Watches and Wonders 2024: Patek Philippe Reveals Ref. 5330G-001 World Time Date Watch
Patek Philippe has unveiled the first non-limited World Time watch with a date display that automatically synchronises with local time. Discover the rest of our Watches and Wonder 2024 coverage.
The new generation of the Patek Philippe World Time watch has arrived with a patented world-first feat: a date display indexed to local time. If that sounds familiar, it’s because it technically debuted as a limited edition of 300 pieces at the Patek Philippe’s “Watch Art” Grand Exhibition in Tokyo last year. Now, Reference 5330 will be joining the regular production, notably distinguishable by its blue-grey opaline dial with a carbon motif, and matching denim-adorned calfskin strap.
Unlike usual world-time watches armed with a date indicator, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5330G-001 does not require the traveller to make any corrections. The date display is mechanically synchronised with the local time (the time zone selected at 12 o’clock on the city disk and indicated by the centre hands). Two scenarios will automatically effect the change in date: when midnight strikes or when crossing the International Date Line (indicated by the red dot between Auckland and Midway on the city disk) from west to east. A single transparent red-tipped central glass hand – a first at Patek Philippe – seamlessly points and follows along the 1 to 31 at the dial’s silvery bevelled flange to mark the date.
Meanwhile, the 24-hour disk is subdivided into day and night zones. The former sports a small gilt sun on a silvery background while the latter showcases a gilt crescent moon on a blue-grey canvas. For an idea of the selected local time zone, watch for the faceted Dauphine-type hands and applied faceted baton-type hour-markers. Both are given the white gold treatment with white luminescent coating.
Behind the dial, the sapphire-crystal back proudly displays the architecture of the new caliber 240 HU C, the self-winding movement responsible for the reference’s complex yet practical function. Based on the caliber 240 HU ultra-thin self-winding movement at the core of every Patek Philippe World Time watches since 2000, the addition of the new mechanism only made it merely 0.7mm thicker. As such, the Patek Philippe Ref. 5330G-001 retains a slender case and astoundingly comprises 70 components for the entire mechanism.
While a patented central differential system featuring two concentric star-type gear wheels is responsible for the local-time date, the innovative movement also allows simultaneous adjustments of all the World Time displays – including the city disk, the 24-hour disk, centre hour hand and, if applicable, the date – in one-hour increments. A simple press at the pusher located at the 10 o’clock position is all it takes.
The other things to note is the 38 to 48 hours of power reserve, with a 21,600 vph and water resistance of up to 30m. An entirely polished 40-mm white gold case, its curved two-tier fluted lugs and a white gold foldover clasp complete the design of the stunning Patek Philippe Ref. 5330G-001, along with a movement that embodies the manufacture’s creative policy of placing the wearer first.
