SELECTION 2011 - Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time by Vacheron Constantin

World time watches are hard to keep clean and legible. Vacheron Constantin not only introduced a truly innovative and comprehensive world time movement, but kept the dial clean and beautiful.

WORLDTEMPUS - 6 December 2010

Elizabeth Doerr 

Caliber 2460WT is not only stamped with the Seal of Geneva, its functional ease using only one crown has been registered for a patent © Vacheron Constantin

At this year’s SIHH, Vacheron Constantin introduced a watch that represents a true jump in the arena of world time watches. The original 24 time zones adapted by the International Meridian Conference in 1884 have become a full 37 in the modern day. This increased number of time zones has, of course, occurred thanks to politics: Nepal, for example, boasts a time zone that is on the quarter, while others such as India are on the half-hour. Naturally, recent changes like Venezuela having moved to +4:30 from +5 have also been taken into consideration.

Perhaps most impressive is the mastery of the cleanliness of the dial despite the wealth of information found on it. And it doesn’t hurt that it is also beautifully decorated with a colorful enameled world map in the center.

Three superimposed dial parts comprise the elegant “face” of the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time display. A sapphire crystal dial touts day/night shading and a 24-hour display for easy reading of home time. A metal dial with what is known as a “Lambert” projection map allows all 37 time zones, including Daylight Savings Time and reference city indication, to be visible at once. A metal chapter ring on the outside of the dial that remains relatively inconspicuous displays the local time with the main hands. This complicated piece of watchmaking represents a real milestone for providing all world-related timing information.

However, it is one patented element that automatic Caliber 2460WT is capable of that merits its new place on the throne of world timers: all functions are set and adjusted by just one crown. Yes, you read that right. This simplifying functionality of the movement stamped with the prestigious Seal of Geneva has also been registered for a patent. It comes housed in an elegant 42.5 mm rose gold case that is even water-resistant to 30 meters.