Introducing the Arnold & Son Nebula 41.5 Steel

The Low-Down

Setting itself apart from skeletonised watches, the manual-wind A&S5201 driving Arnold & Son’s Nebula 41.5 Steel was conceived as a skeletonised movement from the beginning. This gives the movement significant advantages in comparison to movements that had material excised from them more as an afterthought, in that the A&S5201 is optimised for display from its very conception. As such, the layout of its components exhibits uncommon symmetry, with twin barrels above the 9-3 axis, mirrored by seconds ring and balance wheel below. All these are held in place by seven bridges radiating from the centre on the dial side, or converging towards the centre, depending on one’s point of view. The orderliness of the mechanical microcosm in plain sight here is a worthy decoration in its own right.

Arnold & Son Nebula 41.5 Steel

In a further demonstration of ‘less is more’, Arnold & Son has also pared down the colours in the Nebula to just two: blue and silver. The main plate, barrel covers, and dial flange are coloured with blue PVD to sharpen the contrast with the bridges which have been given extra sheen by being treated with palladium. This combination is then echoed in the steel case and blue rubber strap. A steel bracelet option is also available.

Arnold & Son Nebula 41.5 Steel
Arnold & Son Nebula 41.5 Steel

Another element of the Nebula 41.5’s lightness comes from the very thin movement, allowing for case height of just 8.73mm. Nevertheless, the watch offers substantial power reserve of 90 hours, courtesy of its dual barrels.

Arnold & Son Nebula 41.5 Steel
Arnold & Son Nebula 41.5 Steel

IMHO

Arnold & Son has pulled off much sparkle in the Nebula 41.5 Steel, with nary a precious stone in sight, and the watch is well named, as “nebula” in its Latin root refers to mist and fog, and has come to mean the enormous clouds of gas and dust that result from the explosion of dying stars; it also works in reverse, where gas and dust coalesce into stars. The skeletonization of the Nebula and its ultra-thin profile allude to the lightness of mist, while the radiating bridges and symmetrical movement architecture point to life and death of stars in the ordered universe.

Arnold & Son Nebula 41.5 Steel
Arnold & Son Nebula 41.5 Steel

Tech Specs

Movement: Skeletonized manual-wind A&S5201, beat rate 3Hz, power reserve of 90 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds
Case: 41.50mm x 8.73mm, steel, domed sapphire crystal, water resistant to 30 meters
Strap: stainless steel bracelet or blue rubber strap
Price: CHF 16,900 (steel bracelet); CHF 15,700 (rubber strap)

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