8 Best World Time Watches at European Watch Company

Everyone knows what a GMT or dual-time watch is. So what exactly is a World Timer? Well, a world time watch will typically allow the wearer to tell the time across many time zones, usually 24, simultaneously. When you change the city on the outer ring of the world time, the watch will automatically display the correct time. Pretty convenient for those frequent travelers. In this guide, we compiled a list of our favorite 8 world time watches that we have seen here at European Watch Company.

Patek Philippe 175th Anniversary World Time Moonphase Ref. 5575G-001

Price: $120,000-$130,000, Case Size: 40mm, Thickness: 10.2mm, Lug-to-Lug: 45mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: White Gold

When you think of the world time complication, you probably think of Patek Philippe. While the world time was invented by Louis Cottier in 1931, Patek Philippe was the first brand to put the complication in a wristwatch, first doing so in 1937. And ever since, the complication has been a mainstay in Patek’s collection. One of our favorite pieces is the Ref. 5575G-001. Released in 2014 to commemorate the 175th anniversary of Patek Philippe, the watch features a white gold case, world time display and moonphase. It’s truly a work of art, and actually very wearable at just 40mm in diameter.

Read our full review of the Patek Philippe 175th Anniversary World Time Moonphase Ref. 5575G-001 here.

Patek Philippe World Time Enamel Ref. 5231G-001

Price: $98,000-$102,000, Case Size: 38.5mm, Thickness: 10.23mm, Lug-to-Lug: N.A., Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: White Gold

If you are looking for a truly unique world timer from Patek, the 5231G-001 is a great choice. What makes this white gold piece so special is not actually the world time complication. Instead, it’s the Grand Feu cloisonné enamel map of Oceania and South-East Asia (which, yes, is hand done). Because of this, every piece will be unique, giving each watch its own character.

Patek Philippe World Time Chronograph Ref. 5935A-001

Price: $60,000-$64,000, Case Size: 41mm, Thickness: 12.75mm, Lug-to-Lug: 49.7mm, Lug Width: 21mm, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

When first released in 2022 the Ref. 5935A-001 was the first variation of the 5935 to be offered in a stainless steel case. And that made it very enticing to collectors. Not only does this world timer track 24 time zones, but it is paired with a chronograph as well. And to top it off, the salmon dial with checkerboard pattern in the center is simply stunning. If you want a world time, but don’t want to splurge for a precious metal timepiece, this 5935A-001 might be for you.

Check out our review of the Philippe 5935A World Time Chronograph.

A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Time Zone Ref. 136.029

Price: $40,000-$45,000, Case Size: 42mm, Thickness: 10.9mm, Lug-to-Lug: 50mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Manual Winding, Material: White Gold

If you are looking for at a world timer that operates simultaneously as a dual time, check out the A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Time Zone Ref. 136.029. While the larger subdial acts as one time zone, a smaller subdial displays the second time zone. A third, red hand within the subdial points to the city it’s displaying the time for, making it easy to cycle through time zones and figure out the time pretty much anywhere in the world.

Read our full review of the A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Time Zone Ref. 136.029 here.

Bulgari Octo Roma WorldTimer Ref. 103481

Price: $7,000-$8,000, Case Size: 41mm, Thickness: 11.7mm, Lug-to-Lug: 45.5mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Water Resistance: 100M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

The Octo Finissimo and Octo Roma have breathed new life into Bulgari’s watchmaking department. And Bulgari has used both collections as platforms for new timepieces and complications. And the Octo Roma Worldtimer Ref. 103481 is just one example of this. The 103481 is very clean worldtimer. The central time display has both 12 and 24 hour rings, and along the outside of the dial are the 24 different time zones. The black sandblasted stainless steel case, black dial, and white text gives this watch a very sleek look. A great option for the collector looking for a more reasonably price world time.

Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time Ref. 86060/000R-9640

Price: $28,000-$30,000, Case Size: 42.5mm, Thickness: 12mm, Lug-to-Lug: 45.5mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Water Resistance: 30M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Rose Gold

If you are looking for a traditional world time in the vein of the Patek 5231G-001, but at a fraction of the price, the Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time Ref. 86060/000R-9640 would be my choice. The center of the dial features a top-down depiction of the globe, similar to that of the Patek. However, instead of the typical 24 time-zones, this Vacheron features a whopping 37 time zones. So, if you’re a real jetsetter, maybe this is the watch for oyu.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time Ref. 7700V/110A-B172

Price: $27,000-$29,000, Case Size: 43.5mm, Thickness: 12.6mm, Lug-to-Lug: 50.9mm, Lug Width: N.A., Water Resistance: 150M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

Up until now, most of the world times we have featured have been pretty traditional in design. If you are looking for an integrated bracelet sport watch that also has a world time, the Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time Ref. 7700V/110A-B172 is a great watch. With the Overseas World Time you get the integrated bracelet and Maltese Cross bezel. However, to accommodate the world time complication, the watch is a fairly large 43.5mm in diameter. Regardless, if you want a sportier world time option, the Ref. 7700V/110A-B172 ticks all the boxes.

IWC Pilots Watch Timezoner Chronograph Ref. IW395001

Price: $8,000-$10,000, Case Size: 46mm, Thickness: 17mm, Lug-to-Lug: 55mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Water Resistance: 60M, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Winding, Material: Stainless Steel

A pilot’s watch with a world time complication. Makes a ton of sense right? Well, the IWC Ref. IW395001 not only has a world time complication, but also a chronograph. Ingeniously, the 24 time zones are located on the bezel. When the wearer turns the bezel, the hands also move to the correct time position. This results in a practical and easy to use world time. You don’t need to be a pilot to get use out of it.