Podcast Summary: The Real Time Show

Episode: Pascal Bechu (Arnold & Son) Picks Up The Mic To Discuss A Watchmaking Great
Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
Guest: Pascal Béchu, Managing Director - Arnold & Son & Angelus
Date: December 28, 2025

Overview

This episode dives deep into the storied world of Arnold & Son, guided by the insights of Managing Director Pascal Béchu. With Rob and Alon steering the conversation, the discussion covers the brand’s rich heritage, contemporary innovations, product strategies, the Longitude collection's debut, and Arnold & Son’s philosophy in balancing tradition with modernity. Key moments also juxtapose Arnold & Son’s direction with broader industry trends, including the position of Breguet and retail strategies.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Arnold & Son: A Historical Watchmaking Powerhouse

• Legacy & Roots:
  • (01:06) Pascal traces the brand’s origins to John Arnold, a pivotal 18th-century British watchmaker, critical for the advancement of marine chronometers.
    • "260 years of legacy of John Arnold...one of the greatest watchmakers of the 18th century.” — Pascal
  • John Arnold’s inventions supported British maritime supremacy, supplying legendary explorers like James Cook.
• Dormancy & Revival:
  • The brand became dormant in the mid-19th century due to lack of heirs but was revived as part of "The British Masters" project, later acquired by a Swiss manufacturer. Pascal Béchu and his team have led a modern resurgence since 2021.
    • (03:08) “I joined the company in January 2021, with a new team on board to bring back this brand to the top of the pyramid of high-end watchmaking…” — Pascal

2. Brand Identity and Market Focus

• Swiss Manufacturing, British DNA:
  • (03:38) Rob and Pascal discuss the ironies and realities of Arnold & Son’s Swiss roots and British heritage.
    • “I don’t take it personally...It’s just an interesting wrinkle in the history of this incredible brand.” — Rob
• Key Markets:
  • (05:18) United States is the #1 market, followed by the UK and the Middle East.
    • “The number one market is US, actually. It’s North America. UK is an important market... another important market...is the Middle East.” — Pascal

3. Product Highlights: Innovation and Craft

• Double Tourbillon (Calibre 8513):

  • (06:30–09:24)
    • No resonance effect (a possible future consideration).
    • Two independent tourbillons, two crowns for separate time zone settings — can track time zones down to the minute.
    • Exclusively produced as unique pieces with high jewelry executions; latest pieces include a platinum version with diamonds and emeralds for ~$500,000.
    • Notable quote:
      “You have two tourbillons, each driving a different time zone...the second crown allows you to set the second time zone to the minute... for countries [with] 30 minutes time difference or even 15 minutes.” — Pascal [08:05]

• Pricing Strategy:

  • (10:56–13:14)
    • Minor price variation across limited editions is likely due to currency exchange rates; core collections have material-based pricing differences.
    • Core Nebula 38 in steel is priced at €18,400, which is positioned as exceptional value within the high-end segment.

• Strategic Focus on Value:

  • (13:23)
    • Arnold & Son positions its watches as offering outstanding value for price, allied with fully integrated Swiss manufacturing.
    • “We offer actually an outstanding value for the price...It echoes to the conversation we had some time ago on Angelus...the strength of having this integrated manufacturer.” — Pascal

4. Retail Approach & Website Strategy

• Loyalty to Retailers:
  • (16:27–18:44)
    • No “buy now” button—sales are channeled to authorized retailers to sustain partnerships, trust, and service levels.
    • “Our approach is very loyal to our business partners. We are extremely happy to work with them...We will always direct the sales to our retailers.” — Pascal

5. Collection Architecture & Pillars

• Three Main Pillars:
  • Chronometry: Marine chronometer-inspired classics (Nebula, Tourbillon, True Beat, Longitude)
  • Astronomy: Moonphases (Perpetual Moon, Luna Magna)
  • World Time: Globetrotter, World Timers
    • “Every timepiece...creatively connected to the history of John Arnold.” — Pascal [31:21]

6. Longitude Collection: Sport-Chic and the Future

• Launch & Strategy:
  • (18:58–22:23)
    • Launched at Watches & Wonders 2024; the first sporty, integrated-bracelet, titanium-cased collection; chronometer-certified movement.
    • Inspired by the legendary marine chronometers and John Arnold’s historical impact.
    • Quote:
      “Our first sport chic timepiece with integrated bracelets...fully made of titanium, water resistant, 100 meter...Our objective with this collection was really to capture a new clientele.” — Pascal [22:23]
• Design and Feedback:
  • (23:12–28:34)
    • In-house design team; the design is deeply rooted in marine timekeeper DNA.
    • Market response was extremely positive; helped bring new clientele and repeat customers, breaking previous perceptions of Arnold & Son as “too classic.”

