Photography by Bryan Edwards
Styled by Elyse Remenowsky
The lifestyle of today’s businessperson is an increasingly global affair. It isn’t uncommon to see a diverse range of fine timepieces in a business-class lounge or an airport bar. It’s hardly an exaggeration to say that worldtimers and GMTs have more utility than ever before. Here, we have photographed some of our favorite recent releases that relate to travel and transportation. From the always-agreeable “Pepsi” bezel Rolex GMT and the first-of-its-kind Jaeger-LeCoultre Geophysic Tourbillon Universal Time to options for younger collectors looking to expand their collection. If only these watches, which make dreadfully long flights slightly more bearable, could also cure jet lag. —Logan R. Baker and Shyam Patel
Being a trailblazer is always a remarkable proposition and one that is right within Jaeger-LeCoultre’s wheelhouse. When the Le Sentier-based watchmaker rolled out the very first worldtimer and flying tourbillon combination within the Geophysic Tourbillon Universal Time at SIHH earlier this year, the only people surprised were those not already paying attention. Price : $145,000.
LEFT: An attractive and affordable option, this worldtimer from the youthful manufacture Frédérique Constant comes on a midnight-blue dial and alligator strap and fits snugly on the wrist. It pairs nicely with a matching navy blazer and dress pants to make a striking combination. Price : $4,195.
RIGHT: Montblanc is known for a diverse range of luxury goods; from their watchmaking division comes the 4810 Orbis Terrarum, released last year. While the base of the watch’s movement comes from Sellita, the worldtimer module is completely house-made. Price : $5,900.
The clean dial design and Arabic numerals that Panerai is known for make reading a GMT complication a seamless endeavor. The oversize case and protruding crown protector are at home both during a relaxing summer sail and at dinner in New York City. Price : $10,200.
Chopard’s L.U.C Time Traveler One, with its simultaneous display of 24 time zones, legible 35 mm dial, rotating 4-hour ring, and dual-crown case set it apart from other worldtimers. The watch’s caliber 1.05-L movement with a 60-hour power reserve is festooned with a Côtes de Genève motif and complemented with beveled bridges. Price : $22,500.
LEFT: Patek Philippe was the first company to launch a wristwatch with a worldtime complication. The self-winding Caliber 240 HU movement, outfitted with a 22-karat gold mini-rotor, powers the brand’s Ref. 530G-001 worldtimer and its 24-hour and day-and-night indications. The elegance of this timepiece is heightened by a guilloche-swathed dial coated in a smoky-gray lacquer and a rich alligator strap fitted with a foldover clasp. Price : $27,625.
RIGHT: The graphic black-and-white dial of Girard-Perregaux’s 1966 WW.TC, along with its slim bezel, polished dauphine hands, and luxurious strap, bring unfussy refinement to this traveler’s timepiece, allowing it to transition easily from flight to boardroom. With legible typography and white and black halves of the 4-hour disc that denote day and night, respectively, Girard-Perregaux manages to polish up its technical mastery. Price $23,800.
Hora Domus, latin for “Home Time,” utilizes a dual-time-zone display to highlight local and home time on its inky-black dial. This watch goes beyond the call of duty for typical dual-time complications by offering a.m./p.m., season, and day/night indicators—all fashioned in an eye-catching pink gold, double-ellipsed case. Price : $38,300.
In 1954, Rolex’s original GMT Master was released in partnership with Pan Am as a means to curb jet lag for the airline’s globe-trotting crews. The new iteration of the GMT Master II has a bracelet and case of white gold, while its illustrious Pepsi bezel was reimagined in Cerachrom, a material known for its scratch resistance and ability to retain color over time. Price: $38,250.