British watchmaker Arnold & Son is going to release a more accessible version of their masterpiece the Time Pyramid in 2014. These timepieces are based on the nineteenth century pyramid clocks. The first Time Pyramid was released in 2013 and was made exclusively in 18kt gold. Now the brand is set to launch this model in a stainless steel version.
The new version retains the original case size of 44.6mm. Though this is big, it isn’t unattractive on the wrist. The steel is highly polished adding to the dressiness of the watch. Arnold and Son places the flattened main crown at the 6 position, which provides this timepiece with a lateral symmetry that is rare in modern day watchmaking. The bezel is polished and it holds firmly a sapphire crystal which protects the skeletonized dial revealing the amazing hand wound movement.
The movement is made in house at the La-Joux Perret manufacturer in Switzerland. The Time Pyramid is fitted with the A&S1615 movement, which is just 4.4mm thick allowing the watch to sit flat on the wrist. This movement features a balance wheel at the 12 position at the apex of the pyramid. The balance wheel vibrates at 21,600 alternations per hour on this model. Unlike the gold version, the steel edition carries a movement made from gunmetal toned nickel-silver components and blued screws, which go very well with the steel watch. The power reserve on this model is 90 hours once fully wound.
As mentioned before, the dial is skeletonized with the main timekeeping dial a little off center. This dial uses blued steel hands which help a lot with legibility. At both the 10 and 2 positions, there are power reserve indicators, which also use blued steel hands. Each power reserve indicator is attached to a separate barrel, and indicates the reserves left on each.
The Arnold & Son Time Pyramid is fitted with a black hand-stitched alligator leather strap. Water resistance on this model is guaranteed to 30 meters (99 feet). The gold model released in 2013 retails for $40,000, while the steel version is slightly more affordable at $29,850.
