Watch Time Zone Complications - Worldtimer and GMT
The two different complications designed for folks crossing time-zones are the GMT and the Worldtimer. Many countries around the world are now seeing tourists move freely in/out as per pre-pandemic norms. And so a good time as many to talk travel complications (coincidentally both of which I am privileged to own).
The Grand Seiko SBGN003 features a True GMT, where the time-keeping hours hand has the ability to 'quick-jump' hours, and so is able to reflect the date changes as you move forwards and backwards with respect to time zones.
Meanwhile, the Farer Aldrich runs what is sometimes called an 'Office GMT'-type Worldtimer disc. In an 'Office GMT', the 24-hours hand is linked to the the time-telling hour hand. From a usability perspective, think of it more like an additional arrow which is set first, and then your adjust the standard hours and minutes like you would any other watch. Frankly, once you have used a True GMT it is hard to go back to an 'Office GMT' movement.
Fun fact: ETA 2893 based GMTs (the 'Office GMT' kind) and Worldtimers are virtually identical movements; one has an 24-hour adjustable hand, the other a rotating disc.
GMTs are arguably amongst the most popular complications.
Any of you owners / fans of the world-timer complication? And if so, which Worldfinder watch model is your favourite?
A watch addict who also happens to be a photography enthusiast. I also enjoy crafting simple watch-related infographics from time to time. You can find all my content on my IG page.
I want to throw out a mention of 12 hour bezels. I have a couple and they have become my preferred travel watches - I find them much quicker to read the 2nd time zone than a GMT
I want to throw out a mention of 12 hour bezels. I have a couple and they have become my preferred travel watches - I find them much quicker to read the 2nd time zone than a GMT
Nice! It is nice to meet a Duality owner - I actually came close to buying the white one! Good to see a fellow Nodus-owner here.
Actually you have a strong point on the 12 hour bezel. I'm guilty as a watch addict that I have a watch with that function too - i.e. the Serica 5303. Oh the methods to my madness....
I don't know about the worldtimer disk on the Farer (I'd have to try it, but suspect it's similar to the Sinn 856 UTC I prefer), but wow, that dial! And I thought Grand Seiko was know for nice dials... Nice staging for the photo, BTW!
I don't know about the worldtimer disk on the Farer (I'd have to try it, but suspect it's similar to the Sinn 856 UTC I prefer), but wow, that dial! And I thought Grand Seiko was know for nice dials... Nice staging for the photo, BTW!
Farer is largely under-rated when it comes to the effort they put their dials, and they are usually very bold with the colours too. I can't think of another brand hat has put blue / yellow / red on a dial and done so in a way that doesn't come across as comical. It isn't for everyone though!
PS: Thanks for the kind words on the photo!
Love both but wow the Farer really pops! very cool picture :) thanks for sharing!
Ferrero Rocher, sorry I mean Farer Roche owner here😉.
IMO Farer did well with a modestly sized World Timer. There just aren’t that many sub-40 world timers out there (if you want that complication). The Patek one is ever so slightly out of reach for me…💷💷💷
The Aldrich was originally my first choice but I was a bit concerned about legibility - having seen your photo, I needn’t have been - looks lovely
Same here- I have the Farer Roche. Love it for when I have to track colleagues in the work week and sync timezones for calls. I traveled with it recently, and I have to say don't like it as a travel watch however. Personal preference while traveling, honestly, is just a 12 hr bezel.
Same here- I have the Farer Roche. Love it for when I have to track colleagues in the work week and sync timezones for calls. I traveled with it recently, and I have to say don't like it as a travel watch however. Personal preference while traveling, honestly, is just a 12 hr bezel.
You make a good point about global timezone tracking - makes the Office Worldtimer nickname stick even more.
PS: I have to say I considered the Roche and Aldrich on launch day before leaning to the latter. There are days where I wonder if I would have enjoyed the Roche more if I had leaned the other way. LOL. The perils of watch addiction! Wear yours well.
You make a good point about global timezone tracking - makes the Office Worldtimer nickname stick even more.
PS: I have to say I considered the Roche and Aldrich on launch day before leaning to the latter. There are days where I wonder if I would have enjoyed the Roche more if I had leaned the other way. LOL. The perils of watch addiction! Wear yours well.
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in the words of the mavern, Tim Mosso; You sir, are a man after my own heart! 😂
My humble offering, it’s my holiday watch, and it gets more comments than most other watches I wear.
My humble offering, it’s my holiday watch, and it gets more comments than most other watches I wear.
Now that's a proper tool watch! Wear it well and in good health!
I'm lucky enough to gave a GMT and a world timer (GMT hand on the Montblanc hidden under the hour hand). Personally I think the world timer is more useful as it is more visual and I don't lose date quickset.
A great photo and that Farer dial really pops. But for me it's the GS every time. Love the understated nature of this brand and attention to detail. Two fine pieces for sure though!