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Multiple Time Zone Watches

time zone
noun

Any of the 24 longitudinal divisions of the Earth's surface in which a standard time is kept.  The primary division is that which is bisected by the Greenwich meridian.  Each time zone is 15° of longitude, in width, with local variations and observes a clock time one hour earlier than the time zone to its' immediate east.

There are a number of things to consider, when shopping for a Dual Time Zone Watch or Multiple Time Zone Watch:

1. Are you looking primarily for Legibility?  There are various ways to display additional time zones.  Some are easier to read than others and can display multiple time zones at once.  While others can only display only one 2^nd time zone at a time.
    

2. Are you looking primarily for Cosmetic Appeal?  Some dual or multiple time zone watches’ primary function is appeal, versus legibility.  Because of the cosmetics of the timepiece, it may hinder the at-a-glace readability.
    

3. Do you need a total of 2 time zones or do you need 3 or more time zones?
    

4. Will you be referencing the 2nd time zone at home or when you travel to that time zone?

Listed below are some variations of Dual Time Zone Watches and Multiple Time Zone Watches:

·       Two, equally-proportioned 12-Hour Recorders

This dual time zone watch is absolutely, the easiest to read (at-a-glance) of all the dual time zone complications.  The dials are usually located side-by-side or one above the other.  The Swiss Army Alliance Traveller (model 24111) is a perfect example of this.  There is one dial for your “Home” setting and one dial for your “Destination” (or “Loved One”) setting.

·        A 24-Hour Scale, affixed to a Bezel

These timepieces utilize a 24-hour GMT hand, in conjunction with a bidirectional rotating bezel that serves as a second time zone.  The advantage of this is, not having to reset the 24-hour hand for the 2^nd time zone.  This is a convenient feature for checking a time zone for which you know the offset.  How this works is pretty straight forward: A 2^nd hour hand (the 24-hour GMT hand) rotates once per 24 hrs, pointing to a large 24-hour scale affixed to the bezel (which could be unidirectional, bidirectional or fixed).  To set the 2nd time zone; either rotate the GMT hand or rotate the bezel.  The advantage of a rotating bezel is the ability to set to a second (or third) time zone, without resetting the GMT hand.  This works (for example) by turning the "6", on the 24-hour bezel, to the top (12 o'clock position), allowing the 24-hour hand (assuming it is set to your “Home” time) to indicate the time in a time zone 6 hours away.  A very good example of this timepiece would be the Omega Seamaster 300 M GMT.

·        A 2nd Scale (Digital or Linear) for reading a Second Time Zone

Because a large 24-hour bezel and GMT hand is not necessary in this complication; the readability is greatly increased and the timepiece can have more added features or a more cosmetic approach can be taken.  The Linear display usually consists of a round, 24-hour dial, located underneath the watch face, visible through an aperture.  The Digital display is usually located just above the 6 o’clock indicator and below the dial axis.  Some of these complications enable the wearer to change the destination time, while traveling through other time zones, without stopping their “Home” time.  An example of this Digital variation is the Swiss Army ST 4000 Chrono, with Date, 2nd Time Zone, Chronograph, Altimeter, Barometer and Thermometer functions.

·        A 2nd Hour Hand (GMT Hand) for reading a 2nd or Third Time Zone

When shopping for an uncluttered, single-dial, dual time zone watch, be sure to look for one with a 24-hour indicator or day / night indicator somewhere on the watch face.  The reason for this is the distinction between night and day.  If the timepiece has a 24-hour bezel, you could use the GMT hand (usually in red or another color, different from the main hour and minute hands) to indicate a third time zone.  The Breitling Colt GMT is a perfect example of this complication.

·        A Single Sub Dial, displaying a Second Time Zone

These are some of the easier to read dual 12-hour complications.  Again, the draw-back to these timepieces is the distinction between night and day.  The Jaeger-LeCoultre Men’s Reverso Grand Reserve is a prime example of this complication.  A polished steel case, set inside a slightly larger carriage, rotates 180 degrees to reveal a polished steel case back, with a jump digital power reserve window.  Also, for women, the Jacob & Co. Angel (model JC-A11) is an excellent choice.  The Angel series are available in a vast array of colors.

