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Arnold & Son Presented UTTE Watch Housing the World's Thinnest Tourbillon Mechanism
Written by Boris Djuricic on April 24, 2013 in Baselworld - World Watch and Jewellery Show, Baselworld 2013 - No comments
La Chaux de Fonds based watchmaker created something truly spectacular – a groundbreaking A&S8200 tourbillon mechanism with the thickness of just 2.97mm that makes it the thinnest tourbillon movement in the world! It is housed inside the newest Arnold & Son's UTTE (Ultra Thin Tourbillon Escapement) watch that also holds the prestigious title of the world's slimmest tourbillon watch with the thickness of 8.34mm. This great novelty comes in two limited editions of 50 pieces, one in red gold and the other one in palladium. The official presentation of the UTTE watch is expected at the Baselworld watch show.
With this remarkable achievement, Arnold & Son deserves a high place in the history of haute horology and it will be interesting to see whether it will ever be surpassed in the category of the world's thinnest tourbillon mechanisms. Until just a few days ago, that place has been reserved for Piaget's Caliber 600P movement, which, with its 3.5mm thick body, also deserves the greatest admiration. However, after Arnold & Son's announcement, all the attention went to its stunning novelty.
Not just that the Caliber A&S8200 is significantly slimmer, but it also has a much higher power-reserve that goes up to 80 hours thanks to its double barrel system. It has the diameter of 32mm and a pretty large tourbillon cage with the diameter of 14mm. Since this is a flying tourbillon, there are no bridges to support rotating cage, which with its spherical shape, raised from the plane of the movement to the same height of hour and minute hands, provides a great pleasure to all watch enthusiasts.
Each treated with special color to match the case material, these high-end mechanisms come with a series of exquisite decorations, including Côtes de Genève motif, satin-finishes and hand chamfered and polished edges.
Above the tourbillon cage at the 6 o'clock position, which also serves as the small seconds indicator, there is a sub-dial, designed in the classic elegant style to display hours and minutes. The 18 karat red gold version comes with the silvery-white Cotes de Geneve rayonnantes dial, while the palladium version features a light-grey, straight Cotes de Geneve dial. Both variations have beautifully polished cases with the diameter of 42mm and the thickness of just 8.34mm. Sapphire crystal covers and protects the case on both sides. The UTTE Tourbillon watch in red gold is available for around $70,200, while the palladium model costs around $61,000.