The origin of the world time replica watch dates back to the end of the 19th century. At the International Meridian Conference held in Washington, USA in 1884, Canadian engineer and inventor Sir Sanford Fleming formally proposed to divide the world into 24 time zones, each with a difference of one hour. In the history of Patek Philippe, from This great invention can be seen from pocket watches to wristwatches. What is even more exciting for watch fans is the Ref. 2523 “L’Heure Bleue”, which set the highest transaction record for watches in Asian auctions, at the Hong Kong Christie’s auction at the end of November last year for HK$70.17 million, showing the Patek Philippe World Time watch. charm.
Ref. 1415-1 HU Louis Cordial World Time Chronograph made by Patek Philippe in the 1940s.
The relationship between Patek Philippe and the world time zone mechanism began in the 1930s. At that time, Patek Philippe cooperated with Geneva watchmaker Louis Cottier to develop the miniaturized world time zone mechanism Heure Universelle, which was patented in 1959.
In this design, the hour and minute hands in the center of the dial indicate the local time, and the names of cities representing different time zones in the world are displayed on the bezel or on the outer edge of the dial, and the 24-hour ring on the periphery of the center dial corresponds to different city times.
Patek Philippe stopped producing world time zone watches in the 1960s. After a long period of silence, the world time watch Ref. 5110 was launched again in the millennium, and it was equipped with a 240 automatic winding movement with a miniature automatic disc; it was in the process of converting the world time zone. Patek Philippe also applied for a patent for this, which will not affect the minute hand. The watch displays the world time in cities in 24 time zones, plus the design of the 24-hour day and night ring, roughly becoming the main appearance of today’s world time zone watches.
The Ref.5230G-001 world time watch, launched in 2016, is embellished with a gray machine engraved and engraved on the dial.
In 2006, replica Patek Philippe launched Ref.5130, increasing the diameter of the watch from 37 mm to 39.5 mm, and the hour hand adopts a ring shape, similar to the style of the first world time watch Ref.515 launched in the 1930s; plus a machine in the center of the dial. Carved flowers are even more antique.
In addition, Patek Philippe has also combined the world time zone with other complex features in recent years. For example, the Ref.5930G launched in 2016 added timekeeping performance. The Ref.5531R that was unveiled last year added charm to the world time zone with the melodious minute repeater.
In 2017, the Ref.5131/1P-001 watch with a platinum case was launched. You can appreciate the world map from the perspective of the North Pole. Ref.5231J is the only world time watch in cloisonné enamel that continues to be produced in the world.
Of course, in addition to showing the strength of watchmaking, craftsmanship is also an important factor for Patek Philippe to establish a lofty reputation in the watch world. In addition to the machine-engraved carvings mentioned above, Patek Philippe launched the Ref.5131 series combined with Cloisonné in 2008, using this ancient and beautiful craft to present the map on the dial.
The craftsmen in the workshop use gold wire to outline the pattern frame and fill in the enamel paint; each layer applied has to be fired at a high temperature of hundreds of degrees, and then a new layer of enamel is applied. After many accumulations, it can produce Rich, bright and full color. As long as you are slightly careless in the process, you have to start again. The former technique is a very test of the craftsman’s skill and concentration.
Patek Philippe Ref.5231J world time watch 18K gold case, diameter 38.5 mm, cloisonné enamel dial, hour, minute, world time, 24 o’clock day and night display, 240 HU automatic winding movement, power reserve 48 hours, Patek Philippe seal, sapphire crystal glass mirror and bottom, water resistance 30 meters, alligator leather strap.
Patek Philippe’s cloisonné enamel world time watch started from the earliest Ref.5131J-001 (discontinued in 2013), Ref.5131G-001 in 2009 (discontinued in 2015), and Ref.5131R-001 in 2015 (discontinued in 2016), And the platinum model Ref.5131/1P-001, which was launched two years ago, is basically not adjusted much. As for the 5231J that Baselworld unveiled this year, many details have changed.
Ref.5231J uses a golden frame and enamel to draw the three continents of Europe, Africa and America, showing outstanding craftsmanship.
Ref.5231J has flying wing lugs and a diamond-shaped minute hand. It looks like a fusion of the previous generation world time zone Ref.5131 and the 2016 Ref.5230. The diameter of the 38.5mm watch is slightly smaller than the previous generation of 39.5mm, and the Patek Philippe at 12 o’clock on the case and the word Geneva engraved at 6 o’clock are removed.
The time zone ring is to change Hong Kong to Beijing, and it is also changed again after 2016 Ref.5230 replaced Riyadh with Dubai, Brisbane replaced Noumea, and Moscow’s UTC+4 changed from UTC+3 to UTC+3. World city and time zone configuration.
Press the button at 10 o’clock to rotate the world time zone ring.
Different from another Ref.5131/1P-001 which is still in continuous production, the world map is viewed from the perspective of the Arctic. Ref.5231J uses a golden frame and enamel to draw the three continents of Europe, Africa and the Americas. It is bright and full. The gradual colors vividly depict the land, mountains, and sea.
The 24-hour ring uses white and black to display the day and night, and the sun and the moon represent 12 noon and 12 midnight, which is quite intuitive to read. Ref.5231J is equipped with 240 HU self-winding movement and combined with the patented Heure Universelle world time zone module. As long as you press the button at 10 o’clock, you can turn the world time zone ring and present your city at 12 o’clock. Position, and use the red triangle arrow below to indicate the current time.
Ref.5231J is equipped with 240 HU self-winding movement, with 22K gold miniature automatic disc, decorated with Côtes de Genève, which is quite beautiful.
The perspective bottom can appreciate the exquisite chamfering and polishing of the movement parts; the Calatrava cross on the 22K gold miniature automatic disc symbolizes Patek Philippe’s brilliant achievements in watchmaking. Coupled with the patented Spiromax® silicon balance spring and the Patek Philippe imprint on the board, it continues to keep pace with the times while continuing the classic world time zone performance.