World timers - are they still useful?

[mdtddd2007]

I think I can say for most...we buy because of the looks of the watch and popularity draws us to wanting one.

[KarlS]

Originally Posted by RussW

Karl, you do seem fascinated by the concept of timing eggs

No one uses a chrono for timing anything to a fraction of a second. By your arguments the only reason to buy any watch is the look of the dial.

Ok so the Daytona C is a huge hit because of the chronograph function and not aesthetics??? The Datograph because of the movement and the 5170 as the breguet numerals are drop dead gorgeous. I just don't believe people buy a chronograph as they have decided next week I am starting sprints at gym!!

As I said I use WT regularly. I also agree that PP could have and should have changed the dial when Moscow moved zones. Especially on the 5131 but I guess they print a whole years production (or 2 or 3) in advance and needed to get through that production run. I owned a Daytona and honestly didn't even know how to start the chrono!!

[codecow]

Originally Posted by cervantes

Of course it's lost much of it's usefulness, but not it's style and grace. The Navitimer is quite redundant for a pilot these days and the moon phase complication is romantic but pointless. Timepieces live and inspire for their craftsmanship and the emotion they evoke, not necessarily for their usefulness. Want a useful watch, by an Explorer (I did, for when the fit of pragmatism takes me over).

It's interesting how specific people are enamored with certain complications. My wife loves moon phases. I'm not sure why she likes them but one of her goals is to get a piece with a moon phase, most likely a FPJ.

As for the world time, I like the dials and the 240 movement; in particular the enamel dials.

[mps354]

wearing mine today...and didn't change time zones...

[RussW]

Originally Posted by KarlS

Ok so the Daytona C is a huge hit because of the chronograph function and not aesthetics??? The Datograph because of the movement and the 5170 as the breguet numerals are drop dead gorgeous. I just don't believe people buy a chronograph as they have decided next week I am starting sprints at gym!!

As I said I use WT regularly. I also agree that PP could have and should have changed the dial when Moscow moved zones. Especially on the 5131 but I guess they print a whole years production (or 2 or 3) in advance and needed to get through that production run. I owned a Daytona and honestly didn't even know how to start the chrono!!

I think there is a difference between popularity and functionality. The submariner is also a very popular watch, even amongst those that never dive. However this takes nothing away from its usefulness to actual divers. In the same way people may buy a chrono for its looks alone, but the chrono is still a useful tool for those that want to use it, and enjoy their watch as it was intended instead of using a phone.

Not sure how we got onto chronos anyway

[Hollister]

Originally Posted by Tony64

I think the Patek world timers are great looking watches, with an artistic and well executed complication, but with countries changing their timezones it's becoming increasingly less useful.

First it was Moscow, and today i read that Spain is considering moving its clocks back an hour to GMT. When you factor in the inconsitent observances of DST, I'm happy to report i'm no longer tempted...

Does it really matter? You set it to whatever time zone you are in. I think they are lovely watches.

[Tony64]

Originally Posted by Hollister

Does it really matter? You set it to whatever time zone you are in. I think they are lovely watches.

I'm not sure that I understand your question or your suggestion.

Are you suggesting that you would somehow use the "world time" function like a "travel time"? I'm confused...

Agree that they are lovely watches. My money requires greater functionality, but that's just me.

[Lordofrolex]

Love world timer complication

[nyc2la]

Originally Posted by mps354

wearing mine today...and didn't change time zones...

Beautiful!

[mps354]

Originally Posted by nyc2la

Beautiful!

Thanks!

I love it even when not making use of the complication

[KarlS]

Somewhere on TRF is an old thread of mine where I specified why I needed a WT for its function over form and evaluated VC, JLC and PP and then choosing the 5130G which I sold once and bought a new one within 3 weeks. That alone tells a story

[archer75]

I agree it is good at aesthetics and it is useful for some but DSD is one key element of a WT that should be there. I would only buy a Patek without DSD as the others do not appeal to me. However, my conlusion is that a dual time is more useful and there is ALS timezone for those who wants to have a city ring with a dual time.

I earlier asked PP about DSD function and here it is their response;

Quote
Basically our movement (calibre 240 HU) is made to respect the 24 time zones without taking into account the changes some countries may apply.
The very first world time movements were produced in the late 30’s and based on the “winter” time.
For historical reason, as well as to keep a well-balanced and easy-to-read dial we have kept the display of the 24-time zones in winter time for our timepieces.

Therefore, you are right, during Summer times, the cities “staying” with the winter time will not be online with the cities changing for DST.

Unquote

[pp5575]

For me, World time is a very beautiful watch to wear. I think Iphone is more useful than world time watch. However, beautiful watch is a man's decoration. I enjoy the world time a lot.

[RKTudor]

Originally Posted by raclaims

I use mine!! I realize I can do it just as fast in my head at times but use the watch for the fun of it.

Exactly. I'm just starting to get into complications, and this was the result of a conversation with a watch friend... sure we can use our phones, but damn isn't it fun to use our mechanical masterpieces?