The case of the first Best Quality Arnold and Son Royal Collection TEC1 Replica Watch is crafted out of the same material as the TEC1, rose gold. The 45mm case has a thin bezel, which will make the watch appear even larger than the size would suggest. A strange feature found on this watch is the lack of a running seconds hand. The central hand is part of the chronograph (which does have a visible column wheel, if I may add), as is the subdial at 6 o’clock (which is a 60 minute counter). However, the high-frequency tourbillon that beats at 28,800 BPH has an escape wheel that, if needed, could serve this function. Like other Arnold and Son watches, the 255-part, 30-jewel A&S8305 caliber is completely palladium plated and elaborately finished with brushed surfaces and hand-chamfered polished edges.
The Arnold and Son Replica Watch is dedicated to the 250th anniversary of the brand. Therefore it is proper that the watch includes three features the brand has never put in the same timepiece: automatic winding, a chronograph, and a tourbillon. With Baselworld just over a month away, companies are all announcing their new models for 2014. Arnold and Son is no exception. They are, perhaps, most well known for their Time Pyramid models, which was originally released at Baselworld 2013.
The bi-directional skeletonized Arnold and Son Replica rotor will not block your view of this piece of art while keeping the watch running, not that it needs it with a power reserve of 55 hours. As with the other members of the Royal Collection, its design is inspired by the timepieces crafted by John Arnold for King George II and the other members of the royal court. The watch will be viewable at the A&S booth at Baselworld 2014 and it is sure to have a warm welcome given the design, movement and history of the brand. 250 years is a long time, eh?