Patek Philippe World Time

World Time is Patek Philippe's line of world time watches: a single dial shows the time in all 24 time zones at once. The system was devised by the Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier in the 1930s, and the time-zone mechanism in current models goes back to it. Around the edge of the dial runs a ring with the names of 24 cities, and inside it a 24-hour scale. Local time is shown by the central hands, and the time zone is changed with a single pusher on the case.

These models use the ultra-thin automatic calibre 240 HU. Its 22-carat gold micro-rotor is set into the movement, keeping the case slim enough to slip easily under a shirt cuff. The 5330G uses the 240 HU C version with a patented date mechanism. The date is synchronised with local time, making this the first model in the line to combine world time with a date.

Within the line, the choice is about case material, size and functions. The World Time Platinum, reference 5110P, has a 37 mm case in 950 platinum and a hand-guilloché dial centre in a blue-grey tone. A diamond is set between the lugs at 6 o'clock – the brand's mark for platinum cases. The Complications World Time Opaline Blue-gray, reference 5330G-001, has a 40 mm case in 18-carat white gold, a blue-grey dial with a Carbon guilloché pattern and a date. Besides guilloché, dial centres in the line are decorated with cloisonné enamel maps of the continents. These models have sapphire crystals and leather straps, with a canvas strap also listed for the 5330G. In the brand's catalogue, the 5330G belongs to the Complications range.