Summary Waqt Picks 3 of the Best World Timers for 2024

If you’re a frequent Waqt reader, you’ve probably come across our picks for time zone watches, those trusty GMTs and dual timepieces that keep track of a second time zone alongside your home time. However, what we haven’t discussed is the world timer, a truly groundbreaking concept that emerged back in the 1930s. This watch didn’t just show a second time zone; it displayed all 24 time zones around the world, each separated by just one hour. This system, which was later adopted by many brands, transformed the way we think about time on a global scale.

As 2024 ended, Waqt’s editorial team has selected 3 world timers that truly stole the spotlight this year. 

Patek Philippe Worldtime with Date 5330G

Patek Philippe introduced the 5330G World Time as part of its permanent collection. The 5330G now boasts a beautifully crafted opaline blue-gray dial and is equipped with automatic date synchronization with local time. The watch comes in a white gold case that measures 40 mm in diameter and 11.57 mm in thickness, and it is adorned with elegantly curved two-tier fluted lugs. It also features a special guilloché pattern called the carbon pattern at the center of the dial, along with a red-tipped central hand that marks the date.

The watch is powered by the newly introduced Patek Philippe caliber 240 HU C, an automatic movement that ensures the accurate display of the time in all 24 time zones, along with the local date. The innovative mechanism allows the user to adjust the time and date in one-hour increments at the press of a pusher, a unique feature in world timers. The watch is priced at approximately AED 264,000.

Bovet Récital 28 Prowess 1

Bovet has long been recognized for its exquisite craftsmanship and innovative timepieces, and this year, the brand introduces a groundbreaking advancement with the Récital 28 Prowess 1, the first-ever world timer designed to handle the complexities of Daylight Saving Time (DST).

 While traditional world-time watches rely on fixed time differences, Bovet has revolutionized this function by introducing rollers for each city and time zone. With a simple press of the crown, wearers can switch between different time modes such as UTC, AST, EAS, and EWT, making it easier than ever to manage the shifting hours that come with DST. The watch also features a double-sided flying tourbillon, a perpetual calendar, and a distinctive 24-city dial highlighted by black rollers.

The Récital 28 Prowess 1 is available in a choice of materials, including grade 5 titanium, pink gold, or platinum, and has a bold presence with a 46.3mm diameter case. The dial is enhanced with aventurine glass and luminescent material, adding a celestial touch to the timepiece. The watch is powered by the hand-wound caliber R28-70-00X, a movement that boasts a 10-day power reserve. It is limited to just 8 pieces per year, and the price is available upon request.

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Caliber 948 World-Timer

Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a new iteration of its Master Grande Tradition Caliber 948, featuring a striking green enamel dial and a flying tourbillon that completes a full circuit of the dial in 24 hours. The green enamel dial, crafted by the Maison's Métiers Rares atelier, combines the techniques of enameling, guilloche, and lacquering, resulting in a vibrant and intricate design. The dial showcases a North Pole view of the world with a raised gold map of the Northern Hemisphere, encircled by a city ring that displays 24 time zones. The flying tourbillon, visible through a circular aperture, rotates synchronously with the map, completing a 24-hour cycle.

Encased in 18-carat pink gold, the watch features a case measuring 43mm in diameter and 14.13mm in thickness. The caliber 948 movement, is entirely developed and manufactured by Jaeger-LeCoultre, and is the first to combine a world-time complication with a flying tourbillon. Limited to just 20 pieces, this luxurious timepiece is priced at AED 1,050,000. 

The timepieces highlighted here showcase just a fraction of the innovation and artistry that we saw this year 2024, with each selection reflecting unique craftsmanship. Of course, these choices are subjective, and many other exceptional watches released this year were exceptional. As we close this chapter, we celebrate a year of horological brilliance and eagerly anticipate the creativity and ingenuity that 2025 will undoubtedly bring.