Patek Philippe’s new World Time watch keeps track of the dateline

October 18, 2024

Jet-setters, if you’re crossing the dateline, or simply traveling overnight, you can now reset the time and date on your wrist with the push of a single button.

Patek Philippe began crafting World Time watches after the advent of transatlantic flights in the 1930s, when aviation allowed for rapid trips across multiple time zones in a single day.

While other world-time watches equipped with a date function require manual setting of both the time and the date, the new Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 5330G-001 automatically synchronizes the date to your new time zone, cleverly advancing the calendar at midnight.

Or, if you’re crossing the international date line from west to east, flipping the calendar back by a day.

The new timepiece and its patented technology were first introduced in 2023 to commemorate Patek Philippe’s “Watch Art” grand exhibition in Tokyo.

While that limited-edition featured a purple dial with a matching purple strap, the new 2024 blue-gray version — now available worldwide — offers a more casual vibe, thanks to its denim-look strap.

The date display lies on a beveled flange at the edge of the dial. A red-tipped hand crafted of transparent glass, another first for the brand, points to the date. The city disc and the 24-hour disc (divided into day and night zones), lie just inside the date ring. As a traveler selects their new time zone — displayed in the 12 o’clock position — the hour and minute hands will indicate the local time.

This new-generation World Time is the culmination of nearly 100 years of travel innovations from the Swiss brand. Patek Philippe began crafting World Time watches after the advent of transatlantic flights in the 1930s, when aviation allowed for rapid trips across multiple time zones in a single day.

Patek Philippe’s watches provided an essential tool for newly minted globe-trotters, allowing for a reading of all the world’s 24 time zones at a glance. Since then, the house has continued to make strides to perfect its travel innovations.

Its current World Time offerings now include six pieces, including a flyback chronograph.

This latest reference’s sporty, informal appearance belies its mechanical complexity. The center of the watch’s opaline dial has a woven carbon-fiber motif, and its calfskin strap is embossed to resemble blue jeans. The 40 mm, 18-karat white-gold watch is fitted with a sapphire-crystal caseback, allowing for a full view of its fully polished self-winding movement.

Which makes it easy to see why you might want to make a date with one on the fly.