Patek Philippe World Time

In the 1950s, the advent (and immediacy) of jet travel — and the frequency at which transatlantic and transcontinental flights occurred — made it necessary for travelers to have a wristwatch that could display two time zones at once. The Patek Philippe Reference 5130P-001 is a modern reimagining of just such a watch. The successor to the 37.5mm Ref. 5110 that debuted in 2010, it’s a thoroughly contemporary piece brimming with midcentury styling.  Rendered here in platinum, it features a classical complication executed in stunning fidelity given its large, 39.5mm case size: On the dial, an inner blue guilloché sector houses applied hour indices, just beyond which sits a bi-color, blue (night) and silver (day) 24-hour ring. Beyond this adjustable ring is a white city ring — a feature familiar to devotees of classic world time complications. Using this 24-city outer ring and the inner rotating 24-hour ring — all of which is controlled by the 10 o’clock pusher — the wearer can track the time around the world from his or her present location. Via the watch’s sapphire case back, it’s possible to view the incredible workmanship in the in-house Patek Philippe Calibre 240 HU automatic movement. Included is a signed, black alligator leather strap with a signed, platinum deployant clasp, plus all the goodies. There’s a traveler’s watch, and then there’s a traveler’s watch — this is the latter.