Skip to main content

The Manual Wind: Taking the Complication Out of Time Change

taking complication time change omega rolex
There is much controversy surrounding the age old practice of daylight savings time(DST).  Evidence dating back to the Romans shows civilizations were changing their daily routines to make better use of daylight.  As most believe their is no need for it any longer, few understand the tangible impact it still has today.  There are true economic advantages of this time change; as life altering as the spring forward may be.  Their is evidence of an uptick in retail sales from boutiques getting additional foot traffic in cities, increase in DYI projects showing growth in the season for independent hardware stores and Home Depots, and analysts say that close to 400 million in revenue a year can be attributed to the time change in the world of golf.  Whether it be the change in the water systems in ancient times or to allow modern day golfers to get in a few more holes in the summer, clocks will be changing.

It is unacceptable to neglect your timepiece as you would your microwave.  Dual time or GMT complications were not designed for the DST time change specifically, but for travelers making there way through timezones.  The importance of maintaing accuracy and the ease of hour changes can be seen executed with great design in a number of timepieces across the watch market.  Rolex, Omega, and Ulysse Nardin manufacture some of the nicest GMT complications in both design and movement.
rolexgoldgmt
Rolex and Omega are two of the most legendary and iconic brands in the watch world  and they happen to share the same dual time movement philosophy.  The movements in their respective GMT pieces, the Rolex GMT Master II and the Omega Planet Ocean GMT, allow for independent movement of the hour hand.  Pull the crown out to the date change position and with every rotation, both forward and back, the hour hand will click into position.  This movement design allows for hour hand adjustment all the while not effecting the accuracy of the second and minute hands as they continue to tick along with precision.  Two great GMT examples that are both aesthetically classic, versatile and movement conscious for the avid traveler.
goodplanet
Ulysse Nardin is another brand that has mastered the simple timezone change with its GMT dual time complication.   So imbedded in the Ulysse Nardin DNA, their line of dual time timepieces utilizing this movement has over the years expanded to seven different watch designs: The GMT Dual Time, Michelangelo UTC, Executive Dual Time, GMT Perpetual, El Toro PerpetualSonata, and Quadrato Perpetual.  The functionality of this push button GMT is where the beauty lies.  Incorporated in the design is a home-time window or hand indicating the hour on the GMT (general mean time).  Two pushers on the side of the case, plus and minus, will adjust the main hour hand in either direction with each impression.  This allows for the ability to read your home timezone, displayed separately, and adjust the hour hand to your current timezone in order to tell the time off the main hands.  A Ulysse Nardin dual time might be the easiest way to adjust for Daylight savings aside from your smart phone doing it for you.
gmtmanu
Albeit watching the clock tick from 1:59am to 3:00am does not bode well for your Sunday (I know), the added stress and biological discombobulation will be worth it.  Stimulate the economy, squeeze in nine holes after work, and take a twilight walk down Madison Avenue and visit some dual time complications.  Plus, you finally got the opportunity to pull out the crown out of the timepiece on your wrist that you so frequently admire but never actually get the chance to touch.

Related Videos

Editors' Recommendations

The Manual Wind: The Chronograph Spirit
manual wind chronograph spirit

The watch industry has seen an influx of brands in the last few decades. Brands both resurrected from the depths of dormant watch history and conceived of passionate skilled students of the art. When marketing takes a backseat to passion and skill, truly transcendent timepieces emerge. That is of the case of Peter Speake-Marin. As if watchmaking was his destiny, Speake-Marin was schooled and trained, restoring and developing all before the age of thirty. Having designed and built high-end complications for the well known movement manufacturer Renaud & Papi (now owned by Audemars Piguet) his next step was to take his name from the bench to exhibition with the creation of his namesake brand; Speake-Marin. The Piccadilly was Speake-Marin's first release. Now, more than a decade later, this discernible case design is the cornerstone of the brand.

Having utilized the Piccadilly case once again, the first Speake-Marin Chronograph hits The Basel Watch Fair 2014. Taking the design cues of the Automatic Spirit Mark 2, Speake-Marin introduces the Spirit Seafire Chronograph. This Titanium case 42mm Chronograph has the fervor of English sophistication and sport. A matte dial in horizontal symmetry displays minute and hour chronograph counters, date, and a running seconds signified by the 'Topping Tool' insignia frequently used by Speake-Marin. All the hands, including the Speake-Marin spade-tipped hour hand, are filled with SuperLuminova for nighttime legibility. The Chronograph counters displayed with both arabic and roman numerals are a unique touch giving this chronograph an almost regulator type feel. Inside lies a caliber C99001-D automatic Chronograph movement with forty-eight hour power reserve. This single barrel chronograph is a great pairing for this piece giving this titanium case a durable and high performing movement allowing for true reliability and sport. Attach this piece to your wrist with a hand-made brown calf leather strap and tang buckle for a meeting of old English charm and industrial sport.

Read more
The Manual Wind: Zenith’s First Flight
manual wind zeniths first flight zenith

How do you update the classic pilot watch design?  Make it vintage.  Pilot watches for the most part have the same design features; big diameter, big crown, big hands.  The watchmakers at Zenith have taken their Pilot Montre d’Aeronef Type 20 GMT back in time for the 1903 limited edition.  As a tribute to the Wright Brothers first flight; their 48mm pilot watch has been turned  into a well priced in-house vintage statement.

A matte black dial with SuperLuminova Old Radium arabic numerals and hands bring in the weathered look of a 1900s pilot watch.  Whereas patina due to age will no longer be luminescent, this patina-by-design boasts an authentic vintage feel while still lighting up your nightstand in the early hours.  Coupled with a vintage Nubuck cuff strap in beige suede, the dial is intensified by the contrast off the black DLC coated titanium case.

Read more
The 10 best men’s workout shirts to help you get fit in 2023

There are multiple things to consider when purchasing new workout apparel. You want to make sure you do your due diligence beforehand. When looking for the optimal workout shirt, functionality often takes precedence over style, for most men. After all, a minimalist cotton t-shirt is ideal, but it won't look (or smell) so great after an hour-long workout, especially if your working out, outdoors. That's why, in the past decade, some of our favorite activewear brands like Lululemon, Vuori, and Under Armour have developed breathable fabrics with moisture-wicking and odor-fighting technology that are now practically must-haves for any exercise gear, especially when it comes to making high-quality shirts.

That being said, not all workout tops are created equal. When it comes to finding the right workout fit, make sure it doesn't feel too tight or baggy around your underarms, your shoulders, or across your chest, i.e., the areas you exercise most. We sifted through some of the most popular brands to select the best workout shirts that are as practical as they are fashionable. Here are our top picks for the best men's workout shirts of 2023.

Read more