The Patek Philippe world time watch synchronizes date and time zone

Jet Setters: If you’re crossing the dateline or just traveling overnight, you can now reset the time and date on your wrist with a single press of a button.

While other world time watches with a date function require you to set the time and date manually, the new Patek Philippe World Time Ref. 5330G-001 automatically synchronizes the date with your new time zone and cleverly advances the calendar at midnight.

If you cross the international date line from west to east, you can also turn the calendar back by one day.

The new timepiece and its patented technology were first presented in 2023 at Patek Philippe’s major “Watch Art” exhibition in Tokyo.

While the limited edition featured a purple dial and matching purple strap, the new blue-grey 2024 version – now available worldwide – offers a more casual vibe thanks to its denim-look strap.

The date display is located on a beveled edge on the edge of the dial. A handcrafted red tip made of transparent glass, another first for the brand, indicates the date. The city disc and the 24-hour disc (divided into day and night zones) lie directly within the date ring. When a traveler selects their new time zone – displayed at the 12 o’clock position – the hour and minute hands indicate the local time.

This new generation world time watch is the culmination of almost 100 years of travel innovation from the Swiss brand. Patek Philippe began producing world time watches following the advent of transatlantic flights in the 1930s, when aviation enabled rapid travel across multiple time zones in a single day.

An essential tool for new globetrotters, Patek Philippe watches made it possible to see all of the world’s 24 time zones at a glance. Since then, the company has continuously worked to perfect its travel innovations.

The current world time offering now includes six pieces, including a flyback chronograph.

The sporty, informal appearance of this latest reference belies its mechanical complexity. There’s a woven carbon fiber motif at the center of the watch’s opaline dial, and the calfskin strap is embossed to evoke blue jeans. The 40mm 18k white gold watch features a sapphire crystal caseback, allowing a full view of the fully polished automatic movement.

This makes it easy to see why you might spontaneously want to go on a date with someone.