n extensively researched book has been released to coincide with the 260th anniversary of the first watch known to have been made by John Arnold (1736-1799): a miniature repeater ring watch, which he presented to King George III. Titled A Century of Precise Timekeeping, with texts in French and English, it is published by Arnold & Son, a brand re-established in the 1990s and since 2011 an integrated manufacture whose sister company, within the Swiss contingent of Citizen Group, is the highly regarded movement-maker La Joux-Perret.

The book, and the presentation given by its author, Vincent Daveau, at this year’s Geneva Watch Days, signals Arnold & Son’s determination to give John Arnold the credit he is due and highlight his achievements as one of the fathers of modern watchmaking.

Arnold’s work is distinguished by his pursuit of precision. History remembers John Harrison as the maker of the marine chronometer that enabled the accurate calculation of longitude at sea – securing supremacy for the British fleet – but it was John Arnold who refined and industrialised this vital instrument (Captain James Cook carried one of Arnold’s chronometers on his second voyage).

Together with his son, John Roger, he laid the foundations for modern accurate timekeeping and is widely regarded as the first watchmaker to use the term “chronometer” in its contemporary sense of a precision timekeeper. His inventions - he was awarded patents for a detent escapement, a compensation bimetallic balance and a helical balance spring – reflect the focus of his work. Europa Star met Pascal Béchu, managing director of Arnold & Son.

Europa Star: You recently took over as managing director, having previously served as vice-president of sales. What areas are you working on?

Pascal Béchu: We’d already got a lot done under Bertrand Savary, having spent close to four years reviewing our product lineup, distribution and marketing, and building brand storytelling. We’ve made good progress and we’re definitely on the right track but, from a strategy perspective, there’s still a way to go in gaining recognition for John Arnold’s immense legacy, of making sure people are aware of his contribution and how his achievements inform who we are. We plan to extend our virtual museum and, going forward, will add to the book we published for our 260th anniversary, together with several other initiatives.

After imperial jade, malachite and Baltic amber, Arnold & Son has chosen charoite for its Double Tourbillon.

What about clarifying your ties to English watchmaking, which is becoming more structured, particularly since the launch of the British Watch & Clock Makers Alliance?

We’re working on events that will reinforce this connection in the next couple of years. We already have a loyal customer base in this market, which we aim to develop through collaborations with retailers in the country.

What about Greenwich Observatory chronometer certification?

If opportunities arise, we will certainly look into them. Incidentally, the British Museum holds several pieces by John Arnold and Arnold & Son.

The Perpetual Moon 38 Red Gold is presented as an 88-piece limited edition with a blue aventurine glass dial and as a 28-piece limited edition with a warm grey sunray-brushed dial, both framing a beautiful large moon.

How many watches do you produce annually?

Fewer than a thousand, sold at 70 points of sale. There are still some promising markets where we can develop our presence. Germany and Italy, for example, or Vietnam and in particular Dubai. We have five points of sale in China and need at least two more to cover the main cities.

What about Angelus?

Around 300 watches a year. We’re limited by the number of movements allocated. The Chronodate accounts for over half our volumes but the La Fabrique collection, which we launched in 2022, is gaining ground.

Pascal Béchu is at the head of Arnold & Son and also Angelus. Shown here, the Chronodate Titanium, Magnetic Silver Edition.

You have the benefit of sister company La Joux-Perret whose movements are particularly in demand these past few years. How do you work together?

The manufacture employs 140 people plus a dozen exclusively for the brands. If we include everyone at the manufacture who works for Arnold & Son and Angelus, including six watchmakers, it’s the equivalent of 30 to 35 full-time jobs.

Who replaces you at the head of sales?

Dimitri Aubert, previously with Breguet, who brings his extensive international experience with prestigious brands. Our head of product development, David Apothéloz, has already worked with him. All four of us, including our marketing director, are roughly the same age and have between 25 and 30 years’ experience in the watch industry. We are all focused on the same objectives and our networks complement each other in a most effective way.