Models with cult status among frequent travelers
and fine timepiece collectors, Patek Philippe World
Time watches, launched in the 1930s, are equipped
with an innovative mechanism that simultaneously
displays local time (with its central hands) and the
time in any of the world's 24 time zones (thanks to
two rotating outer dial disks). Despite the complex-
ity of their ultra-thin self-winding caliber 240 HU
mechanisms composed of 239 parts, these timepieces
are distinguished by their exceptional ease of use
and readability. The outer disk displays the names
of 24 cities, representing the world's 24 time zones.
The hands show the local time in the time zone rep-
resented by the city positioned at the very top of the
dial at 12 o'clock. When traveling, simply press the
button on the side of the case at 10 o'clock and adjust
all of the displays in one simple movement, one hour
at a time (the local time hand, 24-hour disk, and
city disk). Thanks to an ingenious patented coupling
mechanism, the minute hand is not affected by this
switching operation. It continues to move forward
with unperturbed precision, earning the timepiece
the prestigious Patek Philippe Seal.
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