Spectacular World Time Watches: At Home Around The Globe

A GMT-watch is nice, but it only shows what time it is at home as well as in the time-zone you are currently in. With our world getting more interconnected every day for some people this might not be enough. While on the beach in Rio you might need to know if you can call Asia, or if the markets in Europe have already closed. For that, a world time watch is most convenient, as it shows the current time around the globe.

One of the most versatile world time watches on today’s market has to be the Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time, but not only because of the way you can easily switch between bracelet and straps. With it’s 43.5 mm stainless steel case the watch is quite robust, and not even afraid of water as its water resistant rating is 150 meters. That it is a true Haute Horlogerie creation becomes evident through the sapphire case back behind which you can admire the caliber 2460 WT/1 which is certified by the Geneva Seal and fitted with a full-size gold oscillating weight shaped like a compass rose. Because of its relatively large diameter does Vacheron Constantin have ample space to not only show the hours ring and corresponding cities for all 37 different time zones around the world but also include a satellite view of the of the northern hemisphere.

Chopard gives a lesson on how a bold watch can still be a classic beauty with the L.U.C Time Traveler One! Its 42mm is flanked by two large crowns, and its dial offers four rings with information before you get to its center. The outer two are dedicated to the world time function, while the next one severs the hour, minute and seconds hand. For the L.U.C Time Traveler One Chopard opted for indicating the date with a hand instead of a window, and to that the inner ring is dedicated. It being part of the L.U.C collection of Chopard means that the movement inside this watch, Caliber L.U.C 01.05-L, is crafted in Chopard’s own manufacture. On top of that it is Chronometer certified as well.

Jaeger-LeCoultre has a name to uphold when it comes to exceptional movements. Manufacture caliber 752A is one of their movements that combines two highly desirable complications: world time and a chronograph! While tempting enough the brand went much further to create the perfect world traveler with the Polaris Chronograph WT. Its vintage-inspired style might set you on the wrong foot because the 44mm large case is crafted from titanium making it pleasantly light to wear. Its water resistance is up to 100 meters, and with a height of 12.5mm is the case slim enough to slip under the cuff of a shirt. That makes it a good all-rounder, another quality that is highly regarded by those who use world time watches.

Montblanc chooses the beautiful name ‘Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum’ for their world time watch. With a diameter of 41mm is the stainless steel case moderately sized yet due to a very slender bezel is this watch nearly all dial. That space is putting to good use and completely dedicated to the world time complication. Here we also see a satellite view of the northern hemisphere, but with a slightly more sophisticated day/night indication. Normally this is only evident due to the world time ring on the outer rim of the watch, but Montblanc uses an overlay as well, which turns the part where it is dark in the northern hemisphere dark.

The Girard Perregaux 1966 WW.TC keeps it classic and clean. It is one of the very few world time watches that features a sub-seconds, which stands out even more due to its blued hand. It is a watch that showcases the ‘Heures Universelles’-concept, displaying the cities and world times in two rings on the outer rim of the dial, invented in the 1930’s by Swiss watchmaker Louis Cottier in its purest form. Because of its diameter of 40mm is the case large enough to allow Girard Perregaux the room to properly display everything, making it a charismatic watch that can be read with ease.