We had a chance to talk about the best travel watches, as well as the best GMT watches, but this time we want to shift our focus to World Time watches.
World timer watches are a type of watch that displays the time in multiple time zones simultaneously. They were first developed in the early 1900s, as the world became increasingly interconnected, and travel became more common.
The first world timer watch was invented by Louis Cottier in 1931. Cottier's watch had a rotating bezel with the names of 24 cities printed on it. The wearer could set their home time zone by aligning the city of their choice with the 12 o'clock position. The time in all other time zones would then be displayed on the dial.
Today, there is a wide variety of world timer watches available, from affordable models to high-end luxury watches.
World timer watches typically have a rotating bezel with the names of 24 cities printed on it. The wearer can set their home time zone by aligning the city of their choice with the 12 o'clock position. The time in all other time zones will then be displayed on the dial.
In addition to the rotating bezel, many world timer watches also have a 24-hour ring on the dial. This ring shows the time in all time zones in a 24-hour format. The 24-hour ring is often color-coded to indicate day and night.
World Time Watches
13. Casio “Royale” AE1200WHD-1A
Casio Royale is designed to evoke a sense of nostalgia for those who grew up in the 1980s. Its retro-inspired look, with a rectangular stainless steel case and bracelet, resembles the digital watches of that era.
The watch gained additional attention when it was worn by the character James Bond, portrayed by Daniel Craig, in the 2015 film "Spectre." In the movie, the watch is modified with additional features and gadgets, which add to its appeal. This model is known for its affordability, making it accessible to a wide range of consumers. It offers a vintage aesthetic without the high price tag associated with luxury watches.
Despite its retro appearance, the Casio AE1200WHD-1A comes equipped with a variety of useful features, including world time functionality, alarms, a countdown timer, and an LED backlight. These features make it a practical choice for everyday wear.
12. Citizen JY8078-01L Promaster Skyhawk A-T
The Citizen JY8078-01L Promaster Skyhawk A-T is a high-end pilot's watch that is known for its accuracy, reliability, and features. It is a solar-powered watch with atomic timekeeping, which means that it will always be accurate within a few seconds. It also has a variety of other features, including a chronograph, perpetual calendar, dual time, alarms, countdown timer, digital backlight and UTC display, power reserve, and pilot's rotating slide rule bezel.
The JY8078-01L Promaster Skyhawk A-T is made with high-quality materials and construction. The case is made of stainless steel and the bracelet is made of leather. The dial is protected by a sapphire crystal, which is scratch-resistant.
11. Seiko SPL057 Worldtimer
The Seiko SPL057 Worldtimer is a limited-edition quartz watch that was released in 2017 to celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Age of Discovery collection. It is a beautiful and versatile watch with a unique green dial and a variety of features.
The SPL057 has a 40mm stainless steel case and a brown leather strap. The dial is green with gold-tone accents and a 24-hour subdial at the 6 o'clock position. The chapter ring is marked with the names of 24 major cities around the world, which allows the wearer to easily track the time in different time zones.
It is powered by the Seiko Caliber 5T82 quartz movement, which is known for its accuracy and reliability. The watch also has a variety of other features, including a date display, alarm, and chronograph.
10. Christopher Ward C1 Worldglow
The Christopher Ward C1 Worldglow is a unique and innovative timepiece that was released in 2021. It is a worldtimer watch with a bold and distinctive design, and it is one of the most popular watches in the Christopher Ward catalog.
This watch is powered by the Sellita SW330-2 GMT movement, which is a reliable and accurate automatic movement. The watch has a 43.5mm stainless steel case and a domed sapphire crystal. The dial is black with a white world map and a 24-hour ring. The hands and hour markers are coated with Super-LumiNova, which makes them easy to read in low-light conditions.
All in all, the C1 Worldglow is a versatile watch that can be worn for a variety of occasions. It is a great watch for travelers, business professionals, and anyone else who needs to keep track of time in multiple time zones. It is also a popular watch among collectors and enthusiasts alike.
9. Frederique Constant Classic Worldtimer Manufacture
With its elegant design and innovative features, the Classics Worldtimer Manufacture is a watch that will turn heads wherever you go. The 42mm stainless steel case is both durable and stylish, and the blue dial is simply stunning. The hour markers and hands are coated with Super-LumiNova, making them easy to read in low-light conditions.
The Classics Worldtimer Manufacture is powered by the Frederique Constant Caliber FC-718 movement, which is an in-house automatic movement with a power reserve of 42 hours. The movement features a world timer complication, which allows you to easily track the time in 24 different time zones.
8. Zürich World Time Midnight Blue
Zürich World Time Midnight Blue is a popular watch model from Nomos Glashütte, a German watchmaker known for its minimalist and Bauhaus-inspired designs. The Zürich World Time Midnight Blue is a world timer watch, which means that it can display the time in 24 different time zones simultaneously.
