Patek Philippe, World Time, Complications, ca 2003.

Few complications embody the spirit of international travel and haute horlogerie quite like the world time. Among the most revered interpretations of this complication is the Patek Philippe Ref. 5110G, a white gold icon that marked a new era for the brand in the early 2000s.

Introduced in 2000 and produced until approximately 2006, the Ref. 5110 was the spiritual successor to the legendary Ref. 2523 and a celebration of Louis Cottier’s ingenious world time mechanism, which Patek Philippe first utilized in the 1930s. The 5110G, with its 37mm white gold case, was a thoroughly modern reinterpretation that remained faithful to the classic codes of Patek design while offering improved wearability and functionality for the contemporary collector.

At the heart of the watch lies the Caliber 240 HU, an ultra-thin self-winding movement based on the micro-rotor-equipped Caliber 240. The “HU” stands for “Heure Universelle”, and the movement allows the wearer to view 24 time zones simultaneously, with a city ring and a rotating 24-hour disk. A pusher at 10 o’clock enables smooth timezone adjustments, advancing the hour hand and city ring in one-hour increments without stopping the movement – a technically elegant solution for the jet-set elite.

The dial of the 5110G is a masterpiece in itself: a guilloché engraved central medallion adds visual depth and complexity, framed by a silvered city ring and a 24-hour scale divided into day and night sectors.

As one of the last references to feature the old-school Geneva hallmark before the brand transitioned to the Patek Philippe Seal, the 5110G carries a sense of purity and collectability. Its proportions are refined, its execution impeccable, and its legacy deeply rooted in Patek’s pursuit of functional elegance.

Though later replaced by the larger Ref. 5130 and then the 5230, the 5110G remains a favorite among collectors who value both design harmony and technical heritage. It’s a world timer that doesn’t shout – it whispers stories of global sophistication, mechanical ingenuity, and quiet luxury.

The example offered here is in overall excellent condition, fitted with a Patek Philippe leather strap in, and secured by an 18K white gold folding clasp. It is accompanied by its Certificate of Origin dated 2003, original presentation box, and outer packaging – highly attractive for the discerning collector.