Introduced in 2016, the Patek Philippe World Time ref. 5131R-011 features one of the firm’s most prize possession, the cloisonné enamel dial depicting various continents of the world map. World Time watches were invented, as is the case with most innovations, out of necessity. With the advent of the industrial age came the means necessary to facilitate global trade and travel and, as a direct result, there was a need for timekeeping devices capable of tracking time in multiple locations. The world time complication, other than being a useful one, is also a window into history. With the rise and fall of nation’s one capital replaced another as reference city for a specific time zone.

Originally developed and innovated by Louis Cottier in the early 1930s, the movement features local time with hour and minute hands at center, linked to a rotating 24-hour ring which is bordered by a fixed outer dial ring with the names of different cities inscribed on it. The city of choice (local time zone) was placed at the 12 o'clock position with the hours/minutes hand set at local time, the watch would then display the correct time in both hours and minutes, night and day, for every time zone in the world simultaneously, all the while allowing easy and accurate reading of local time, and all on a single dial. Extremely practical and easy to operate Patek Philippe still uses the same mechanism for their World Time watches today via the cal. 240 HU.

Featuring a cloisonné enamel dial depicting the continents Asia and The Americas, the craftsmanship and process to create these mesmerizing dials are tedious and extremely delicate. With only not more than a handful of skilled artisans who can execute the artistry, it is estimated that only 30 to 40 enamel dials can be produced in a year.

Fresh to the market and consigned by the original owner, the present Patek Philippe ref. 5131R-011 from circa 2017 is offered in “like new” overall condition and is further complete with its full set of accessories.