John Arnold (1736-1799) was born in Cornwall, left England for the Netherlands at the age of 19 and returned to London speaking fluent German. This stood well in the court of King George III of the House of Hanover, where Arnold presented a ring with the smallest half-quarter repeater ever made.
John Arnold is known as one of the most innovative watchmakers of his time and held patents for a Detent escapement, a bimetallic balance, and a helical balance spring. Arnold also played a central role in important events of his age, such as the sea longitude determination contest, and won several grants and awards presented by the British Board of Longitude.
Arnold & Son is one of a group of elite watchmaking companies in Switzerland that describes itself as a 'manufacturer'. Manufacture is a French term specifically used for watch companies that develop and manufacture their own movements. The impressive collections with sophisticated complications presented in a wide range reflect the skills of the brand in developing and manufacturing its own movements.