·        Multiple Sub Dials, Depicting (up to) Four Other Time Zones

These timepieces have a normal, analog, center dial, with four other 12-Hour time zones located around its’ center dial.  They are also known as “5 or Five Time Zone Watches” or "3 or Three Time Zone Watches".  The other sub dials are sometimes marked with the name of a major world-wide city, such as; New York, Paris, L.A., and Tokyo.  The most famous (and often-duplicated) of these watches is Jacob & Co.; available in Full Size 47mm, Mid Size 40mm, Chronograph, Dual Time Zone, Tourbillon, Automatic, World GMT, Pocket Watch, Three Time Zone, Five Time Zone and Six Time Zone, these timepieces are among the most sought-after on the market today.  An excellent example of this complication is Jacob & Co.’s Capri Three Time Zone Watch (model C-24) or the JC7-S Five Time Zone Watch.

·        Multiple Sub Dials, Depicting (up to) Five Other Time Zones

These have a normal, analog, center dial, with five other time zones located around its’ center dial.  They are also known as “6 Time Zone Watches” or “Six Time Zone Watches”.  The other sub dials are sometimes marked with the name of a major world-wide city, such as; New York, Paris, L.A., Tokyo and H.K.  The most famous (and often-duplicated) of these watches is Jacob & Co.; available in Full Size 47mm, Mid Size 40mm, Chronograph, Dual Time Zone, Tourbillon, Automatic, World GMT, Pocket Watch, Three Time Zone, Five Time Zone and Six Time Zone, these timepieces are among the most sought-after on the market today.  An excellent example of this complication is Jacob & Co.’s All Diamond Six Time Zone Watch & Pocket Watch combo.  On one side of this beautiful timepiece is a five time zone watch, on the other side is a 12-hour indicator and this wrist watch can be converted into a pocket watch.

·        Multiple Sub Dials, Depicting (up to) Four Other Time Zones, with 24-Hour Sub Dials located in each

These have a normal, analog, center dial, with four other sub dials located around its’ center dial.  They are also known as “GMT Watches”.  The other sub dials are normally marked with the names of major world-wide cities.  Each of the four sub dials has its own 24-hour scale.  Set inside this 24-hour scale, is a recorder labeled with eight world-wide cities and a pointer, to indicate where on the 24-hour scale each is.  The most famous (and often-duplicated) of these watches is Jacob & Co.; available in Full Size 47mm, Mid Size 40mm, Chronograph, Dual Time Zone, Tourbillon, Automatic, World GMT, Pocket Watch, Three Time Zone, Five Time Zone and Six Time Zone, these timepieces are among the most sought-after on the market today.  An excellent example of this complication is Jacob & Co.’s World GMT (model GMT-3SS).

·        A Single Dial depicting Global Cities, usually located just inside the Bezel, used in conjunction with a 24-Hour Scale or a Second 12-Hour Recorder

Typically, 24-hour bezels require the wearer to rotate the bezel to set a second or third time zone… not so, with the Patek Philippe 5110 J.  The inner ring indicates the 24 hours (am and pm).  The outer ring shows the names of cities that represent each of the 24 time zones.  Together, these rings allow simultaneous reading of the current time, in any time zone.  The current hour for each respective time zone is indicated by the numbers (1 through 24), opposite the name of the city which is representative of the time zone.  Another fine example of this complication is the Zodiac ZO7000.

*****Daylight-Savings Time*****

It should be noted that different countries have different dates for Daylight-Savings Time.  While some countries have no Daylight-Savings Time at all (specifically Japan, Taiwan and China), a number of US states ignore it all together.  Therefore, watches with city scales will not be accurate all of the time.  So, during the summer months, you will need to adjust for a one hour offset.  For example, when checking Shanghai time, use the Bangkok marker.  In the USA, those with radio controlled atomic timepieces will not need to worry about this.