A dual time zone watch that accounts for DST
By: SJX (registered) Monday, July 9th, 2007
As discussed in an earlier thread , Daniel Roth offers a dual timezone watch in its Masters range. This model, the Metropolitan, is an evolution of the now discontinued Vantage model. Unlike most dual time watches, the Metropolitan offers a Daylight Savings Time (DST) function, amongst others.
A summary of its functions (bold text from Daniel Roth press release, italics are mine):
- Hours & minutes in the center
- Hours hand for the time zone of reference (home time)
- Indication of reference time zone in a window at 6 o’clock
- Indication of AM/PM in a window at 12 o’clock
- Indication of 24 cities in a window at 12 & 6 o’clock for each time zone (intuitive to use - city disc with a black background corresponds to black tipped hand)
- Indication day/night linked with the reference time zone at 3 o’clock
- DST: Summer/Winter indicator at 9 o’clock (The DST function is patented and unique to Daniel Roth. It displays an "s" for summer and a "w" for winter)
Like the Papillon, the Metropolitan is offered in the ellipsocurvex
case; the traditional double ellipse case with a slight curve to it, to enhance
the fit of the watch on a wrist. This is important due to the sheer mass of the
gold case; if the caseback were flat it will not sit as nicely on the wrist as
it does.
Keen eyes will notice the Roman numerals are stamped, as opposed to applied. That is because applied Romans will results in gaps between the markers and the dial, due to the texture of the guilloche pattern. Nonetheless, as with all Daniel Roth dials, the quality of the dial on the Metropolitan is beyond reproach; rejection rates of the dials at the manufacture run as high as 60% for some models.
Keen eyes will notice the Roman numerals are stamped, as opposed to applied. That is because applied Romans will results in gaps between the markers and the dial, due to the texture of the guilloche pattern. Nonetheless, as with all Daniel Roth dials, the quality of the dial on the Metropolitan is beyond reproach; rejection rates of the dials at the manufacture run as high as 60% for some models.
I like the design of this dial, the silver ring running
through the Roman numerals acts as a perimeter of sorts, separating the dua
timezone indicators in the central portion of the dial, from the main time
display on the perimeter. There is a lot of information on the dial, a total of
6 windows and 3 hands, but the design is very legible and easy to use -
focusing on what you need is easy. Some may find the hands too small, but
personally I think they are just the right size, big enough to read while not
being so big they over power the dial and its
windows.
The movement is based on the Girard Perregaux cal. 3100, but the dual time module is manufactured by Daniel Roth and exclusive to it. Like other Daniel Roth watches, the movement is carefully and well finished. I would have preferred a larger, form movement, like that found in the Athys II , but unfortunately it is difficult, if not impossible, to create a large form movement that is automatic, due to the rotor. And a manual wind would have been out of the question as it would impair the functionality of this travel watch.
I personally like the Metropolitan in white gold best, though some may prefer the brighter look offered by the rose gold version below.
The Metropolitan is a worthy candidate for those looking for a travel watch. The only drawback, in my opinion, is the limited case metals offered, rose and white gold only. That is in keeping with Daniel Roth's philosophy of not making watches in steel (a famous Glashuette manufacture pursues the same philosophy), as the manufacture believes fine timepieces should only be presented in noble metals. But that does not detract from the functionality of the Metropolitan, and it is still an an attractive option.
- SJX This message has been edited by SJX on 2007-04-09 06:26:12