The watch has a 40mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal and a midnight blue dial. The dial features a 24-hour ring with the names of 24 major cities around the world. The city ring can be rotated to set the local time, and the hour hand will then automatically adjust to the local time. The minute and second hands will remain on local time.
7. Bvlgari Octo Roma Worldtimer
Bvlgari is a Swiss watchmaker that has been in business for over 130 years. The company is known for its high-quality watches and its innovative designs. Octo Roma Worldtimer features a reliable and accurate automatic movement with a worldtimer complication.
It is a stylish and versatile watch. It has a unique and eye-catching design that is sure to turn heads. The watch can be worn for a variety of occasions, from formal events to casual outings.
6. Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Universal Time is an elegant and sophisticated watch that is perfect for the global traveler. It has a classic design with a modern twist, and it is powered by reliable and accurate automatic movement.
The watch has a 41mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal and a black dial. To sum up, it is a watch that is beautifully designed, well-made, and reliable world timer watch. It is the perfect watch for the global traveler who needs a watch that is both stylish and functional.
5. Junghans Meister Worldtimer
Junghans is a German watchmaker that was founded in 1861. The company is known for its high-quality watches and its innovative designs. Junghans watches are known for their Bauhaus-inspired designs and their use of high-quality materials.
The Meister Worldtimer is powered by the Junghans Caliber J310 automatic movement, which has a power reserve of 42 hours.
4. IWC Pilot's Worldtimer
The IWC Pilot's Worldtimer is a part of the IWC Schaffhausen Pilot's Watch collection, known for its aviation-inspired design and functionality.
Popular watch among pilots and other professionals who need to keep track of time in multiple time zones. The watch has a classic pilot's watch design with a large dial and easy-to-read hands and markers.
3. Omega Aqua Terra 150m Co‑Axial Master Chronometer GMT Worldtimer
The Omega Seamaster collection was first introduced in 1948, and the Aqua Terra line was introduced in 2002. The Aqua Terra line is known for its classic design, water resistance, and durable construction.
The watch has a 43mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal and a blue dial. The dial features a teak pattern silver hands and hour markers. The watch also has a date window at the 6 o'clock position.
This Omega is named after the Aqua Terra, which is a region of the ocean that is located between the coastal waters and the open ocean. The watch is designed to be both stylish and functional, and it is perfect for the global traveler who needs a watch that can keep up with their busy lifestyle.
Seamaster is powered by the Omega Co-Axial Master Chronometer Caliber 8938 automatic movement, which is one of the most advanced and reliable movements on the market. The movement is certified by the Swiss Federal Institute of Metrology (METAS), which means that it has met the highest standards of precision and accuracy.
2. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Worldtime
Vacheron Constantin Overseas is a symbol of luxury and sophistication, appealing to those who appreciate both world-class horology and a sportier, contemporary aesthetic.
This watch is a part of the Overseas collection, which was first introduced by the Swiss watchmaker Vacheron Constantin in the 1990s. The Overseas collection was created to combine the elegance and craftsmanship of Vacheron Constantin with a sportier and more contemporary design, making it suitable for modern-day globetrotters and adventurers.
It often features a stainless steel case, a signature bezel with the Maltese cross motif (a symbol associated with Vacheron Constantin), and a beautifully crafted dial. The Worldtime model typically includes a world map in the center of the dial, which serves as a visual reference for the world time function.
1. Patek Philippe World Time
The Patek Philippe World Time watch is a masterpiece in the world of horology. The concept of a world time watch with a rotating disc to display time zones was originally developed by the Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier in the 1930s. Patek Philippe recognized the brilliance of this invention and collaborated with Cottier to create world time watches.
Patek Philippe introduced its first World Time watch in 1939, which was powered by the caliber 12-400 HU movement. This watch featured a distinctive dial with a rotating city disc and a 24-hour ring, allowing wearers to read the time in different cities around the world. It became an instant classic.
End Of Our Travel With World Time Watches
World timer watches are a complex and sophisticated type of watch, but they can be incredibly useful for travelers, business people, and watch collectors alike. By keeping track of the time in multiple time zones, world timer watches can make it easy to stay organized and on schedule, even when you're traveling the world.
When choosing a world timer watch, there are a few key factors to consider:
- Movement
- Complications
- Price
Once you've decided that, you'll be well on your way to choosing the perfect world timer watch for your needs.
FAQ
1. What are the best world time watches?
The answer to this question is based on your specific needs and preferences.
2. What is a world timer watch?
A world timer watch is a type of watch that displays the time in multiple time zones simultaneously. They are typically equipped with a rotating bezel that displays the names of 24 cities. The wearer can set their home time zone by aligning the city of their choice with the 12 o'clock position. The time in all other time zones will then be displayed on the dial.
3. What are some affordable world time watches?
The most affordable world timer is Casio “Royale” AE1200WHD-1A, and you can read more about that watch in the blog.