Introducing the latest generation of the World Time watch, a pioneering innovation from Patek Philippe, featuring a date display synchronised with local time. This new-generation World Time watch boasts a patented, world-first feature: a date display synchronised with local time, which is set according to the time zone selected at the 12 o’clock position on the city disk and indicated by the centre hands.
The new caliber 240 HU C self-winding movement includes an innovative differential system that displays the date around the periphery of the dial. This is achieved through a centre hand made of transparent glass with a red hammerhead tip. The watch's elegant white-gold case frames a blue-grey opaline dial, adorned with a “carbon” motif at its centre. This technical advancement enhances the Patek Philippe World Time collection, expanding the incredible selection of travel watches offered by the manufacture.
First introduced in the 1930s, during the era of the first transatlantic flights, the renowned Patek Philippe World Time was based on an invention by Genevan master watchmaker Louis Cottier. It has been continuously optimised since. From the early 1950s, this function has allowed users to read the time simultaneously and permanently in all 24 time zones, using two mobile disks (a city disk and a 24-hour disk), while also displaying local time in the selected time zone with centre hour and minute hands. This ingenious system, often combined with dial centres featuring colourful maps in Grand Feu cloisonné enamel or hand-guilloché decorations, has made this complication one of the most recognizable and sought-after Patek Philippe models.
As with all Patek Philippe World Time watches, the new Reference 5330G-001 is distinguished by its refined and unique appearance. Its blue-grey opaline dial centre, adorned with a carbon motif, adds a dynamic, modern touch. The 24-hour disk is divided into day and night zones, symbolised by a small gilt sun on a silvery background for noon and a gilt crescent moon on a blue-grey background for midnight.
On the city disk, a red dot between Auckland and Midway marks the International Date Line. Faceted dauphine-style hands and faceted applied baton-style hour markers, all in white gold with a white luminescent coating, indicate local time in the selected time zone. The fully polished white-gold case, measuring 40 mm in diameter, features curved two-tier fluted lugs. The sapphire-crystal back reveals the architecture of the new caliber 240 HU C self-winding movement and the meticulous finishing of its components.
