From luxury travel accessories to a great travel sweater, there are a few small things that can make frequent flying just that much easier for the international jet setter – and a great world time watch is one of them. A top sailing watch or classic black-tie timepiece may be ideal for special occasions but, if you’re trying to juggle family, business and vacation all at once, it can help to know the local time, well, everywhere. Here’s our pick of the best men’s world time watches to buy now.
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Geographic WT
Jaeger-LeCoultre's Polaris collection was unveiled at SIHH 2018 and the new Polaris Geographic WT marks the first addition to the original line up. Created as a 250-piece limited edition, the design is inspired by the house's classic 1968 Memovox Polaris and features a 42mm case housing a calibre 936A/1 self-winding movement. This movement introduces a geographic function to the collection which allows the wearer to view 24 time zones with daylight saving indicators along with displays for calendars, second time zones and power reserve.
Case: Steel, 42mm
Strap: Alligator
Movement: Calibre 936A/1 self-winding
Waterproof: 100 metres
Limited edition: 250
Price: POA, jaeger-lecoultre.com
Vacheron Constantin Traditionelle World Time
The latest addition to Vacheron Constantin's popular Traditionelle range, the World Time features a beautiful three-part dial enamelled with a miniature gold map of the world and capable of showing 37 time zones. This 10-piece limited edition is an upgrade to the original model which was first unveiled in 2011 and showcases both Vacheron's exceptional technical expertise and its mastery of artistic craftsmanship.
Case: Platinum, 42.5mm
Strap: Alligator leather
Movement: Calibre 2460 WT self-winding
Waterproof: 30 metres
Limited edition: 10
Price: CHF103,652, vacheronconstantin.com
Graff MasterGraff Grand Date Dual Time Tourbillon
In an industry first, this combines a flying tourbillon with the complications of a dual time function and a “grand date” – all contained within a platinum case measuring just 9.5mm in thickness and 43mm in diameter. The date is neatly positioned below the 12 o’clock position with the second time zone dial beside it for easy readability.
Case: Platinum and diamond, 43mm
Strap: Crocodile
Movement: Graff Calibre 5 Manual
Price: POA, graffdiamonds.com
Breguet Classique Hora Mundi 5717
The first mechanical timepiece to offer an instant-jump time zone display, the Breguet Classique Hora Mundi is ideal for those who split their time between two countries or cities. From 24 available time zones, the wearer preselects two ‘home’ zones and can jump between them at the touch of a button. The dial also features a date window, day/night subdial, and city/time zone indicator and is available with depictions of the Americas, Europe and Africa or Asia and Oceania.
Case: Platinum or 18k gold, 43mm
Strap: Leather
Movement: 5727 self-winding mechanical
Waterproof: 30 metres
Price: From $75,100, breguet.com
Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime Blue
Louis Vuitton’s newest worldtimer caused quite the stir when it was unveiled thanks to its innovative and colourful hand-painted dial. Eschewing the traditional minute and hour hands, the Escale Worldtime Blue instead employs three moving rings showing the minutes, hours and cities allowing the wearer to instantly see the time in 24 different time zones without needing to reset his watch. It's even waterproof too.
Case: White gold and titanium, 41mm
Strap: Alligator
Movement: Calibre LV106 automatic
Waterproof: 30 metres
Price: £43,500, louisvuitton.com