With a new year comes a new Chinese zodiac and for 2023, it’s the year of the Rabbit. As well as promising a year of peace and prosperity, the Rabbit has inspired Arnold & Son’s latest launch: the Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit Perpetual Moon Limited Edition. In Chinese Zodiac iconography, the water rabbit is the moon’s loyal companion and in honour of this, a peaceful rabbit has been placed on a black aventurine dial below the Swiss watch brand’s legendary perpetual moon complication.
The Case
Handcrafted from 18 carat rose gold, the case of the new Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit Perpetual Moon watch maintains all the classic characteristics of previous Arnold & Son Perpetual Moon watches with a diameter of 41.5mm and a height of 11.67mm. The execution of the case is breathtaking, offering mostly polished components with small brushed inserts on the side of the lugs, a thin cambered bezel and tapering lugs which help mould the timepiece comfortably to the wrist.
On the front end, the case presents domed sapphire crystal glass with anti-reflective treatment on both sides to match with the exhibition glass back which provides a view of the movement within. There’s also a small knurled crown at 3 o’clock and a 30 metre water resistant rating. While 41.5mm isn’t the largest of watches, the Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit Perpetual Moon Limited Edition has a strong presence on the wrist which is less to do with the case and more to do with the bold dial and its huge moon phase display.
The Dial
It’s safe to say the dial of the new Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit Perpetual Moon watch is its most notable feature. As its name suggests, the rabbit is the key element, sculpted in three dimensions with hand-engraved fur crafted from 18 carat rose gold to match the case. It sits posed beneath the moon on a backdrop of black aventurine glass dotted with glittering inclusions. The rabbit is then surrounded by folage and a pagoda with nearby waterfalls hand-painted with gold powder.
Meanwhile, the imposing moon complication takes up the top half of the dial, positioned on a deep black aventurine glass turning disc. The moon is decorated in mother of pearl and is painted with elements in relief alongside Superluminova coating. This means that during the day, the moon shimmers with its pearl adornment while at night, it transforms, glowing in the dark like the real celestial body. To add to its luminescence, details like the pagoda’s windows are also hand-painted with luminescent material. Completing the dial of the Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit Perpetual Moon Limited Edition is faceted silvered hour markers and two syringe-shaped hands for the hours and minutes.
The Movement
As with previous Perpetual Moon watches by Arnold & Son, the new Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit watch is powered by the A&S1512 calibre. It has been entirely developed, produced, decorated, assembled, adjusted and cased up at the brand’s facilities in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland to ensure it meets their high standards of precision and performance. Alongside the classic hour and minute hands, we’re warranted an impressive 90 hour power reserve and a double barrel oscillation frequency of 3 Hz. As mentioned, you can admire the movement through the sapphire crystal case back of the Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit Perpetual Moon Limited Edition including exquisite decoration like Côtes de Genève stripes on the mainplate, polished and chamfered bridges, circular satin-finished wheels and blued screws.
The Strap
Last but not least, the Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit Perpetual Moon watch is completed on a shiny black alligator leather strap with contrasting platinum stitching. On the underside, the strap is lined with red alligator leather in a nod to the lucky colour of Chinese symbolism. The strap secures to the wrist by an 18 carat rose gold pin buckle.
Price & Availability
The Arnold & Son Year of the Rabbit Perpetual Moon is a limited edition of only 8 pieces and is available to order now on the Jura Watches website here at its retail price of £50,500. For more information on this exclusive 2023 watch and to learn more about the interest free finance and free next day delivery available, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
