Audemars Piguet World Time Mnemonic Dials

quattro · 2025-09-14T15:32:15Z

Explore Audemars Piguet's rare 1940s 'world time mnemonic' dials. Discover the unique static timezone chart and Calibre 13VZAS in these vintage AP watches.

quattro

WPS member · Audemars Piguet forum

17 replies1969 views36 photos

Emmanuel, known as quattro on WatchProSite, delves into a fascinating and often overlooked chapter of Audemars Piguet's history: the 1940s 'world time mnemonic' dials. His meticulous research unearths details about these rare timepieces, which feature a unique, static subdial designed as a memory aid for calculating time differences. Emmanuel's work provides invaluable context for understanding AP's historical approach to world time functionality and its distinctive design language.

In the 1940s, Audemars Piguet created a few watches with a dial designed like the "observatory dials", i.e. with small seconds at 9 o'clock & another, purely static subdial at 3 o'clock featuring, instead of a precision or observatory mention, a timezone chart.

The main 24 time zones are symbolised by numerals and the time zones considered "important" (very debatable, of course) include a reference city name.

This simplified World Time system, which requires basic mental arithmetic (the watch doesn't do the math for you!), was designed as a memory aid, facilitating the determination of the time differences between various cities of the world.

These dials were available in different versions as to the "main" or "home" location, always located at 12 o'clock (noon) and sometimes pointed by an arrow. For example, when New-York is located at noon, it is easy to see that Hawaï is -6h and Rome +6h. Or course, daylight saving time isn't taken into account (you'd better know if the different locations use it or not).

These dials with this purely passive world time "complication" have sometimes been called "world time mnemonic dials".

The watches are all powered by calibre 13VZAS.

According to Monaco Legend Group, only 6 examples are known, but I think I've identified 13 (if I didn't make any mistake as data is often scarce and unclear)...

Best, Emmanuel

A/ TEARDROP LUGS

1/ Steel - Roma - Probably movement no. 45869 (or 45896)

credit: Hodinkee (1-3) & Antiquorum (the first photo is referenced as 45869, the second one as 45896 but I think it's a mistake as they seem identical)

2/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 45953

credit: Christie’s

3/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 45960

credit: Bukowskis, @wirelug (one before last) & Hodinkee (last)

4/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 45961

credit: classic driver

5/ Steel - City? - Movement no. 45966

credit: Christie’s

6/ Steel - Roma - Movement no. 46564

credit: Charlotte van Gaver

7/ Yellow gold - Roma - Movement no. 48532

credit: Amsterdam Vintage Watches

8/ Yellow gold - New-York - Movement no. 46605

credit: Monaco Legend Group

B/ CLASSICAL LUGS

1/ Yellow gold - Roma - Movement no. 45967

2/ Yellow gold - New-York - Movement no. 46556 (this example has been sold six times by Antiquorum)

credit: Antiquorum

C/ CLAW LUGS

1/ Steel - Rio Janeiro - Movement no. ?

credit: Hodinkee

2/ Steel - New-York - Movement no. 46557

3/ Yellow gold - New-York - Movement no. 51700

This example, with the timezone chart around the canon pinion and small seconds at 6 o'clock, is unique.

credit: Antiquorum

Key Points from the Discussion

The 'world time mnemonic' dial, while static and requiring mental arithmetic, possesses a unique charm and aesthetic appeal that distinguishes it from more complex world time complications.
The cases of these vintage AP watches, particularly those with teardrop or claw lugs, are noted for their exceptional beauty and design.
The existence of these historical models suggests a rich archive of design inspiration for Audemars Piguet, prompting speculation about potential future re-interpretations.
The author expresses a personal sentiment that these vintage AP watches embody a 'soul and heart,' contrasting them with modern designs and lamenting what is perceived as a departure from the brand's historical design ethos.

The Discussion

quattro

Sep 14, 2025

so "cold" (to me), that I would say these AP are Nomos, if you like, but... with a soul and a heart (silly, I know, and very personal, but it's what comes to my mind)... Best, Emmanuel

quattro

Sep 14, 2025

Here the WT "complication" is completely static (can we even call it a true "complication"?), but this static subdial has such a charm and the watches are so appealing... My favorite could be the steel/gold claw lugs Rio Janeiro, if only it had the arrow pointing the reference town (why is it missing?).

quattro

Sep 14, 2025

and the watches are so appealing. Best, Emmanuel

quattro

Sep 14, 2025

and the watches have so much charm! My favorite would be the steel/gold Rio Janeiro if only it had the arrow pointing the reference city (why is it missing?)! Best, Emmanuel

bruckner4

Sep 14, 2025

Incredible stuff -- dial design, movements, case variety, etc. Wonderful to see...

quattro

Sep 14, 2025

and these watches are a balm for my heart. No other major brand has turned its back on its past to such an extent. I hope AP will wake up someday. Best, Emmanuel

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