Patek Philippe, the esteemed Swiss watch manufacturer, has unveiled its latest creation at the grand exhibition “Watch Art” Tokyo 2023: the World Time Reference 5330G-010 Limited Edition. This remarkable timepiece, produced in a limited quantity of only 300 watches, boasts a groundbreaking feature—the first-ever synchronized date display with local time. Combining innovation, functionality, and exquisite craftsmanship, this watch sets a new standard in the world of horology.

A Legacy of Timekeeping Excellence
The Patek Philippe World Time watch originated in the 1930s and was born out of an invention by master watchmaker Louis Cottier. It revolutionized the ability to read the time simultaneously across 24 different time zones using two mobile disks—a city disk and a 24-hour disk. Over the years, Patek Philippe has continued to enhance this complication, incorporating vibrant enamel or hand-guilloched maps on the dial, making it an iconic and highly sought-after timepiece.

Innovative Strides
Patek Philippe has consistently pushed the boundaries of watchmaking innovation. In 1999, they introduced a patented mechanism that allowed for easy adjustment of all displays when changing time zones. Subsequently, they combined the World Time function with a chronograph in 2016 and introduced a World Time minute repeater in 2017. These advancements have solidified Patek Philippe’s reputation as a pioneer in complex watch complications.

A Revolutionary Fusion
The World Time Reference 5330G-010 marks a significant milestone in the history of Patek Philippe’s World Time watches. For the first time, this iconic timepiece incorporates a date display, posing a considerable technical challenge. Unlike previous world-time watches, where users had to adjust the time zone and date independently, Patek Philippe aimed to mechanically couple the date display with local time seamlessly. The watch’s innovative patented differential system ensures that the date adjusts automatically when crossing the International Date Line or transitioning past midnight, eliminating the need for manual corrections.

The Patented Differential System
The World Time Reference 5330G-010 features the newly developed caliber 240 HU C movement. At its core lies a sophisticated date-display module, comprising 70 meticulously crafted parts. The movement’s central differential system, driven by two concentric gear trains, controls the date display. When the outer train turns clockwise, the date hand advances, while the inner train turns clockwise to move the date hand counterclockwise. When both trains turn together, the date hand remains stationary. The simplicity of adjusting the city disk, 24-hour disk, center hour hand, and date through a single pusher at 10 o’clock embodies Patek Philippe’s commitment to user-friendly design.

Aesthetics and Legibility
Patek Philippe’s attention to detail extends to the design of the Reference 5330G-010. The dial showcases a plum-colored hand-guilloched center, an exquisite touch reminiscent of the brand’s cherished handcrafted traditions. The hammer-shaped center hand, with a red varnished tip, adds visual interest while moving along the transfer-printed scale from 1 to 31 on a beveled flange. To enhance legibility without compromising other information on the dial, Patek Philippe introduces a transparent glass hand—an industry-first innovation. The use of glass for the hand showcases two patents introduced in 2022, further highlighting the brand’s commitment to technological advancement.

Distinguished qualities and remarkable attributes
The Limited Edition Tokyo 2023 Reference 5330G-010 by Patek Philippe exudes strength and exclusivity. Its refined plum-colored dial with hand-guilloched decoration, red accents symbolizing Japan, and unique time zone indicators create a distinctive appearance. The fully polished white-gold case, curved fluted lugs, and engraved sapphire-crystal back add to its allure. This exceptional timepiece is completed by a black alligator-leather strap with plum-colored stitching, showcasing Patek Philippe’s meticulous craftsmanship and attention to detail.

Specifications:
World Time Reference 5330G-010 Limited Edition Tokyo 2023

Movement:
Caliber 240 HU C
Ultra-thin self-winding mechanical movement
24 time zones and local time, with date synchronized with local time

Diameter:
30.5 mm

Height:
4.58 mm

Number of parts:
306

Number of jewels:
37

Power reserve:
Min. 38 hours – max. 48 hours

Winding rotor:
Mini-rotor in 22K gold, unidirectional winding

Frequency:
21 600 semi-oscillations per hour (3 Hz)

Balance:
Gyromax®

Balance spring:
Spiromax® (in Silinvar®)

Balance spring stud:
Adjustable

Functions:
2-position crown:
• Pushed in: to wind the movement manually
• Pulled out: to set the time

Displays:
By hands:
• Local-time hours and minutes from the center
• Date from the center

By disks:
• City disk with 24 place names
• 24-hour disk with day/night zones

Pusher:
Time-zone pusher at 10 o’clock (to set local time in one-hour steps with synchronized date)

Corrector:
Date at 8 o’clock

Hallmark:
Patek Philippe Seal

Case:
18-carat white gold
Sapphire-crystal case back bearing transfer-printed inscription “Patek Philippe Tokyo”
Water-resistant to 30 m

Case dimensions:
Diameter (10 o’clock to 4 o’clock): 40 mm
Width (3 o’clock to 9 o’clock with crown): 41.95 mm
Length (between lugs): 49.74 mm
Total height (sapphire-crystal back to lugs): 11.77 mm
Height (crystal to crystal): 11.57 mm
Width between lugs: 20 mm

Dial:
• Date scale transfer printed in white on the periphery of the dial
• City disk in brass, tinted a plum color, with place names transfer printed in white, except “Tokyo”, which is transfer printed in red
• 24-hour disk in German silver, the rhodium-plated “day” zone with plum-colored transfer-printed hour numerals and a red rising-sun symbol; the plum-tinted “night” zone with white hour numerals and a moon symbol in powdered yellow gold
• Center with a hand-guilloched, plum-colored decoration
• Hour and minute hands in 18K white gold, the pierced hour hand with a “Southern Cross” silhouette
• Date hand in mineral glass with a red varnished tip
• Baton-style applied hour markers in 18K white gold

Strap:
Alligator leather with large square scales, in shiny black, with contrasting plum-colored hand stitching and a fold-over clasp in 18K white gold.