7. Collection Roadmap & Product Planning

• Strategic Portfolio Management:
  • (30:48–34:47)
    • Pascal reorganized and clarified the collection around historical and technical themes; sizes modernized (now 38-42 mm).
    • Five-year roadmap focuses on icon refreshes, new complications, and innovation while staying true to British and John Arnold roots.
    • Recent highlight: Constant Force Tourbillon (launched 2025), celebrating Arnold’s friendship with Breguet.

8. Arnold & Son vs. Breguet: Competition or Kinship?

• Respect and Differentiation:
  • (35:57–38:41)
    • Not a direct competitive stance; healthy respect for Breguet. Arnold & Son fits both mainstream (Breguet, Vacheron) and niche (Moser, Laurent Ferrier) spaces.
    • Quote:
      “With Arnold and Son...we definitely have two types of competitors…the mainstream and the niche.” — Pascal [38:04]

9. The Future of Longitude Collection

• Expansion Plans:
  • (38:59–41:35)
    • More dial colors, material limited editions, complications (simple and high-end), and sizing variants forthcoming. Annual novelties planned for at least five years.
    • “Definitely in the Longitude collection there will be at least one nice novelty coming every year for the next five years.” — Pascal [41:17]

10. Favorites & Female Collectors

• Perpetual Moon 38 “Mint Night”:
  • (41:58–46:01)
    • Alon’s favorite is the Perpetual Moon 38, especially the limited “Mint Night,” admired for its artistry and value.
    • Diversity in clientele and limited, highly crafted offerings for women are a growing focus.

Memorable Quotes

• On Watchmaking Value:
  • “More than half of the value of a timepiece comes from the preciousness and the craftsmanship of all what's around the caliber.” — Pascal [44:15]
• On British Watchmaking Heritage:
  • “England does sometimes get a bit of a short shrift when it comes to the history and a lot of the developments.” — Rob [03:46]
• On the Sport-Chic Longitude:
  • “The Longitude is really a beautiful timepiece by itself. It's not a me-too...everyone recognizes it's something new.” — Pascal [27:37]
• On Customer Loyalty:
  • “A lot of our customers end up having 3, 4, 5, 6 pieces from Arnold and Son.” — Pascal [29:46]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Brand History & Revival: 01:06 – 03:38
• Market Focus & Retail Strategy: 05:13 – 06:20; 16:27 – 18:44
• Double Tourbillon Deep Dive: 06:30 – 09:29
• Pricing & Value Propositions: 10:22 – 13:23
• Collection Structure & Philosophy: 18:58 – 25:57
• Longitude Collection Design & Reception: 25:57 – 28:34
• Product Strategy & Vision: 30:48 – 34:47
• Breguet vs. Arnold & Son: 34:47 – 38:41
• Longitude Collection Future Plans: 38:41 – 41:35
• Moonphase Watches & Craftsmanship: 41:58 – 46:01
• Events & How to Experience Arnold & Son: 46:01 – 48:02

Practical Information

• Events & Experiential Opportunities:
  • Arnold & Son participates in Doha Watch & Jewellery Show, Watches & Wonders, WatchTime New York, and more.
  • Customers are invited to manufacturer visits in La Chaux-de-Fonds for an immersive experience.
• Retail Access:
  • All current retailers are listed on Arnold & Son’s website; Pascal’s team is committed to delivering watches to retailers for customer presentation.

The Tone

The conversation is open, insightful, and deeply respectful of traditional watchmaking while embracing innovation and business acumen. Rob and Alon's questions are probing yet collegial, and Pascal answers with candor and enthusiasm, revealing Arnold & Son’s ambition and reverence for its roots.

This episode is essential listening for anyone seriously interested in independent high horology, the subtleties of brand revival, or those considering a step into the world of Arnold & Son.