Today we will be sending you the 2023 edition of our "Top 5 Recommended Multi-Time Zone Watches" mechanical wristwatches .
As the name suggests, a "multi-time zone watch" is a watch that has the ability to display a second time zone. Broadly speaking, there are watches that display a second time zone using the bezel and GMT hand, watches that display a second time zone on the dial, and watches that read the time using a disk showing major cities around the world. This is a particularly useful feature for businessmen who travel abroad frequently, but design and value are also important points to consider when choosing a watch.
Taking that into consideration, we would like to introduce five carefully selected models that we recommend to those who are interested in multi-time zone watches! We hope you will enjoy reading until the end.
*This price is based on our store's selling prices as of April 2023.
① [Vacheron Constantin] "Overseas Dual Time" "Ref. 7900V / 110A-B334"
*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/vacheron_constantin/overseas-dual-time-291834/
Vacheron Constantin's Overseas Dual Time, released in 2018, is capable of displaying the time in two countries: local time and home time.
The central hour hand indicates the local time, the triangular-tipped GMT hand indicates the home time, the day/night indicator (AM/PM) at the 9 o'clock position indicates the day/night of the home time, and the pointer date at the 6 o'clock position is linked to the local time. The bezel is based on the symbolic Maltese cross, and the see-through back allows you to appreciate the beautiful finish and 22K gold rotor. The dial is available in three colors: blue, black, and silver, with the blue dial being particularly popular. The market has recently settled down and is now more affordable than before, so if you're interested, now might be your chance.
● Estimated budget: around 4,300,000 yen
② [Patek Philippe] "World Time" "Ref. 5130J-001"
*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/patek_philippe/patek-philippe-other/worldtime-292445/
The Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 5130 was released in 2006 as the successor to the Ref. 5110.
The case size has been changed from 37mm to 39.5mm, the hour hand has been changed from leaf hand to apple hand, and the center of the dial has been changed from guilloche to sunbeam (radial) finish. The "world time mechanism" originates from "Cal.515 HU" developed by Louis Cottier, an independent watchmaker active in Geneva from the 1920s to the 1960s, and has an innovative specification in which the main time display is in the center and the disk on the outer periphery displays the world time. By simply pressing the push button at the 10 o'clock position on the case, the hour hand, 24-hour display rotating disk, and city name disk move in tandem, and the current time is adjusted by pushing until the city name you want to set is at the 12 o'clock position. Due to its sophisticated design, it is not only easy to use, but also a recommended watch for those who want a mature dress watch.
● Estimated budget: around 4,500,000 yen
3. Rolex: GMT Master, Ref. 16758
*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/rolex/gmt-master/gmt-master-183/
The GMT Master is synonymous with models equipped with a GMT function, and is popular among the many Rolex models due to the wide range of bezel colors available.
It is still fresh in our memory that the yellow Rolesor (combination) model "Ref.126713GRNR" with a black x gray Cerachrom bezel and the solid gold model "Ref.126718GRNR" were announced as new models in 2023. This time, we will introduce the "GMT Master" "Ref.16758" with an all-black bezel, which is thought to be the prototype of the design. This is the third generation "GMT Master" manufactured from around 1980 to around 1988, and the applied index seen in the individual manufactured until around 1985 is called "barnacle dial" as its name suggests because it looks like the "barnacles" of a shell, and is a particularly popular specification. The waterproof performance has also been upgraded from 50m of the previous model "Ref.1675/8" to 100m, and the movement has been changed to "Cal.3075" with a "quick change function", which has improved usability. The new products are attractive, but it's also nice to choose a semi-vintage model that has a certain texture to it.
Estimated budget: Around 4,500,000 yen (black)
④ [A. Lange & Söhne] "Lange 1 Time Zone" "Ref. 136.029"
*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/a-lange_and_sohne/lange-1-time-zone-298698/
The Lange 1 Time Zone, released in 2005, follows the asymmetrical design of the Lange 1 and is equipped with two dials: a main dial showing the time in a first city and a sub-dial showing the time in a second city.
On both the main dial and the sub-dial, when the hour hand is in the blue position it indicates nighttime. The hour hand rotates once every 12 hours, while the inside of the dial, which is printed with a blue semicircular arc, rotates once every 24 hours. There are 24 cities that can be specified, and the triangular marker at the 5 o'clock position on the sub-dial at the bottom right indicates the representative city for the set time. When the small window of the triangular marker turns red, it indicates that the country is on daylight saving time, and the time is read by adding one hour from spring to autumn in the Northern Hemisphere and from late summer to spring in the Southern Hemisphere. If you are captivated by the stylish design as well as the excellent functionality, this is a popular product that will sell out quickly, so hurry up!
●Estimated budget: Approximately 7,000,000 yen
5. [Audemars Piguet] "Royal Oak Dual Time" "Ref. 25730ST.O.0789ST"
*Source: https://www.commit-watch.co.jp/buyer/watches/mens/audemars_piguet/royal-oak/royal-oak-277929/
Lastly, there is the Royal Oak Dual Time, which was released in 1989 and was the first Audemars Piguet watch to feature a dual time mechanism that displays the time in a second time zone.
This automatic movement, Cal. 2229, is based on Jaeger-LeCoultre's Cal. 928 Ebauche. The dial features a pointer date at 1-3 o'clock, a dual time display at 6 o'clock, and a power reserve display at 8-11 o'clock, creating an extremely beautiful and streamlined layout. The model we are introducing has a case diameter of 36mm, but there is also a lineup of models with a 39mm diameter and Cal. 2329/2846, such as the Ref. 26120ST, so why not choose the size that suits your taste? Currently, all models of the Royal Oak Dual Time are discontinued, but they are more affordable than the popular three-hand models, so we would like to secretly recommend this one.
● Estimated budget: around 3,300,000 yen
summary
What did you think.
There is a wide lineup of "multi-time zone watches," but this time we have introduced some models with distinctive designs and rare models that are rarely seen on the market. We hope this article will be helpful for those who don't want to be the same as others, but still think that "a multi-time zone watch is good."
Once again, I hope this article helps you find your favorite one.
see you!