So, you have a meeting with Tokyo an hour after landing in Milan, are trying to watch the world cup in Paris and need to keep track of when the New York Stock Exchange starts trading. Now, how are you going to keep track of all that? Sure, you could use the global clock on your mobile phone. But having a mechanical device — i.e. a world timer, or world time watch — that lets you carry that information on your wrist is just that much cooler. Plus, you never have to worry about it running out of battery.
While a GMT function allows you to track both the local time and one additional time zone (typically, one’s home country), the world-time function takes things a step further. One of the most useful watch complications, the world-time function simultaneously displays the time in all 24 primary time zones. The world-time function was first seen in late 19th century pocket watches, before being patented by independent Swiss watchmaker Louis Cottier in the early 1930s. The complication was rapidly adopted by a handful of top manufactures; Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and Rolex among them.
Related: A GMT Is The Ideal Watch For Two-Timers
A world timer or world time watch typically features a rotating internal bezel that displays 24 world cities, each representing one of the primary time zones. Parallel to this is a 24-hour ring (or sometimes, a hand) that makes one full revolution per day. Wearers set the time-zone bezel to align their local time with the correct hour of the day on the 24-hour ring (or hand). As time ticks on, the 24-hour ring will rotate; the point where the ring lines up with the time zone shows you the hour of the day. The time difference between major cities is in hours only (not half hours), so the time will always be accurate — however it’s important to note that world timers do not take daylight savings into consideration, so this will have to be accounted for manually.
Seeing as though a watch is no longer the primary timekeeping mechanism for most people (see: the aforementioned mobile phone), only a small number of manufactures continue to produce watches with world-time functions. But, for those who do, the world-time function is one that continues to impress, with many watchmakers using world timers as a canvas to showcase their artistic flair. The central part of the dial often plays host to métiers d’art, such as guilloché, cloisonné enamel, or laser ablations.
A mark of a truly distinguished globetrotter, a world-time watch is a valuable travel companion. Herewith, Albert Review’s picks of the 13 best luxury world timers on the market.
1. Chopard L.U.C Time Traveller One
Finding elegance in restraint, the Chopard L.U.C Time Traveller One is the ideal companion for minimalist travellers. Bathed in tones of black and grey, the titanium timepiece remains legible thanks to a sleek dial layout. Here, the 24-hour disc surrounds the 12-hour local time, the latter of which is indicated by the lume-coated hour and minute hands. A date aperture sits within the innermost ring, which is denoted by the shortest arrow-tipped central hand.
Price: approx. $26,800AUD
Model: L.U.C Time Traveller One
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 5ATM
Case Diameter: 42mm
2. Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture
Frederique Constant has been constantly (ha!) offering high complications like tourbillons, moonphases, and perpetual calendars at shockingly affordable price points. The Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture fits this brief to a tee; available in both stainless steel and gold with several dial variants, it features a map in relief at the centre of the dial, an inner 24-hour day/night ring, and a city ring that rotates to set the time in any time zone. The subdial at 6 o’clock indicates the date, while the in-house calibre FC-718 allows for adjustment for the standard time and world-time functions using the crown, negating the need for additional pushers.
Price: from $6795AUD
Model: Classic Worldtimer Manufacture
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 5ATM (stainless steel), 3ATM (gold)
Case Diameter: 42mm
3. Glashütte Original Senator Cosmopolite
Sporting an unconventional dial layout, the Glashütte Original Senator Cosmopolite sees local time indicated by the central hour and minute hands which home (or a second time zone) time is displayed on the subdial at 12 o’clock. Deviating from the typical 24 primary time zones typically showcased by world timers, the Glashütte Original Senator Cosmopolite covers 35 time zones. The standard 24 time zones (which correspond to Greenwich Mean Time) are shown in white, while the remaining eight — separated from GMT by half-hours or three-quarter hours — are indicated in light blue. As it doesn’t feature a city ring, this timepiece uses three letter airport codes to denote local and home time zones (such as JFK for New York City and CCS for Venezuela). Unlike other world timers, it doesn’t allow for each time zone to be read at a glance; and its use of airport codes means wearers will require a healthy backlog of international traveller under their belts to interpret. Cosmopolitan indeed.
Price: from $33,200AUD
Model: Senator Cosmopolite
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 5ATM
Case Diameter: 44mm
4. Patek Philippe Ref. 5231G
Ah, nobody does a world timer quite like Patek Philippe. An early adopter of the function, the Swiss manufacture’s take on world timers often feature grand feu cloisonné enamel artwork, and the Ref. 5231G is no exception. Paying tribute to the dynamism of Asia Pacific, it showcases the region in vividly hued enamel, with each continent outlined by thin gold wire. Executed in a white gold case, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5231G takes on relatively modest proportions, with the case a mere 38.5mm in diameter and 10.23mm wide.
