Patek Philippe World Time Cloisonné

The Jet Age shrunk the world.

The advent of transcontinental and transatlantic jet travel made it possible for a person to sip an espresso in the Bar Della Pace in the morning and still make an 8:00 reservation at Lutèce that same evening. Nearly a hundred years earlier, to meet the demands prompted by the establishment of railway time in the 1860s, watchmakers such as Hamilton and Elgin developed railroad pocket chronometers that included a third hand to indicate an additional timezone. This set the framework of what was to come.

In the 1930s and 1940s, manufacturers such as Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe produced “world time” pocket watches using a special dial layout designed by Louis Cottier that showed the time across the globe’s different time zones simultaneously. In the 1950s, the advent (and immediacy) of jet travel — and the frequency at which transatlantic and transcontinental flights occurred — made it necessary for travelers to have a wristwatch that could display multiple time zones at once.

The Patek Philippe Reference 5131R is a modern reimagining of just such a watch. Rendered here in rose gold, it features a classical complication executed in stunning fidelity given its large, 39.5mm case size: On the dial, an inner sector depicts the Americas, Asia, and Australia in breathtaking cloisonné enamel, outside of which sits a bi-color, blue (night) and silver (day) 24-hour ring.

Beyond this adjustable ring is a silvered city ring — a feature familiar to devotees of classic world time complications. Using this 24-city outer ring and the inner rotating 24-hour ring — all of which is controlled by the 10 o’clock pusher — the wearer can track the time around the world from their present location.

Through the watch’s sapphire display back, it’s possible to view the incredible workmanship on the in-house Patek Philippe Calibre 240 HU automatic movement. Fitted to a brand-new signed brown alligator leather strap with an 18k rose gold deployant clasp, this stunning piece includes its inner and outer box set, leather folio, and certificate of origin dated to 2017.

There’s a traveler’s watch, and then there’s the traveler’s watch — this is the latter.

Founded in 1839, Patek Philippe is one of the oldest watch manufacturers in the world with an uninterrupted watchmaking history. Few international luxury brands carry the gravitas of their name, and for good reason. The firm's commitment to excellence in horological manufacture is unflinching, and their track record of innovation in design without peer. They continue to lead the industry, and even their fiercest competitors have nothing but the utmost respect for the company.

From the simple elegance of their Calatrava line to the stunning study in miniaturization that is reference 1518 perpetual calendar to the modern reference 5750P chiming watch, Patek’s catalog is chock full of some of the most elegant and complicated timepieces ever made. Family-owned and completely independent, the firm has the freedom to do what it wants — such as discontinue one of the world’s most beloved steel luxury sport watches, the reference 5711 — when it wants.

Owning a Patek Philippe is for many the ultimate goal of timepiece collecting, and for a certain type, the only timepieces they collect. Whichever way you look at it, there is no questioning the elegance of design, superlative manufacture of their cases and movements, or the sheer elegance and emotion that comes from owning one.

Of course for a brand that is steeped in heritage, we are told “You never actually own a Patek Philippe…”

Well, you know the rest.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.