Arnold & Son Longitude Joins The Integrated Bracelet Trend and Jumps Straight to the Top of My Wishlist
by Martin Green
Arnold & Son is known for its original watches, many of which are in the style of its spiritual founder, John Arnold. They are a brand that likes to walk to its own beat, and for the majority of its collection, you are hard-pressed to find a watch from another brand that comes even close to looking like it, whether it’s in terms of design or technical setup.
Arnold & Son Longitude Kingsand wristshot
For their latest watch, the Longitude, the opposite is the case. It’s a sports watch with an integrated bracelet, and yes, it even comes with a green dial.
Another sports watch with an integrated bracelet?
The list of brands that have moved to make a watch with a similar configuration is nearly endless. They rule the trend charts in the watch world, and as it is often with trends, it can get a bit tiresome. As a dress watch kind of guy, sports watches have largely escaped my personal interest, although as a journalist, I am right in the middle of them.
For Arnold & Son, the introduction of the Longitude makes sense, as they have lacked something sporty in their collection for quite some time. When you take the plunge, you might as well do so with something in line with current preferences.
Arnold & Son Longitude Fern Green
The main issue with launching a watch in this category is that we (journalists and watch enthusiasts alike) have the tendency to compare them fiercely to others, mainly those that were among the first. With other types of watches, we do so less, but when it comes to sports watches with an integrated bracelet, we get brutal.
I am going to skip comparisons because watches built from the same idea usually have some elements that show a similarity. This is quite similar in other industries as well, as off-road cars, for example, also look alike to a certain extent.
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What I like about the Longitude is that Arnold & Son did not cut corners to get into this popular segment, but really thought the watch through. This starts with their choice of material. While stainless steel would be the obvious choice, Arnold & Son opted for titanium.
Clever alternations between brushed and polished finishes give the watch an appealing look, while the titanium keeps the overall weight relatively low. This allows Arnold & Son to opt for a generous diameter of 42.5mm and use it nearly all for the dail.
Arnold & Son Longitude Kingsand gold
As the dial is such a focal point of the Longitude, it’s easy to overlook a detail that is very important to its character. While the bezel is rather slender, its convex shape has a ribbed edge, which makes the watch more rugged and not an overly smooth operator. It also adds some play in depth and shadows on the case that look particularly good.
Arnold & Son Longitude Ocean Blue
Dial me in
The Longitude comes in three dial colors: Ocean Blue, Fern Green, and the 88-piece limited edition in Kingsand Gold. The Ocean Blue is perhaps the most under-the-radar, or should I say common, configuration, and that’s why the other two speak to me more. While a green dial is also a trend thing, Arnold & Son picked not only a very beautiful hue, but also combined it with gold hour markers and hands. This adds a chic touch to the watch, as well as a bit of contrast to the titanium.
Arnold & Son Longitude Kingsand
The Kingsand gold version is a PVD treatment with a pale gold hue and blue details that look wonderful together. No wonder that Arnold & Son made this version a limited edition, although , in my opinion, asking CHF 1,100 extra for that privilege is a bit much.
The dial also impresses with its refined finishes. The dial is vertically brushed, surrounded by a ring on which the minute track is printed, which lies slightly lower. As the hour markers move from there onto the dial, a lot of depth is created. This is further enhanced by the recessed subdial for the seconds and the cutouts in the dial for the power reserve indicator at twelve.
The hands are original in their design, as their bold appearance makes it easy to read the time.
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New movement
Arnold & Son fitted the Longitude with a new caliber, A&S6302. It comes with automatic winding, a 60-hour power reserve, and COSC Chronometer certification, which Arnold & Son does not mention on the watch. As it can be admired through the sapphire insert on the caseback, you notice that the decorations are up to par, with blued screws, chamfered bridges, perlage on the main plate, and of course, the brands signature ‘Rayons de la Gloire,’ a stripped finish coming from the center of the movement.
Automatic caliber A&S6302 visible through the display back of the Arnold & Son Longitude
Underscoring that the Longitude is a high-end and precious sports watch, Arnold & Son fit it with an oscillating weight made from 22K gold on which the edge is reminiscent of the bezel.
In the time of John Arnold, quite a few sailors could not swim, but Arnold & Son did not use that as a historical link to forgo making their Longitude water resistant. With a rating of up to 10 ATM/100 meters, it is also an ample performer in that area.
Arnold & Son Longitude lume shot
Not-so-integrated bracelet
As it turns out, the bracelet of the Longitude is not so integrated that it can be swapped in seconds for a strap. The way that it can change its looks is close to that of the recently launched Citizen Automatic Tsuyosa Small Seconds. While I personally prefer the look and feel of the titanium bracelet, the strap adds a certain versatility that will be appreciated.
Arnold & Son Longitude Kingsand
A strap in a color complimenting the dial is added with the purchase of the Longitude.
While some will say that for sports watches with an integrated bracelet, it is best to stick to the originals, and others might prefer to obtain this look in a lower priced package, the Longitude has struck a cord with me. It is pleasantly quirky enough to remain interesting, yet smooth enough to be worn every day.
Arnold & Son has thought the watch through and through and even went through the trouble of creating a new movement for it, although they will probably also use it in other models in the future.
Arnold & Son Longitude Kingsand
The titanium case is a big plus for me, as is the design of the dial, which is perfectly balanced. While Arnold & Son is following the herd with this one, they still do so on their own terms, making the Longitude a pleasant addition to this category of watches.
For more information, please visit https://arnoldandson.com/collections/Longitude
Quick Facts Arnold & Son Longitude
Case: 42.5 x 12.25 mm, titanium, 10ATM/100 meters water resistant
Movement: automatic Caliber A&S6302, 60-hour power reserve, 4Hz/28,800 VpH, 22K oscillating weight, COSC Chronometer certified
Functions: hours, minutes, seconds; power reserve
Limitation: Ocean Blue and Fern Green are not limited, Kingsand Gold is limited to 88 pieces
Price: CHF 21,500 (Ocean Blue and Fern Green) CHF 22,600 Kingsand Gold
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Arnold & Son are to be congratulated for managing to create something a little different in a saturated market. Dial, hands, and case all contributing to a unique aesthetic. The movement also looks the part for the price.
However, each new photo only confirmed my initial reaction that something was off. It’s the bracelet. I presume the centre links are taking a cue from the concave bezel (?) but it’s not working for me. And the taper might be too much, jarring with the lines of the lugs. I’m also left wondering if it has micro adjustments and the type of clasp. I know it can be removed but no idea what you’d replace it with and this opens the inescapable vortex or what constitutes an integrated bracelet.
Not an issue for me to resolve as it’s probably too big for my wrist and my wallet.
Thanks for your comment! I can see your point but I also encourage you to try the watch in the metal. I think experiencing it might change your mind about the bracelet.
Thanks for the reply and article. Nice to see a focus on the piece being reviewed instead of comparing it to hype pieces that aren’t really in direct competition.
All the best