The latest addition to the Arnold & Son’s Royal collection is the exceptional model that celebrates the dragon and the fenghuang (Chinese phoenix). The HM Dragon & Fenghuang timepiece is produced in the ultra-limited series of only 5 pieces.
This exquisite, handcrafted newcomer took inspiration from traditional Chinese paper cutting and combined it with traditional Haute Horlogerie.
In Chinese mythology the dragon is a divine creature which traditionally symbolizes potent and auspicious power, and good fortune. The dragon is also a symbol of good luck for people who are worthy of it. In both ancient and modern Chinese culture, the dragon is often depicted together with the mythological bird of East Asia that reigns over all other birds, fenghuang, which are indeed considered symbolic of blissful relations between husband and wife, a common yin and yang metaphor. The fenghuang has several positive connotations and symbolizes high virtue and grace.
Arnold & Son HM Dragon & Fenghuang depicts the dragon and the fenghuang with a technique reinterpreting the principles of the ancestral art of Chinese paper cutting, dubbed Jianzhi. In this case, instead of paper, the motive is created on mother-of-pearl by applying successive layers of lacquer with a miniature pad, executed with exceptional delicacy of touch and boasting such details that evoke the depth and texture of these divine creatures. A red dragon and fenghuang are set on white mother-of-pearl dial.
Arnold & Son is proud of this watch, as the brand’s Vice President, Mr. Fabien Dutriaux explains: “The light reflected from the depths of the white mother-of-pearl dial illuminates the richness of detail in the exquisite motive and eloquently expresses our mastery of the decorative arts.”
The beating heart of the Arnold & Son HM Dragon & Fenghuang is the in-house manufactured caliber A&S1001 manual-wound movement which is only 2.70mm thick. The movement is mounted on 21 jewels, has the frequency of 21,600 vibrations per hour (3 Hz) and it provides about 90 hours of power reserve. All the plates and bridges in the movement are hand-chamfered and decorated.
The nickel-silvered and rhodium treated twin barrel movement features hand-chamfered bridges with polished edges, fine circular graining and Côtes de Genève rayonnantes, blued screws with beveled and mirror-polished heads.
Caliber A&S1001
The HM Dragon and Fenghuang (ref. 1LCAP.M08A.C110A/C111A) is housed in an elegant 18-karat rose gold case measuring 40mm in diameter. The watch is teamed up with a hand-stitched brown or black alligator leather strap, ending with a matching rose gold pin buckle. The retail price is $25,950.
