Arnold & Son

[Marciano490]

How do people feel about this brand? I know almost nothing about their quality or history, but they seem to be putting out a bunch of very interesting watches lately and reasonable price points. Any experience on the board?

[texex91]

Don't know much about them, but my view on these 'niche' brands is be very sure you want one, because the backside could be painful for the wallet.

[PJ S]

Owned and operated by Citizen – like most brands that aren't Rolex or Patek, they will suffer the usual amount of depreciation.
If you buy watches only to worry about how much they will still be worth, then you're in the wrong hobby or you should avoid anything but the mainstream brands.
Buy these sort of brands pre-owned, and you'll be able to enjoy more and worry less about how much they'll have cost you to own.

[lapince]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Owned and operated by Citizen – like most brands that aren't Rolex or Patek, they will suffer the usual amount of depreciation.
If you buy watches only to worry about how much they will still be worth, then you're in the wrong hobby or you should avoid anything but the mainstream brands.
Buy these sort of brands pre-owned, and you'll be able to enjoy more and worry less about how much they'll have cost you to own.

Very true but there is a problem, don't know about their movements but if they're as complicated as let's say FPJ ones, then you will need a watchmaker from that brand to service or repair it, if they ever go out of business then you could be stuck with a watch you can't repair or service, ok for me if it's a 5K piece but if we're talking 15-30K or more then I would seriously consider the risk, some brands like RM could have had the same worries a while back but they're here to stay it seems plus they are backed by AP and even if they weren't in case of bankruptcy they have enough prestige and following for someone else to buy and continue them, Arnold & sons not sure….

[PJ S]

They aren't going out of business, especially as the parent company is owned by the largest watch company in the world.
La Joux Perret also were the supplier/partner of the Bremont "in-house" movement in the Wright Flyer model that caused a certain amount of controversy when announced last year.

[malarky_hk]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Buy these sort of brands pre-owned, and you'll be able to enjoy more and worry less about how much they'll have cost you to own.

Agree with this. However, for this lesser known brands, it is usually quite rare to find one on the secondary market. Been waiting for one these for a while and have yet to see one listed for sale.

[Manofsteelpt]

They make some beautiful moonphase pieces, I know that much.

[Celter]

Like this one:

[regnant]

I looked at their pieces and watched a couple of videos, I am not impressed by their dead beat second that looks like mimicking quartz movement.
I have a profound respect in their history though

[cenzor]

Originally Posted by regnant

I looked at their pieces and watched a couple of videos, I am not impressed by their dead beat second that looks like mimicking quartz movement.

Rolex has this as well:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hv5HN9tM6TA

[Manofsteelpt]

Originally Posted by Celter

Like this one:

Yep

[clkgtr37]

I am obsessed with them. It seems like every watch they make is pure art.

[Slider817]

I like their watches quite a bit, I would consider picking up a used one if I found the right deal.

[nick c]

I think it's the same company for graham watches

[namussuz bilo]

They do make nice watches that are easy on the eye

[jjnd08]

Originally Posted by Celter

Like this one:

My favorite Arnold & Son piece. Great texture on the moon display.

[FTX I]

Never heard of this brand. Thanks for starting this thread. I read the title and thought of this.

[charger]

Originally Posted by FTX I

Never heard of this brand. Thanks for starting this thread. I read the title and thought of this.

That's funny.

[watchucallit]

I have seen a number of their pieces in person and I like them very much. I like their instrument series. I have come close to purchasing a couple of times but not yet.

[PJ S]

Ended up finding myself watching this video, and gained a lot of additional appreciation for the brand.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qgxMKIQ9CO0

Long run time – almost 30 minutes.

[DVR]

Originally Posted by regnant

I have a profound respect in their history though

Which history do you mean?

The company only exists since 1998.
Pure marketing digging up an old watchmakers name and create a brand around it.
Imo they hardly succeeded. Without buyouts they would be long gone.
Maybe Citizen will proof to be a good owner, time will tell.

[watchucallit]

It depends on what you mean by history. Arnold and Son go back to 1764. It is no different than Lange and Son. Modern day versus original origins.

Originally Posted by DVR

Which history do you mean?

The company only exists since 1998.
Pure marketing digging up an old watchmakers name and create a brand around it.
Imo they hardly succeeded. Without buyouts they would be long gone.
Maybe Citizen will proof to be a good owner, time will tell.

[DVR]

There is nothing that 'goes back to 1764' beside the name of one individual and his son.

In the nineties a few guys came together and wanted to start a watch brand from scratch.
They had a choice to either use their own name or dig up a name from the past with some credibility. They chose the latter. And while they could they added Graham too.

Lange is also a similar effort but done much better, when LMH started with modern Lange they at least had the clever idea of using Mr Walter Lange as face of the company, a direct descendant. That gave a lot of credibility and made it much easier.
Also lets not forget Lange was a strong brand up until the war. Not just a long forgotten name of a watch inventor.

[jhcam8]

Originally Posted by PJ S

Owned and operated by Citizen – like most brands that aren't Rolex or Patek, they will suffer the usual amount of depreciation.
If you buy watches only to worry about how much they will still be worth, then you're in the wrong hobby or you should avoid anything but the mainstream brands.
Buy these sort of brands pre-owned, and you'll be able to enjoy more and worry less about how much they'll have cost you to own.

+1 The hit to the wallet can be very large. If you think you may keep a piece for a long time, then no worries.