OPENWORKED , SVELTE DESIGN
The architecture of the Globetrotter Gold crossways bridge is remarkable . Classy and svelte , the bridge is formed of one central piece in solid gold , with openwork taken to the extreme .
The flat parts of the arch are polished , its sides are satin-finished and the long surfaces of its chamfers bevelled . These types of finishes and the level of quality achieved are those commonly applied to the components of Arnold & Son calibres . However , the dimensions of this bridge are considerably larger than they would be within a movement , and thus demanded exceptional care and precision .
MANUAL , HAND CRAFTED
At 45 mm , the case of the Globetrotter Gold is vast . The hemisphere was the guideline to its design and its surface area requires a certain amount of space . Above the equator are North America , Eurasia and part of Africa , all represented with a wealth of detail . In reality , the continents form a single rhodium-plated , polished sculpture . In contrast , the Atlas , Hoggar , Himalayan , Rocky , Ural and Alps mountain ranges are given a matt finish .
The oceans are hand painted with several coats of bluepigmented lacquer enriched with pearlescent powder to bestow exceptional depth and shine . The coastlines are lighter on the blue colour scale with added Super-LumiNova , so that they stand out at night and further accentuate the relief of this small piece of manual craftsmanship .
MANUFACTURED AND FINELY CRAFTED
Like a finely-crafted atlas , the Globetrotter Gold represents our Planet . The lands seen on the surface are sculpted to precision and together with the deep , handpainted seas , they serve as a backdrop to the world time dual time zone display .
Overhanging these is an infinite arch which fixes their rotation . In shades of blue , Arnold & Son pays a chromatic tribute to John Arnold ’ s marine chronometers , which were embarked on English naval ships in the 18th century .
The Globetrotter Gold is assembled on the Maison ’ s automatic calibre A & S6022 . Like all Arnold & Son movements , it has been entirely developed , produced , decorated , assembled , adjusted and fitted at their plant in La Chaux-de-Fonds . Its oscillating weight is 22-carat gold , skeletonised and features the Clou de Paris guilloché pattern .
The A & S6022 calibre is decorated with the traditional fine watchmaking motifs : stippled main plate , radiant Côtes de Genève bridges , satin-finished wheels and bevelled , polished screws . Its specific finishes are also NAC-treated . This type of plating uses precious metals close to platinum to produce a particularly high-quality anthracite result that perfectly matches the red gold case of the Globetrotter Gold .
The Globetrotter Gold measures 45 mm in diameter . In its centre , the dome depicting the Northern Hemisphere is held from side to side by an immense openworked bridge carved in red gold . This arch is the visual signature of the Globetrotter , and houses in its centre a functional ruby holding the axis of universal time .
REFINED IN BLUE
With its Globetrotter Gold , Arnold & Son has chosen to refine the aesthetics of this major piece in a way which affirms its elegance and modernity . The appliqué indexes on two planes are faceted in red gold and painted in Super- LumiNova . The bottom part of the dial which surrounds the map of the world has a subtle sunlit finish in shades of blue , and the ring showing universal time is in transparent sapphire . Local times are therefore read by the red hands pointing to the gold indexes , while world times are identified by visualising an imaginary longitude from the ruby in the central bridge to the 24-hour sapphire ring .
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