Price: approx. $140,000AUD
Model: Ref. 5231G
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 38.5mm
5. IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Top Gun Woodland
Leave it to the innovators at IWC to come up with one of the most forward-thinking movements of recent time. Rather than using the crown or an additional pusher to change the secondary time, the patented Timezoner world-time function allows the wearer to swiftly reset the time, date, and 24-hour display. By simply depressing and turning the city ring bezel clockwise or counterclockwise until the desired city sits at 12 o’clock and it will instantaneously adjust the time and date. Unlike most world timers, the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Top Gun Woodland also takes daylight savings into account, denoted by way of an ‘S’ beside the city. Part of the covetable Top Gun collection, this green iteration is housed in a hardwearing 46mm ceramic case that makes for an attractive yet imposing presence on the wrist.
Price: $26,500AUD
Model: Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Top Gun Woodland
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 10ATM
Case Diameter: 46mm
6. Breitling Navitimer Aviator 8 B35 Unitime
While Breitling’s storied aviation heritage is no secret, the Navitimer Aviator 8 B35 Unitime is one timepiece in the Swiss manufacture’s stable that has managed to fly relatively under the radar. Taking on a decidedly utilitarian appearance, the 43mm stainless steel timepiece plays host to a largely black dial, with a splash of blue to indicate daytime hours on the 24-hour ring.
Price: $11,272AUD
Model: Navitimer Aviator 8 B35 Unitime
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 10ATM
Case Diameter: 43mm
7. Andersen Genève Worldtime Celestial Voyager Arctic Sunrise
The independent king of world timers. The independent Swiss manufacture was founded in 1979 by Svend Andersen, master watchmaker and Patek Philippe alum. Since the 1980s, the independent watchmaker has released five world timers, each using the central section of the dial as a canvas for various métiers d’art. The Andersen Genève Worldtime Celestial Voyager Arctic Sunrise is a limited-edition timepiece crafted from rose gold. Inspired by the Northern Lights, it features a cloisonné enamel and hand-guilloché dial, which depicts the morning dawn over a snow-capped vista; with each mountain outlined in gold. The surrounding mother of pearl city ring features each locale in rose gold. Due to its made-to-order nature, the colours and names of cities are able to be customised.
Price: $POA
Model: Worldtime Celestial Voyager Arctic Sunrise
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 37.8mm
8. A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone
One of the most beautiful world timers on the market, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone sees the Swiss manufacture add a world-time function to its aesthetically pleasing Lange 1 model. Based on ancient Greek principles, the layout of the Lange 1 Time Zone utilises the rule of thirds, while the date aperture follows the 1.618 golden ratio. Available in platinum, yellow gold, white gold, or rose gold, the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone features a 41.9mm case and sees the cities line the periphery of the solid silver dial. The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 Time Zone allows for the simultaneous display of two time zones, with the secondary time zone able to be selected by pressing the pusher at 8 o’clock, which will advance by one timezone from east to west. The secondary time zone is displayed in the subdial at 5 o’clock while home time appears in the larger subdial at 9 o’clock.
Price: $POA
Model: Lange 1 Time Zone
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 41.9mm
9. Patek Philippe Ref. 5230P
Combining two covetable complications in one, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5230P pairs a world-time function with a flyback chronograph. Housed in a 39.5mm platinum case, the centre of the dial features a hand-guillochéd motif, surrounded by a 24-hour ring and two city disks. White gold dauphine hands indicate the local time on gold hour indices, while the subdial at 6 o’clock tracks elapsed chronograph minutes. The timepiece is presented on a bottle green alligator leather strap, colour matched to the guilloché pattern on the dial. It’s powered by the impressive CH 28‑520 HU movement, which is decorated with côtes de genève and visible through the sapphire glass exhibition caseback.
Price: approx. $112,500AUD
Model: Ref. 5230P
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 3ATM
Case Diameter: 39.5mm
10. Moritz Grossmann Universalzeit
While not a world timer in the traditional sense, it’s innovative and unusual enough to warrant an inclusion amongst the best world timers. Housing a truly inventive movement, the Moritz Grossmann Universalzeit simultaneously displays the current time in seven time zones at a single glance. The atypical city selection — among them, Phoenix, Dubai, and Cape Town — is based on locations that don’t participate in daylight savings, nullifying the need for adjustments throughout the year. The six cites display the hours in 24-hour format. Local hours are displayed via the central hour hand, with the minutes and seconds corresponding to all cities. The artistic dial features a map containing oceans, continents, and longitude and latitude lines, with each hour aperture placed at the exact city coordinates on the map. The timepiece is housed in a 44.5mm stainless steel case and is presented on a leather strap in either black, dark brown, or blue.
