Arnold & Son has expanded its use of different materials for dials with the introduction of the new HM Steel Amber.

So – what is Baltic amber? Self-explanatory names are great.

As you know, amber is a what is called a ‘fossil resin’, produced by pine trees. The Baltic region is known for its large rich deposits, and amber from the region is also called ‘succinite’, a reference to succinic acid, of which it contains 3 – 8 per cent, in the resin. An interesting fact is that these deposits aren’t primary but secondary ones – the fossil resin was carried there by water and glaciers over a period of some twenty million years.

We are most familiar with the use of (Baltic or otherwise) amber in jewellery. In watches, it is unusual. Coming in a sized 39.5mm stainless steel case (7.8mm thick) with water resistance of 30m, the HM Steel Amber is all about the Baltic amber dial. The hour and minute hands are blued, and I can’t but wonder about how it might look with steel hands instead.

Powering it is the manually-wound Calibre A&S1001. Featuring a rhodium-plated and circular-grained main plate and Cotes de Genève, it beats at 21,600 VPH and has a power reserve of 90 hours.

Coming on a green alligator strap with yellow alligator lining, the Arnold & Son HM Steel Amber is limited to 38 pieces and has an RRP of CHF 19,500.

[Photo credit: Arnold & Son]

Categories: Arnold & Son, Limited Editions, Watch Profile, watches, Women's watches