ReviewBy Royal Decree: Presenting Arnold & Son’s Royal Navy Eight-Day

There’s a certain satisfaction in owning a timepiece that looks sophisticated and elite. This feeling is undoubtedly surpassed by the sense of confidence that comes with the knowledge of its past, and that its inner mechanics are inspired by one of the most innovative watchmakers in the history of time—much like partaking in a royal secret that only a privileged few are privy to. Owning Arnold & Son’s Royal Navy Eight-Day probably feels something like this. The inspiration for this beautiful timepiece were marine chronometers from the 18th century, created by watchmaker John Arnold, under the patronage of King George III of England. First showcased at Baselworld in 2016, the Royal Navy Eight-Day has, since then, gained an elite following in the world of haute horlogerie. This is not just for its design nuances but also because it offers an impressive power reserve of eight—yes, eight—days. Inspired by marine chronometers of yore, the Royal Navy Eight-Day is a tribute of sorts to Arnold, after whom the brand is named.

Inspired By A Past Of Exploration And Marine Time

English watchmaker John Arnold was known for his original and ingenious inventions. He created one of the earliest marine chronometers in the 18th century, and later manufactured such timekeepers for the Royal Navy, commissioned by King George III. His inventions aided in voyages undertaken by legendary explorer James Cook, and explorer Sir William Edward Parry on his journey toward the North Pole, among others. Arnold christened one of his innovations a ‘chronometer’—a term that still implies ‘precision timekeeping’ almost 300 years later. After Arnold’s death, his work was carried forward by his son John Roger Arnold, also an accomplished watchmaker, and a predominant supplier to British Admiralty as well.

Since the brand’s relaunch in 1995—now based in Switzerland—Arnold & Son have been known for their innovations and for producing complex movements in-house. The ‘Swiss watchmaker with English roots’ offer the best of both worlds that are best known for keeping time: England for Greenwich Mean Time, the standard of time followed the world over, and Switzerland, the home of precision timekeeping.

Arnold & Son Royal Navy Eight-Day SHOP THE COLLECTION

Aesthetics That Call Out To The Ocean

That the appearance of Arnold & Son’s Royal Navy Eight-Day is inspired by its history is apparent most vividly in its royal blue dial in a stunning guilloche pattern—intricate decoration on metal, done with the help of an engraving technique. The machine-made guilloche is overlaid with a blue lacquer, giving the dial its gorgeous blue colour. Depending on the angle of the watch and the amount of light reflected off the dial, this pattern can be reminiscent of the gentle movement of the surf, or angry waves crashing into a dark, stormy sea. This is appropriate, considering the marine inspiration for the Royal Navy Eight-Day.

On this brilliant blue dial is a gently domed sapphire crystal glass aiding legibility, and faceted and diamond-polished applied hour markers, with faceted sword hands. The small seconds sub-dial is at six o’clock, along with a rectangular date window. Yes, even the date has been incorporated into the layout, without cluttering the display. Vertically above it, in a bicompax-inspired layout, like most nautical timepieces, is the power reserve indicator at 12 o’clock. At three is the brand name, and opposite this, proudly displayed at nine o’clock, is the cleverest feature of the watch—‘8 days’. Overall, the dial design is uncluttered, symmetrical and pleasing to the eye.

Depending on the angle of the watch and the amount of light reflected off the dial, the guilloche pattern can be reminiscent of the gentle movement of the surf, or angry waves crashing into a dark, stormy sea

Easy On The Wrist And The Eyes

The 43mm stainless steel case is attached to either a steel bracelet with a deployant buckle, or a blue calfskin strap to match the colour of the dial, depending on the wearer’s preference. Both the bezel and the caseback have a double-stepped arrangement, which go to show the brand’s attention to detail, thereby heightening the timepiece’s overall appeal. The lugs on the case have downward curves, and the first two outer steel links on the bracelet have the same length and curvature as the lugs. Overall, this engineering of the steel makes the watch fit snugly and comfortably on the wrist. Adding to its ergonomics is the not-too-bulky 10.7mm case, making the watch easy to wear all day long.

The crown, an often-ignored but very important part of the timepiece, has the brand’s logo embossed on it. The insignia of a literal crown sheathing a floating anchor evokes the story of John Arnold’s work for the British Royal Navy in the 18th century, reminding the wearer that they own a piece of the past.

Inside the Royal Navy Eight-Day is the A&S1016 manual-winding calibre, developed, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up entirely in-house by Arnold & Son in La Chaux-de-Fonds

The palladium-treated mainplate, bridges with radiating côtes de Genève, circular-grained wheels, blued and bevelled screws, and 18-carat white gold chatons are all visible through the caseback

Within The Royal Case

Inside the Royal Navy Eight-Day is the A&S1016 manual-winding calibre, developed, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up entirely in-house by Arnold & Son in the brand’s manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. The double series-mounted barrel, together with an oscillation frequency of 3Hz, holds the secret behind 192 hours—or eight days—of autonomy. The palladium-treated mainplate, bridges with radiating côtes de Genève, circular-grained wheels, blued and bevelled screws, and 18-carat white gold chatons are all visible through an exhibition caseback, giving the wearer the knowledge that their time(piece) is precise and precious.

Besides being a precise timepiece with an impressive 192-hour power reserve, Arnold & Son’s Royal Navy Eight-Day doesn’t claim to offer any other frills or unnecessary complications. However, subtle design nuances and the fact that it is a tribute to a celebrated watchmaker and inventor—and his work with British Admiralty—are what give the timepiece its prestige in the horological world, and justifiably so. And with a staggering eight-day power reserve, one could certainly argue that this is far more than enough for a wristwatch.