Hands-On With The Girard-Perregaux World Traveller WW.TC (Live Pics…)

Girard-Perregaux first launched its worldtime watch deemed WW.TC (World-Wide Time Control) in 2000. While the watch was practical and had a pleasant look, it was time for a sprucing up and update. In 2013, Girard-Perregaux presented the Traveler series, a name change to indicate that this was a new and improved version of their worldtime model. But the Traveler got its best makeover in 2014, when it was placed in a rose gold 44mm case consisting of over 30 parts. The latest model features elongated, swooping lugs that taper off for maximum comfort, and hihglights the brand’s talent in finishing by alternating polished and brushed surfaces on the case, which reflect nicely as they catch the light.

Another change from the previous model is the slightly curved dial composed of three stepped layers: cities around the world, 24 hours with day and night shadings, and time. The watch has a very architectural feel and the curved dial improves legibility. Lovely leaf-shaped hands, also filled with lume, round the applied gold, lume-filled circular hour markers.

More than just a world timer, the Ref: 49700-52-134-BB6B provides lots of other conveniences. It has a large date with instantaneous jump placed at 2 o’clock, as well as a chronograph function with a nicely balanced tri-compax layout showing the running seconds, minutes and hours counters. The square pushers on the case to run the chronograph are really a standout, ergonomically designed to comfortably fit your thumb.

Girard-Perregaux is a full-fledged manufacture. Considered high grade and reliable, the movements have been chosen as a base by companies such as URWERK and MB&F. Inside the World Traveler REF : 49700-52-134-BB6B Girard-Perregaux placed the in-house GP03300 mechanical, self-winding movement with a 46-hour power reserve.

For this model, the World Traveller comes in a pink gold case finished off with a rich brown alligator strap with hand stitching down the sides. Girard-Perregaux dusted off one of its classic models to create a world timer watch that is not only well designed and convenient, but can compete with the best of them at a reasonable price. Available in the Harrods Fine Watch room, Ground Floor.

Photo Credit: Haute Time. For more information, please visit the official Girard-Perregaux website.