Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/01/13/arnold-son-true-beat-tourbillon-escapement-reviewed-by-tim-mosso-the-best-tourbillon-you-are-unlikely-to-have-heard-of/
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The reverse of the TBTE reveals a second beating heart in the form of the seconde morte escapement. Since the historical John Arnold built marine timekeepers, the TBTE employs an anchor-shaped counterweight for the deadbeat lever.
This tiny steel component is finished with a deft hand and impressive detail. As small as it is, the micro-bevels and pointed convergence of beveled edges are stellar.
LJP engineers rely heavily on a skeletonized center bridge that carries the deadbeat, the underside of the drivetrain, and parts of the keyless works. Arnold designers fitted an ethereal, blade-like tension spring that arcs from the flanks to act on the deadbeat pallet.
The setting lever, clutch, and springs of the keyless mechanism are visible against the underside of the crown. As with the counterweight of the deadbeat, the keyless set is finished marvelously while keeping tiny facets straight, sharp, and in contrast where polish gives way to satin.
As with its dial side, the base plate is anthracite-colored and elaborated by guilloche. A small recess for the keyless works adds micro-perlage engine turning. At the center, the battle axe-like multi-bridge is reminiscent of MB&F’s signature, but nothing else about the TBTE feels off-brand.
Enormous time was spent finishing this movement. With virtually every topside and underside component exposed, the TBTE gives its makers nowhere to rest.
Even haute horlogerie brands are notorious for scaling back the ambition of decorative contrivance when solid dials, large bridges, or complication modules cloak the hardware. The only clear compromise on the A&S8503 is the lack of sharp internal angles where bevels converge.
While these “interior” angles often are employed as a litmus test for the finish of a watch, there’s simply too much that’s right about the TBTE to dismiss it for that solitary omission.
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Credits: Article and images by Tim Mosso @ Quill & Pad. See the original article here - https://quillandpad.com/2024/01/13/arnold-son-true-beat-tourbillon-escapement-reviewed-by-tim-mosso-the-best-tourbillon-you-are-unlikely-to-have-heard-of/