Arnold & Son has introduced the HM Pietersite, a dress watch that features a dial made from pietersite stone. The watch measures 39.5mm in diameter and 7.82mm in thickness. It is available in two variants: 18-carat red gold (5N) or stainless steel.
The dial uses pietersite, a variety of chalcedony discovered by Sid Pieters in Namibia in the 1960s. This mineral displays swirling patterns that resemble storm clouds. Arnold & Son selected this stone for its unique appearance, which the brand describes as evoking waves breaking on the Cornish coast, a reference to John Arnold’s birthplace.
The HM designation indicates the watch displays only hours and minutes. This naming convention references Royal Navy vessels, where HM traditionally stands for His or Her Majesty’s. The approach reflects Arnold & Son’s connection to John Arnold’s work with marine chronometers for the British navy during the Age of Enlightenment.
Inside the Arnold & Son HM Pietersite sits the calibre A&S1001, an in-house manual-winding movement. The movement measures 30mm in diameter and 2.70mm in thickness. It operates at 21,600 vibrations per hour (3Hz) and provides a 90-hour power reserve when fully wound.
The movement features a rhodium-plated main plate with circular-grained finishing. Additionally, the bridges display chamfered edges with radiating Côtes de Genève decoration. The wheels receive snail finishing, whilst the screws are chamfered with polished and blued heads. The movement is visible through a transparent caseback.
In terms of water resistance, the HM Pietersite offers 30m of protection, suitable for daily wear but best to avoid water as much as possible. The watch comes fitted with a matte blue alligator leather strap that matches the pietersite dial colours. It also features a traditional pin buckle made from the same metal as the case.
Production of the Arnold & Son HM Pietersite is strictly limited. The red gold version is restricted to eight pieces, whilst the steel variant will see 18 pieces produced. A lovely take on the stone dial trend that has been popular across the past 18 months.
Price and Specs:
More details at Arnold & Son.
