121 Arnold & Son Extremely Rare and Oversize, Indiamen Design Wristwatch in Pink Gold, With Dead Seconds, Hand-Painted Mother-of-Pearl Dial, Reference 12.2.3.01

Estimate: €10,000 –⁠ 20,000

Model: Indiamen
Reference: 12.2.3.01
Case Material: Pink Gold
Bracelet Material: Leather Strap
Year: 2010s
Movement: Automatic
Caliber: 6103
Case N°: N°3/28
Dimensions: 44 mm
Signed: Dial, Case and Movement

Arnold & Son (Arnold and Son) is an English watch brand established in 1764 that produced the smallest repeating watch ever made to King George III in the 18th century and afterwards became known as one of the most inventive watchmakers. The model here celebrates the East Indiamen, the vessels that helped to establish the trading supremacy of the East India Company. For nearly 300 years, the privateers of the Honorable East India Company opened channels of trade between England and India and China. The East India Company was the most powerful and famous of the commercial empires that profited from trade expansion. Limited edition of 28 sets of 3 pieces each 44 mm rose gold case display a dial-replicating scene of the East India Company’s ships from historical paintings housed in the National Maritime Museum in London. The dial of this particular example is highlighted by a hand executed portrayal, on mother-of-pearl, based on Nicholas Pocock’s “A Fleet of East Indiamen at sea”, featuring a smaller hours and minutes dial at 9 o’clock and large center seconds.