The Traditionnelle World Time by Vacheron Constantin highlight a complication inextricably bound to the history of the Geneva-based manufacturer: world time. The latter is also interwoven with the theme of travel, since Jean-Marc Vacheron and his successors have constantly circled the globe delivering their exceptional timepieces.
In the heart of the case, beat the Calibre 2460 WT, developed and manufactured by Vacheron Constantin. This patented mechanical self-winding movement is distinguished by its capacity to indicate 37 world’s time zones, including those offset from Universal Coordinated Time (UCT) by a half - or quarter- hour.
The indication of the 37 time zones as proposed by the Maison in its Traditionnelle World Time is as complete as one could wish for. The display consists of three dials: a sapphire dial with a day-night shading and the engraved and inked 24-hour indications; a metal dial with painted cities names and a “Lambert projector” type gold map unveiling sun-brushed continents as well as sand-blasted seas; and a metal external ring with painted minute-track and applied gold hour-markers. Beating at a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and endowed with a 40-hour power reserve, mechanical self-winding Calibre 2460 WT drives displays of the hours, minutes, center seconds and world time. It enables simultaneous read-off of the time in all regions of the world, along with the day-night indication provided above the central world map crafted in gold. All indications are adjusted via the crown, thus considerably simplifying the use of this highly technical watch. In light of these exclusive developments, the Vacheron Constantin Calibre 2460 WT – bearing the prestigious Hallmark of Geneva – own a patent featuring the indication of all the world’s 37 zone increments, the day-night indication and the setting of all functions by the crown.
Despite its complex construction principles, the mechanical world time movement is extremely user- friendly. The wearer chooses the reference time and places it opposite the black triangle at 6 o’clock. The time in the reference location can then be read off either by the hour hand, or by the 24-hour disc, while the time in the other 36 time zones is simultaneously readable. The cities shown in black represent the full time zones, while the cities in red indicate half-hour or quarter-hour zones.
Incorporating all the signature characteristics of the collection – a slender bezel, a knurled motif on the back of the timepiece, a sapphire crystal caseback closed with screws, and dauphine-shaped hands – the Traditionnelle World Time comes with a 42.5 mm diameter 18K white gold or 18K 5N pink gold case that is fitted with a Mississippiensis alligator leather strap secured by a gold folding clasp.
