Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time
Vacheron Constantin had an extremely successful SIHH 2011, one which allowed the world's oldest watch manufacture to fill up their order books and look forward to an extremely productive year. Two new in-house Calibres were unveiled, one of which powers the unique Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time model. The piece displays all of the world's time zones, 37 instead of the usual 24, and is therefore the first to include all those cities with 1/2 and 1/4 hour off-sets. The result is a piece with a busy yet beautiful dial, a superb study of world time.
At the centre of the dial is a sapphire dial which rotates with the hands and is shaded to represent day and night around the globe, beneath this is a metal dial with a global map displaying the names of 37 cities, black for full time zone, red for fractional off-set time zones. Rotating around this two-part centre is a metal chapter ring with applied gold hour markers.
If it sounds complex that's because it is. It took the Master Watchmakers at Vacheron Constantin three years to perfect the time module and incorporate it into their Calibre 2460 thus producing the Calibre 2460WT. To account for the fractional time zones the minute hand is linked to the time zone disc, whereas other time zone watches only require the hour hand to be linked to the time zone disc. Their efforts ensure ease of use for the wearer, all indications are adjusted using the crown. The reference time is lined up with the black triangle at the 6 o'clock position and can be read using the hour hand or the 24 hour disc, all other time zones can be read simultaneously. Wear this piece and you will never phone at an unreasonable hour no matter where you or they might be, no excuse.
The Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionnelle World Time measures 42.5mm across and has a power reserve of 40 hours. The piece will be initially only be available with an 18 carat rose gold watchcase with other versions to follow.