Arnold & Son

Introducing the Arnold & Son Luna Magna

Arnold & Son

Introducing the Arnold & Son Luna Magna

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The Low Down

The moon phase is one of the most compelling complications in watchmaking. Inherently romantic and inexorably linked to the astronomic realities of timekeeping. Most of the time, though, moon phase displays follow an established formula. The Arnold & Son Luna Magna smashes that formula, with their first-ever three-dimensional moonphase display and the largest of its kind ever built into a wristwatch.

IMHO

There’s a lot to dig into here on the technical front, but it would be doing this watch a real disservice if we didn’t lead with its sheer visual impact. The 44mm red gold case is set with two heavily domed sapphire crystals, giving an uninterrupted view of the watch itself. On the front, a deep aventurine glass dial, twinkling like the firmament, with a traditional white lacquer time display at 12.

The Luna Magna showcases Arnold & Son’s first-ever three-dimensional moonphase display and the largest of its kind ever built into a wristwatch.

While the sculptural moon on the dial rotates in real time, completing a cycle every 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds, the caseback features a traditional moon phase display.

On the back of the case is the finely finished (with radial Geneva stripes no less) workings of the new manually wound A&S1021 calibre. Visible on both the front and the back is the incredible moon. Measuring 12mm across, the moon rotates in real time, completing a cycle every 29 days, 12 hours, 44 minutes and 2.8 seconds. In addition to the sculptural moon, there’s also a more traditional moonphase display on the back of the watch, in case you need a reference. What’s more, the moon is crafted from marble and aventurine, capturing the radiance and the beauty of this celestial body. And for those paying attention and noting that with a thickness of 12mm the Luna Magna must wear large on the wrist, you might be surprised to learn that the complete watch measures 15.9mm thick. The height has been kept to a minimum thanks to the smart deployment of the glassbox-style sapphire crystals and on-the-wrist ergonomics further enhanced with the steeply sloping lugs.

Tech Specs

Arnold & Son Luna Magna

Arnold & Son Luna Magna

Movement: A&S1021, hand-wound mechanical; 12mm thick with the three-dimensional moon (4.75 without); 90 hours power reserve; hours, minutes; astronomical three-dimensional moon phases (one-day correction required every 122 years); moon-phase indicator on the back.
Case and dial: 18-carat red gold; 44mm by 15.9mm thick; sapphire crystals on both sides; water-resistant to 30 metres; blue aventurine glass dial; white lacquered time display.
Strap: Hand-stitched blue alligator leather with red gold pin buckle.
Price and availability: CHF 43,900 (excl tax); limited to 28 pieces.