A Timepiece of Ancient Beauty: Arnold & Son Unveils HM Steel Amber
THE RESULT OF A CHANCE ENCOUNTER WITH A FOSSILIZED RESIN
PRESS RELEASE | 350 WORDS | 3 MIN READ
28th February, 2025: Arnold & Son has unveiled a stunning new addition to its collection, the HM Steel Amber, a timepiece that captures the essence of millennia-old beauty. This watch showcases the rare and captivating Baltic amber, a fossilized resin that reveals the richness of life and the magic of time's passage.
A Chance Encounter
Arnold & Son's HM Steel Amber stands as a striking testament to their exploration of exceptional materials. Following ventures with charoite, specular hematite, and meteorite, the brand now unveils the rare, glistening pale yellow hues of Baltic amber. This ancient resin, fossilized over millions of years, graces the dial of this remarkable timepiece. The quest for the perfect amber was a meticulous undertaking, beginning with a 1.6-kilogram block over 30 million years old. Due to amber's unpredictable internal quality, each cylinder extracted was rigorously inspected, with only the most flawless specimens meeting Arnold & Son's exacting standards.
Baltic Amber: Unique and Rare
In the realm of watchmaking, Baltic amber stands as a rare and captivating material. Its inherent uniqueness is evident in the distinct patterns of streaks found within each piece, ensuring no two dials are alike. The amber's heart, a luminous pale yellow, offers a striking contrast to its brownish-red surface, creating a visually compelling depth. This natural artistry is further enhanced by the HM Steel Amber's pairing with an 'imperial green' alligator leather strap, whose warm tones subtly harmonize with the amber's natural palette.
The Art of the A&S1001 Calibre
The HM Steel Amber's dial, devoid of complications, focuses solely on the beauty of the amber. The dial is simply drilled in the center to accommodate the hour and minute hands, allowing the material's natural beauty to take center stage. The watch features an ultra-thin 39.5mm steel case, adding to its minimalist aesthetic.
To complement the dial's density, Arnold & Son has chosen its iconic A&S1001 calibre. This ultra-thin movement, entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted, and cased by the manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds, measures a mere 2.7mm in thickness, allowing for a slim 7.82mm case. The movement boasts a 90-hour power reserve and an oscillation frequency of 3Hz. The A&S1001 calibre is meticulously decorated, featuring radiating Côtes de Genève stripes on the case-back side, emanating from the balance staff. The corners are lowered and polished, contrasting with the circular-grained mainplate, showcasing the brand's commitment to exquisite finishing.
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Functions: hours, minutes
Movement:
Calibre: A&S1001, hand-wound mechanical
Jewels: 21
Diameter: 30 mm
Thickness: 2.70 mm
Power reserve: 90 hours
Frequency: 3 Hz / 21,600 vph
Finishes mainplate: rhodium-plated and circular-grained
bridges: chamfered, radiating Côtes de Genève stripes
wheels: snailed
screws: blued and chamfered, polished heads
Dial: Baltic amber
Case:
Material: stainless steel
Diameter: 39.50 mm
Depth: 7.82 mm
Crystal: domed sapphire, double-sided anti-reflective coating
Case: back sapphire crystal, anti-reflective coating
Water-resistance: 3 bar (30 m /100 feet)
Strap
Material: imperial-green alligator leather, papaya-yellow alligator leather lining
Buckle: pin buckle, stainless steel
Reference: 1LCDS.Z01A.C287S
Limited edition: 38 timepieces
Swiss retail price CHF 19,500 incl. VAT (subject to change)
The HM Steel Amber is a limited edition of 38 pieces, making it a truly rare and collectible timepiece. It represents a new chapter in Arnold & Son's exploration of exceptional materials, combining ancient beauty with modern watchmaking artistry.
For further information, please visit arnoldandson.com