Patek Philippe

The introduction of the world time complication by Louis Cottier in 1931 brought about a major horological advancement to add to the growing world of travel watches. The complication featured 24 different time zones, each represented by a city. Patek Philippe’s first world time wristwatch, the reference 1415, came in 1939, and remained in production until 1954. Meanwhile, a few models over that period began incorporating cloisonné enamel decorations on the central disc. Finally, after a long hiatus of more than three decades, Patek revived their World Time watches, breathing new life into the rotating discs and enamel artwork which had become an icon of a previous age of watchmaking. With the reference 5531 World Time Minute Repeater, Patek was reinvigorating the World Time complication as a modern adaptation. To retain their sense of tradition and heritage, the 5531 features a series of enamel decorations depicting views of different locations around the world. 

One of the main challenges for Patek Philippe’s watchmakers was to create a watch chiming local time, so with the introduction of the 5531 came an hour snail gear constantly driven by the world time mechanism, as when the city disc was changed, the hour snail would jump in one-hour steps to adjust. The centre of the dial features a grand feu enamel artwork depicting the Lavaux vineyard terraces on Lake Geneva, accompanying Patek’s highly complex craftsmanship with captivating embellishments that embody the travelling spirit of Cottier’s invention. 

Upon using the slide to activate the minute repeater, the watch releases a gentle tune that delicately chimes home time set for the watch. This present World Time Minute Repeater carries a timeless beauty and delicacy to be appreciated by all collectors, in the form of sound and charming visibility. A glimmering design achieved by enamel dial artwork and pink gold case truly meet the illustrious reputation of Patek Philippe, for their history of iconic innovations for elegant timepieces.