Price: approx. $86,478AUD
Model: Universalzeit
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: N/A
Case Diameter: 44.5mm
11. Arnold & Son Globetrotter
Another indie release, the Arnold & Son Globetrotter takes a similarly artistic approach to the world-time watch. The London-founded Swiss watchmaker’s take on the world timer sees the incorporation of a dramatic domed sapphire crystal which sits atop a three-dimensional map of the northern hemisphere as viewed from the North Pole. Securing the glove is an openworked steel arched bridge, with two seconds meeting halfway across the world with a cabochon. With the three-dimensional globe taking up the majority of real estate on the blue lacquered dial, the Arnold & Son Globetrotter forgoes traditional hour and minute hands in favour of two small red arrows, with the smaller pointing to hours and the longer one signifying minutes. It’s not the easiest world timer to read, but it’s certainly one of the most beautiful. A sapphire glass caseback reveals the equally well-decorated movement within.
Price: $POA
Model: Globetrotter
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 30ATM
Case Diameter: 45mm
12. Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer
Released earlier this year, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer represents a welcome departure from the Swiss manufacture’s previous world timers, which tended to sport a more nautical aesthetic. An elevated timepiece for the adroit traveller, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer is available in shades of green, blue, and black; the former two with a stainless steel case and the latter in titanium. The manufacture’s latest taken on the world-time function sees a sun-brushed dial surrounded by a colour-matched ceramic bezel. The textured central section of the dial houses a laser-ablated illustration of the world as viewed from above the North Pole, laser-ablated onto a titanium dial surface. The city ring sees the names of each location printed in white or yellow gold, except for London which is in red to denote Greenwich Mean Time (GMT). Here, the 24-hour ring is divided into day and night sections and encircles the topographic illustration.
Price: from $16,100AUD
Model: Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 15ATM
Case Diameter: 43mm
13. Bulgari Octo Roma WorldTimer
The Bulgari Octo Roma WorldTimer sees the world-time function executed within the Swiss manufacture’s instantly recognisable sporty geometric case. Catering to affluent holidaymakers and working professionals in equal measure, the city ring includes substitutions to conventionally included cities. Among them, St Barth, Cabo Verde, Anchorage, and the Maldives. In keeping with Bulgari’s renown for its ultra-thin watchmaking, the Octo Roma WorldTimer employs the in-house self-winding calibre BVL257, which allows for a svelte 11.35mm width.
Price: $14,300AUD
Model: Octo Roma WorldTimer
Movement: Automatic
Water Resistance: 10ATM
Case Diameter: 41mm
FAQ
A world timer, or world time watch, is a timepiece that simultaneously displays all 24 primary time zones. Most of the watches on this list adhere to this principle, however some take a looser approach to the concept; think the Arnold & Son Globetrotter or Moritz Grossmann Universalzeit.
The world-time function was seen in pocket watches as early as the late 1800s, however it wasn’t until the early 1930s that the function was patented by Swiss watchmaker Louis Cottier. Following this, it was adopted by manufactures such as Patek Philippe, Rolex, and Vacheron Constantin.
The terms ‘world timer’ and ‘world-time watch’ refer to the same thing and are often used interchangeably, as is the case in this article.
Both GMT watches and world timers perform similar tasks; namely, showing the time in more than one time zone. However, while GMT watches are only able to display one additional time zone (i.e. local time and home time), world timers display the time in all 24 primary time zones (typically based on Greenwich Mean Time).
Due to the complicated nature of the world-time function, most world time watches boast luxury price points. However, there are a few affordable options, such as the Christopher Ward C1 Grand Malvern Worldtimer and the Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture.
Despite being one of the manufactures to quickly adopt the world time function after it was patented in the 1930s, Rolex does not currently have a world timer or world-time watch in its lineup. However, Rolex does have dual time watches — both the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sky‑Dweller and Rolex GMT-Master II are able to simultaneously display the time in two time zones.
Enjoyed this article? Why not check out our Ultimate Guide To Watches here; covering everything from the anatomy of a watch to watch styles and complications.
Words by T. Angel
