Letter from the Publisher

DISCS AND WINDOWS
Multiple time zones may also be displayed using discs and windows instead
of hands—or in correlation with the latter. Watchmakers generally take this
opportunity to introduce complementary indications such as the names
or abbreviations of certain cities representing specific time zones. On the
new 2Timezones Zirconium by JeanRichard, the time in the first time zone is
displayed in a classic manner in the center, while the second is shown through
a window at 12 o’clock, combined with an AM/PM indication. Another aperture
at 6 o’clock serves to display the 24 reference cities representing the different
time zones. The Concord C1 Worldtimer is distinguished by its original Dubois
Dépraz mechanism featuring a broad arc-of-a-circle aperture revealing two
discs—one for the cities and the other for the hours. Simply pressing the pusher
serves to select the required city, and the corresponding time is instantly
displayed opposite. On the Colosso by hysek, the second time zone is displayed
in an unusual way by means of a system of Archimedes screws and conical
pinions serving to raise or lower two arrows pointing to the 24 hours. The
upper part of the dial is adorned with a three-dimensional globe spinning on its
axis in 24 hours, and which may be set to local time or GMT.
By combining windows and hands, some watchmakers offer systems that
indicate only one time zone at a time, but enable the user to select another at
any time. Les Douze Villes by Jaquet Droz thus combines a disc bearing the name
of 12 cities with a jumping-hour system. Simply pressing the pusher displays the
required city as well as the corresponding hour—with the minutes shown by the
large central hand.
top left
JeanRichard, 2Timezones Zirconium
top right
Concord, C1 Worldtimer
center right
Hysek, Colosso
bottom right
Jaquet Droz, Les Douze Villes
Multiple Time Zones and GMTs 331 •