Amongst Patek Philippe’s best known complications is the travel watch, most notably the traditional world time with its mechanism inspired by the Louis Cottier system. Continuing with that tradition, the Patek Philippe World Time with Date ref. 5330G-001 features a thoughtful date complication that has been smartly implemented to allow it to go backwards and forwards in sync with the world time display. This is the regular production version of a model first introduced last year at the Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo as a limited edition.

Initial thoughts

Patek Philippe World Time watches have mostly abided by the same 24 city indication style since the 2000’s. The Cottier system is a very convenient way of showing the time simultaneously across 24 timezones by using a 24 hour disk in conjunction with a cities’ disk.

The new World Time adds a novel date indication linked to the local time. Though simple on its face, the date display is a sophisticated, two-finger mechanism that allows the date to automatically go backwards or forwards as the time display changes. Travelling from Tokyo to Hawaii, for instance, sends the date backwards.

The timepiece gains in utility, as it shows more information to the prospective globetrotter, all while keeping the additional indication discreet. 

A practical addition

The dial may seem cluttered at first, but when taken separately the indications are reasonably legible. The innermost dial with traditional dauphine-shaped hands shows local time.

Local time can be quickly adjusted in one hour increments through the case pusher at 10 o’clock. The 24-hour disk displays the time simultaneously across the world. A clear glass pointer indicates the date, discretely camouflaging the additional complication.

The unusual choice of a glass hand is unexpected for the conservative brand, but it blends in comfortably with the watch face design.

The dial features complementing blue and grey hues, with the inner local time sector decorated with a stamped carbon-like pattern. The gilded accents are a welcome addition and the numerals for the date and 24 hour disk come in a stylised yet elegant font.

The cal. 240 HU C inside is based on cal. 240, the brand’s quintessential micro-rotor movement that has equipped its timepieces since the 1980s, but heavily upgraded since.

Amongst the upgrades is the trademark Patek Philippe yromax free sprung-balance gains a Spiromax hairspring in silicon, which beats at 3 Hz. The 22k solid gold micro rotor winds uni-directionally the mainspring, which stores a 48 hours’ worth of power reserve.

The movement is finished to high standards – and hallmarked with the Patek Philippe Seal like all of the brand’s movements – and features a classical architecture. In order to accommodate the date indication, the base caliber was reworked with a special differential gear set and two star wheels. The date can be set both forwards and backwards and has safety measures implemented for when the local time is set.

The polished case is 18k white gold with a compact 40mm diameter. It shares the vintage-inspired design with fluted lugs also seen on last year’s Calatrava 24-Hour Travel Time ref. 5224R.

The hour pusher is polished as well and the crown is signed with the Calatrava cross. There’s a recessed pusher in the case at eight o’clock for setting the date, as the calendar module can’t be linked to the existing keyless works. 

Key facts and price

Patek Philippe World Time with Date
Ref. 5330G-001

Diameter: 40 mm
Height: 11.57 mm
Material: 18K white gold
Crystal: Sapphire
Water resistance: 30 m

Movement: Cal. 240 HU C
Functions: Local hours and minutes, universal time, and pointer date
Winding: Automatic
Frequency: 21,600 beats per hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 48 hours

Strap: Denim-motif calfskin with 18K white gold folding clasp

Limited edition: No
Availability: At Patek Philippe boutiques and retailers
Price: US$76,590

For more information, visit Patek.com