Search

Results

View more results

Recent search

FHH | The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches
The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches_1

Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory. Quirky Backstory

Dual Time Watches. Dual Time Watches. Dual Time Watches. Dual Time Watches

06 November 2025

The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches

education

by @watches_and_culture

Looking at your watch and being able to attend a meeting on time in Chicago, while instantly knowing if it’s bedtime or not for your loved one back in Geneva, was the ultimate flex in the 1970s.


 

The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches_2

The need to display two time zones simultaneously dates back to the early 20th century. While the first iterations appeared in pocket watches, let’s focus here on the later part of the 20th century, which gave birth to some of the most intriguing and creative designs ever made.


 

The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches_3

As you already know, the 1970s was a challenging era for the watch industry — yet, paradoxically, it was also a wonderful time for innovation, where traditional watch design was questioned and reimagined.


 

The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches_4

All the major watchmakers competed fiercely to create bold and daring designs, especially when it came to exceptional, rare, and refined timepieces.


 

The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches_5

Patek Philippe, Cartier, Vacheron Constantin, Chopard, Baume & Mercier, Piaget, Bulgari, and many others all launched eye-catching dual time zone watches, each with its own unique personality. Most were offered in yellow or white gold, featuring integrated bracelets, while some went even further with diamond-set cases and stone dials.


 

The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches_6

For most of these models, displaying two time zones wasn’t particularly complex from a technical standpoint — as they were typically powered by two small manual-winding movements, independent from one another. However, this also meant that wearers had to wind, set, and service each movement separately.
A handful of Cartier watches even introduced a beautiful and technically sophisticated solution, allowing two displays powered by a single movement.

 

The Quirky Backstory Of The Dual Time Watches_7

FUN FACT:
Chopard once presented a quadruple time zone watch that looked as though two dual time watches had been fused together!
DISCLAIMER: 
These visuals were created by Watches and Culture independently from the represented brands. Each post is an artistic take on watchmaking heritage in a pop culture context.