Six Watches Perfectly Fit For Crossing Time Zones
Travelling the globe in style, and on time, made easy.
In watchmaking, pretty much every complication started with the quest for a solution to a common problem. The tourbillon solved the influence of gravity on the balance spring, the chronograph provided the ability to time events as they happened, and repeater watches served as an audible timepiece for when the lights went down. Perhaps above all, however, the (true, traveller’s, flyer’s) GMT or world timer complication serves the most real-world purpose nowadays. It keeps you on time when travelling, with the ability to adjust according to time zones ‘on the fly’, as well as keep track of the time back home or even in multiple places across the globe at once. No wonder that brands often explore the realm of travel watches in search of stylish, functional answers to our globetrotting needs.
Tudor Northflag GMT
Upon the return of the Northflag, replacing the long-discontinued North Flag, Tudor decided to refresh it top to bottom. New case construction, new dial, new function, new movement, new integrated bracelet, the lot… The brand also dropped the beloved power reserve indication in favour of a GMT hand, yet the black, white and yellow colour scheme has remained. The new Northflag comes in at 40mm across and 12.7mm in height, with a fixed bezel (minus the ceramic plinth) and an open caseback. The Calibre MT5652-U is a true GMT automatic, and this generation of the Northflag is a Tudor Boutique Exclusive retailing for EUR 5,050.
For more information, please visit TudorWatch.com.
Quick Facts – 40mm x 12.7mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – fixed brushed bezel – screw-down crown – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – matte black – monobloc ceramic markers – white hands with SLN – yellow seconds & GMT hand – date – Calibre MT5652-U, manufacture automatic (Kenissi) – 28.800vph – 65h power reserve – METAS & COSC certified – integrated steel bracelet with T-Fit adjustable clasp – EUR 5,050
Frederique Constant classic Worldtimer Manufacture
We’ve said it before, and we’ll happily say it again: Frederique Constant is quite honestly on a very good run with its latest releases. The Monetta, the Classics Premiere, and this Classic Worldtimer Manufacture look the part and deliver on the brand’s promise of ‘affordable luxury’. The refreshed Classics Worldtimer Manufacture comes with a navy or gradient blue dial featuring a world map, city ring, 24-hour ring, and central hands for the hours, minutes, and seconds. Around the back, you get a full view of the Calibre FC-719 with extended power reserve of 72 hours. Presented on an alligator leather strap or a five-link braccelet, it retails for EUR 4,995. A diamond-set version is also available, limited to 88 pieces and retailing for EUR 7,995.
For more information, please visit FrederiqueConstant.com.
Quick Facts – 40mm x 12.53mm – stainless steel case, polished – onion-style crown – sapphire crystal front & back – navy blue or gradient blue worldtimer dial (diamond-set also available) – world map, city ring, 24h ring, central time – markers & hands with Super-LumiNova – Calibre FC-719, manufacture automatic – 28,800vph – 72h power reserve – interchangeable leather strap or five-link bracelet with folding clasp – EUR 4,995 (diamond-set is limited to 88 pieces, EUR 7,995)
Ming 57.05 COMET
MING made a lasting impression with a simple yet very clever solution to accommodate Daylight Saving Time, or DST. The new 57.05 Comet comes with a dual-scale bezel, with an adjustable outer ring to switch to ‘DST ON’ mode if needed. Paired with a lovely textured dial, two-tone 24-hour ring and MING’s trademark play of levels, light and lume, it looks pretty darn good. Add to that the stepped lugs, the (optional) 3D printed ittanium Polymesh bracelet and a reliable Swiss Made automatic, and MING has a real winner on its hands. Limited to 200 pieces, it retails for CHF 6.950 on leather, or CHF 7,950 on the Polymesh bracelet.
For more information, please visit Ming.Watch.
Quick Facts – 40mm x 10.33mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – patent-pending DST adjustable bezel – sapphire crystal front & back – multilayered blue dial with raster structure – 24-hour worldtime ring – luminous hands & markers – Sellita for MING Calibre 330-.M2, automatic – 28,800vph – approx. 50h power reserve – cobalt blue leather strap or 3D printed titanium Polymesh bracelet – limited to 200 pieces – CHF 6,950 (leather) or CHF 7,950 (Polymesh)
Greubel Forsey GMT Balancier Convexe
If you want to go all out, the new Greubel Forsey GMT Balancier Convexe is the watch for you. This ultra-complex and admittedly rather pricey travel watch is the one of the best that the brand has the offer. The shaped case, curved crystal and integrated strap ensure a comfortable fit, despite it’s daunting dimensions of 42.9mm by 44.9mm and a height of 15.1mm. It packs an inclined balance wheel, hours, minutes, small seconds, power reserve indicator, GMT counter, rotating globe for the world time and a day/night indicator. Only 22 of these brilliantly finished watches will be made, at a price of CHF 380,000 each.
For more information, please visit GreubelForsey.com.
Quick Facts – 42.9mm x 44.9mm x 15.1mm – shaped titanium case – titanium pushers & crown – domed & curved sapphire crystal – hours, minutes, seconds, power reserve, GMT, rotating world timer globe, day/night indicator, universal time on caseback with 24 time zones & DST – in-house movement, manual winding – 496 parts – integrated strap with folding clasp or titaniun bracelet (on request) – limited to 22 pieces – CHF 380,000 (on strap)
Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time Cardinal Points
The Overseas has always been Vacheron Constantin’s take on the modern, edgy sports watch, fit for everyday life and then some. With the Dual Time Cardinal Points, the Maison takes this idea even further as it’s fully equipped to explore the world. With a case in titanium, paired with an interchangeable rubber strap and titanium bracelet, it really becomes a go-anywhere-do-anything kind of watch. Four colours are available: brown, white, blue and green, all with a grained texture and luminous markers and hands. It indicates central time, a second time zone, day or night, and the date. The price is set at CHF 33,700.
For more information, please visit Vacheron-Constantin.com.
Quick Facts – 41mm x 12mm – titanium case – anthracite bezel, crown & pusher ring – sapphire crystal front & back – screw-down crown – 150m water-resistance – grained dial in white, blue, green or brown – applied markers & hands with SLN – Calibre 5110 DT/3, in-house automatic – 28,800vph – approx. 60h power reserve – Geneva Seal – hours, minutes, seconds, second time zone, am/pm, date – interchangeable rubber strap and titanium bracelet with folding clasp – CHF 33,700
Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer Radiant White
Ever since its initial release, the Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer by Nomos remains one of our favourite watches from the brand in recent times. The slender build, the exceptional contrast and the practical worldtimer indication make it an excellent travel companion. This new and rather serene silvery-white dial edition ramps up its appeal even further. The worldtimer complication uses a city ring that can be adjusted via the pusher, with the central hour hand moving along accordingly. On the right, the two-tone 24-hour dial keeps track of home time, and off you go! Fitted to a stainless steel three-link bracelet, it retails for a rather fair EUR 4,260.
For more information, please visit Nomos-Glashuette.com.
Quick Facts – 40mm x 9.9mm – stainless steel case, polished – screw-down crown with red warning ring & pusher – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – white silver-plated dial – central hour & minutes – small seconds subdial – two-tone 24h-subdial – city ring – Calibre DUC 3202, in-house automatic – 21,600vph – 42h power reserve – interchangeable stainless steel bracelet with folding clasp (textile/leather straps available) – EUR 4,260