In 1884 the visionary Sandford Flemming invented in Washington the 24 time zones that are used to tell time on earth. In 1930 Mr. Louis Cottier, a watchmaker from Carouge in Geneva, developed a complication for pocket watches to display multiple time zones. This complication was introduced on a wrist watch by Mr. Cottier in 1950. Mr. Andersen has been servicing watches with this complication while working at Patek Philippe in the “Atelier des grandes complications” in the 70’s (he spent  9 years at Patek Philippe).

In 1990 Andersen Genève presented its 1st Edition of worldtime watch – the "Communication" - commemorating the 1st worldtime wrist watch produced by Mr. Cottier. The module developed and assembled by ANDERSEN Genève gives an easy way to read the time all around the world, without pushing buttons or turning crowns.

The 2nd, 3rd and 4th following Editions were called "Christophorus Colombus", "Mundus" and "1884" respectively.

In 2015 the 5th edition of worldtime watch – the "Tempus Terrae" was introduced. It commemorated the first worldtime wrist watch with two crowns developed by Louis Cottier in the 50’s; one of the most beautiful worldtimers ever created. Mr. Cottier was so successful that he made worldtime watches for Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, and even Rolex.

The time zones indication has been continually optimised since ANDERSEN Genève’s first worldtime watch more than 30 years ago, in 1990.

The worldtime ANDERSEN Genève X ASPREY is full of details and inspirations from past worldtime & iconic ANDERSEN Genève timepieces. Among such are:
-    Triangle lugs that made “Secular Perpetual Calender (from 1996)” & “Orbita Lunae (2002)” timepieces so
successful
-    21ct BlueGold dial that ANDERSEN Genève is mastering since 2005
-    Outstanding hand guilloché pattern that was inspired by Asprey’s heritage “engine turning” pattern which is a signature of the brand and until now has never used on a dial
-    “A” shaped ANDERSEN Genève hands

This timepiece harks back to the glamour of a bygone era. A romantic fusion of ANDERSEN Genève’s design
and technical DNA with Asprey’s storied heritage.

A restrained 39mm worldtimer in 5N red gold with three part construction and elegant angular lugs. The central gold dial has been handcrafted with a bespoke hand guilloché pattern in "BlueGold" that ANDERSEN Genève has been mastering over decades. While discreet, the brushed "A" shaped ANDERSEN hands are legible and highly recognisable

The caseback is again a restrained affair with a highly decorated automatic movement boasting "Côtes de Genève" and "Perlage". The movement has been painstakingly finished by hand with special polishing of the wheels, ratchet teeth and mirror polished screws. The rotor in itself is a piece of art, again in BlueGold hand guilloché, the same as we see dial side. Limited Edition of 24 timepieces.

Every component of this watch is manufactured in Switzerland, whether in the Atelier, in Geneva or La-Chaux-de-Fonds, in partnership with passionate high- end craftsmen, with no compromise on quality.

Asprey, recognized as one of the world’s pre-eminent luxury goods brands, has over two centuries of craftsmanship expertise and artisanal aptitude, serving a substantial client base of members of royalty, heads of state and important actors on the world stage. Quality, craftsmanship and intemporal design are at the core of each product created across a wide assortment of jewellery, leather, and home collections including an unrivalled bespoke service with the famed motto, ‘It can be done’.

Asprey’s relationship with timepieces dates back to the 19th century when Asprey sold watches and clocks manufactured in the UK that were considered leading items of luxury and sought around the world, subsequently becoming a leading purveyor of luxury watch brands in the 20th century and even introducing Patek Philippe to the United Kingdom.

The now iconic scrolled Asprey logo adorned dials from the 1950's and 1960's by makers such as Jaeger LeCoultre and Rolex, which in time have become coveted by collectors around the world.

The yellow gold Patek Philippe 2499 signed by Asprey, the only known example, set a world record in 2018 for the reference when it was auctioned for CHF 3.9 million (£3,370,000). So important is the timepiece that it’s often referred to simply as “The Asprey”;  its distinct luminous hands also setting it apart from other reference 2499’s.

The hands can also be found in other Asprey signed Patek Philippe watches, such as the magnificent reference 565.

Most recently, in 2022 an Audemars Piguet 25654PT perpetual calendar Royal Oak in platinum with a copper-brown dial signed by Asprey sold for $1,036,511 in and now holds the world record for any perpetual calendar Royal Oak sold at auction.

That lineage of excellence and collaboration continues today, in line with Asprey’s core values, championing innovation, craftsmanship and rarity, with a series of watches with the next wave of leading independent watchmakers.

www.asprey.com

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