TEE TIME - In Review
Extra Terrestrial
Ariel Adams investigates Arnold & Son's True Moon Meteorite
T
he origin of measuring time here on Earth is directly connected with looking at the sky. The only events which occurred with any predictability in ancient times were those in the skies. Even early civilizations looked to the heavens with curiosity, mapping out the movements they saw, and more importantly trying to predict them. The firm need and desire for accurate predictions kept many eyes celestially pointed. It is thus no coincidence that we paid particularly close attention to our closest neighbor in the sky, the moon. Paying close attention to the movements of the moon as well as the changes it experienced allowed us to create the lunar calendar. Given that lunar changing and the moon’s position in the sky seemed to occur in cycles, the concept of seasons and years began to take hold. Looking back at ancient cultures and the sophistication of their calendar systems is impressive, though understanding their motives of timing and seasonal predictability helps understand the reason for their efforts. As a nod to the incredible role that the moon played in the development of our sophisticated timing and calendar systems, we have for ages featured moon phase indication complications on our clocks and later wrist watches. 26
HK GOLFER・DEC 2010/JAN 2011
No doubt there is a certain romance about having a visual indicator on one’s wrist that displays the current phase of the moon. For many people the information is quite useful, but in today’s world the complication is more honorary. At the same time, when you mix the complex and precise nature of a “true moon phase” indication system with today’s sophisticated mechanics, interesting things are possible. Just as is the case with the moon phase indicator on the Arnold & Son True Moon Meteorite watch, high-end timepieces tend to make a point out of precision. Look on the dial of most moon phase indicating watches and they will point out that the phase of the moon is 29 and a half days. In reality the phase of the moon is closer to 29 days, 12 hours, and 44 minutes. Taking in to account this extra time, the Caliber A1788 automatic movement that the True Moon Meteorite watch is based on delivers a truer level of precision – which is the basis of the name of the watch. The movement also features a unique system for indicating a very accurate depiction of the moon during waxing and waning periods. In accordance with the “true” nature of the watch, Arnold & Son uses a photorealistic image of the moon in the moon phase indicator widow. The moon phase indicator is located near the 6 o’clock position of the dial, and adjacent to it at 12 o’clock is an image of the moon. Arnold & Son likens the dial of the watch to the skies showing the intimate nature of the earth and moon’s distance to one another (though for scale purposes the earth should have been quite larger). There is also a date indicator at 3 o’clock. HKGOLFER.COM
In a steel or 18k pink gold case, the True Moon Meteorite watch is a generous 46mm wide in size. Long curved lugs help the watch be comfortable, while a curved black or brown crocodile strap integrates closely with the case. The case is water resistant to 100 meters and has a sapphire crystal over the dial. While the Arnold & Son True Moon collection of timepieces is not new, the Meteorite version is. Arnold & Son chooses rare Arizona found meteorite for the dial. This hard to acquire meteorite style comprises just 14 per cent of the meteorite available. Its beautiful crystalline structure is stained gray, and on top of it are large applied hour indicators in steel or gold. Arnold & Son always tends to use large, properly sized hands with designs based on historical navigational equipment. With the earth, moon, and sky (as represented by the meteorite) on the dial, this True Moon Meteorite watch is most suitable for horological connoisseurs and fans of larger sized more formal wrist wear.
SCORECARD Arnold & Son True Moon Meteorite Unique Meteorite dial Rare Meteorite stone from Arizona with special hatching, as hard as steel Automatic movement caliber A1788 Steel case Pink gold 18K 4N case Cambered sapphire crystal case back Diameter: 46mm Date at 3 o’clock Patented moon phase system Quick setting of the moon Perpetual Moon cycle (independent gear system) Water-resistant to 100 feet (30 metres.) Black or Brown croco strap HK$197,800 (Steel); HK$321,900 (Gold)
HKGOLFER.COM
HK GOLFER・DEC 2010/JAN 2011
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