Bohemian Fire Meets Nordic Minimalism: Granát Turnov Partners with Arcanaut for a World-First Garnet Dial Watch

In a striking union of tradition and innovation, the Czech artisanal powerhouse Granát Turnov has partnered with avant-garde Danish watchmaker Arcanaut to unveil a watch unlike any seen before. Celebrating craftsmanship from both ends of Europe, this collaboration gives birth to an extraordinary creation: a wristwatch featuring a dial made from Czech garnet composite – a material never before used in the watchmaking world.

Founded in 1953, Granát Turnov is a name synonymous with authentic Czech garnets, known for their intense, pigeon-blood red hue. The cooperative handles the entire journey of these fiery stones—from sustainable surface mining in the Bohemian paradise to meticulous hand polishing in its own workshops.

Arcanaut Experimental ARC II – Garnet Goblin

Arcanaut, on the other hand, is a ten-year-old microbrand from Scandinavia, celebrated for pushing the boundaries of horology with dials made from unconventional materials such as mussel shells, titanium, coffee, and even Fordite—a byproduct of layered automotive paint.

Arcanaut Experimental ARC II – Garnet Goblin

Their newest experiment? A radiant dial born from hundreds of 0.8 mm polished Czech garnets, suspended in a clear binder and shaped into a perfectly flat disk, which is then mounted onto a gold-plated base.

The result is an explosion of deep red sparkles, shifting with the light and glowing with the unmistakable brilliance that only Czech garnet can deliver. Unlike garnets from other global deposits, Czech garnets retain their vivid color even at microscopic sizes, making them uniquely suited for such an intricate dial.

Arcanaut Experimental ARC II – Garnet Goblin

“Our company has specialized in gold and silver jewelry with Czech garnets for over 70 years. We’ve worked with watchmakers before, cutting stones for indices or crowns, but never a full dial. The challenge of achieving the perfect grain size excited us from the beginning,” says Pavel Tvrzník, chairman of the board at Granát Turnov.

Yet this dial is more than beauty – it’s a feat of engineering and sustainable artistry. Czech garnets are extracted through eco-conscious surface mining, with minimal environmental disruption and a closed water recycling system. The yield? Just 15 grams of garnets per ton of gravel, making each dial a precious achievement. To highlight this eco-story, Arcanaut created a whimsical mascot: Marie the Garnet Goblin, a character who leaves the dark underground in search of beauty and finds it above ground in the Czech garnet fields. Her image is even engraved on the caseback of the watch.

Arcanaut Experimental ARC II – Garnet Goblin

“Marie became the spirit of the project. Her story embodies the joy of discovery and the allure of what lies just beneath the surface,”
says Rob Nudds of Arcanaut, who co-initiated the collaboration with Czech watch journalist Jan Lidmaňský.

The timepiece, named Arcanaut Experimental ARC II – Garnet Goblin, is limited to just 66 pieces. It features Arcanaut’s signature sandblasted stainless steel case from the ARC II series, crafted entirely in Denmark. A sculpted bezel replaces the traditional fixed lunette, emphasizing the brand’s futuristic aesthetic.

Inside ticks the reliable Swiss Soprod M100 automatic movement, offering 42 hours of power reserve.

With its gold-framed garnet dial, engraved luminiscent caseback, and playful yet poetic backstory, this watch is more than a timekeeper—it’s a wearable celebration of Czech tradition, Nordic vision, and the eternal fire of Bohemian garnet.

The Arcanaut Experimental ARC II – Garnet Goblin will be available exclusively on Arcanaut’s official website and through Chronoshop in Prague.

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