Vacheron Constantin, Girard-Perregaux and Louis Vuitton make watches for travellers

Travellers’ timepieces from Vacheron Constantin, Girard-Perregaux and Louis Vuitton.

watchsept

Go platinum class

For the frequent traveller, the ability to glance down at your wrist and see what time it is anywhere in the planet is a boon. While it’s known in watch circles as the “world time complication”, this function in fact does the opposite; it simplifies the travel experience. Even with ubiquitous internet connections and devices in every pocket, it hasn’t been beaten for efficiency or elegance. Whether you’re keeping in touch with home routines or preparing yourself for the next timezone, there is never any need to worry about wi-fi, apps or flight mode: all you need to know is right there on your wrist. And while a great many brands have a world timer in their catalogue, few are as sophisticated or as accomplished as the Traditionelle World Time from Vacheron Constantin. Of course, none of this is a surprise. VC has been making some of the world’s finest (and most complicated) watches for 260 years, putting them among other Swiss greats such as Patek Philippe and Audemars Piguet. Like these venerable brands, Vacheron Constantin doesn’t need to prove itself; those that know, know. Nowhere is this more evident than with the Traditionelle World Time Collection Excellence Platine. Not content to show 24 timezones at a glance, VC give us 37: you get the 24 meridians, plus all the half- and quarter-hour timezones. All this information is set and adjusted via a single crown — an amazing technical feat. The “Excellence Platine” in the name refers to the fact that every single detail of this limited edition watch, down to the stitching on the alligator strap, is crafted in platinum. This not only makes for a very precious (and very heavy) watch, it demonstrates Vacheron Constantin’s expertise. Platinum is an unforgiving metal to work with, but the results are worth it. While Patek and AP might gain more wrist recognition, in the world of watches, a Vacheron on your wrist will earn you a look of quiet respect from across the first-class lounge. POA

All set to jet

The Traveller from Girard-Perregaux is designed to be a faithful travel companion from check-in to wheels down. The 44mm pink gold case is designed for comfort: gentle curves hug the wrist, and the case, while distinctive, is slender enough to fit under all but the tightest cuffs. What really impresses is the amount of useful information on display. The large date is front and centre and can’t be missed, no matter how jet-lagged you are. A second timezone is of course mandatory, and the pusher allows you to quickly adjust the time when you land without taking the watch off your wrist. The trio of complications is rounded off with a moonphase, which may not be very practical, but will help you while away the hours in transit by gazing at its beauty. RRP: $48,720

For business and pleasure

The fact that luggage maker Louis Vuitton designs watches with the traveller in mind is about as shocking as a train on the Hong Kong Metro being on time. The latest timepieces are particularly strong, with the cheerily bright Escale Time Zone at one end of the spectrum and this sleek Tambour Graphite GMT at the other. Rather than indicate the second timezone with a separate hand, Louis Vuitton shows us the world, surrounding the central northern hemisphere display with a rotating disc indicating 24-hour time. Brushed anthracite, mirror-like rhodium, matte black and bright stainless steel combine to give the Tambour a serious and refined air. With this on your wrist you are definitely on business, not pleasure, though there will be plenty of that when it peeks out from under your shirt-sleeve. RRP: $5850

Produced byTime + Tide.