripes, radiating from the centre, polished and chamfered bridges, circular satin-finished wheels, and blued and chamfered polished screws.

Arnold & Son have created a specific in-house calibre—the smallest in their collection, measuring 29.4mm—designed with the case in mind. It beats at 21,600vph and provides an autonomy of 90 hours

The moon phase complication is represented by the large disc with its various crescents occupying the window between ten and two o’clock, and is built to remain accurate for 122 years

This mechanism operates the moon phase complication, represented by the large disc with its various crescents occupying the wide window situated between ten and two o’clock. The brand have ensured that this will remain accurate for 122 years, which means that, if the watch is constantly wound, it would take more than a 100 years for the mechanism to experience a one-day time lag when compared with the real moon and its rotations.