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How does the Double Balance GMT show two time zones?
The DBG presents two hour-and-minute dials, so each time zone has its own direct time display. A 24-hour day/night indicator helps distinguish the reference zone’s day from night. The reviewed Instrument Collection watch is also described with two visible balance wheels beneath a large dial aperture, plus separate gear trains, escapements and setting crowns for the two displays. Fratello’s 2014 summary.
That makes the watch’s approach different from a typical GMT watch, where a second-zone hand often shares the main movement’s regulating system and is read against a 24-hour scale. Here, the two zones are represented by separate hour-and-minute indications. On the later DBG Skeleton, Worldtempus reports that the reference-time minutes can be adjusted independently in quarter-hour increments, useful for time-zone offsets that are not whole hours, such as UTC+5:30 or UTC+5:45. Worldtempus’s account of the DBG Skeleton.
What makes its movement unusual?
Two regulating systems, not just two hands
The later DBG Skeleton is described as having two independent kinetic chains, each with its own barrel, gear train, escapement and balance. It shares a central seconds hand and a day/night indicator, but its hour-and-minute indications operate autonomously. This is a more mechanically elaborate way to display two zones than adding a second-zone hand to a single timekeeping train. Worldtempus.
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The distinction matters because “Double Balance” is not merely a dial description: the two visible balances correspond to separate regulating trains. However, the available descriptions do not establish comparative accuracy, service intervals, or service cost against conventional GMT watches, so the architectural difference should not be mistaken for a proven practical performance advantage.
Which Double Balance GMT model are the specifications for?
Specifications differ between the circa-2014 DBG and the later DBG Skeleton. The reference 1DGAP.W01A, catalogued by Bonhams in a 2016 auction listing, is identified with calibre 1209; the later Skeleton is described with calibre A&S1309. These are distinct model specifications and should not be combined.
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| Specification | Circa-2014 DBG, ref. 1DGAP.W01A | Later DBG Skeleton described by Tilia Speculum |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Cal. 1209; 42 jewels; twin-train construction, per Bonhams’ 2016 catalog listing. Bonhams | Cal. A&S1309; manually wound; 42 jewels; 35.00mm diameter; 3.90mm thick; 40-hour power reserve; 3Hz/21,600vph, per Tilia Speculum. Tilia Speculum |
| Case | 44mm, per Bonhams’ 2016 listing. Bonhams | 44.00mm 18-carat rose gold, 30m water resistance, per Tilia Speculum. Tilia Speculum |
| Edition | Not stated in Bonhams’ cited catalog listing. Bonhams | 30-piece limited edition, per Tilia Speculum. Tilia Speculum |
The later Skeleton’s 40-hour reserve and 3Hz frequency apply to the A&S1309 specification Tilia Speculum describes; they should not be assumed for every DBG. Likewise, its rose-gold case and 30m water-resistance rating are specific to that cited Skeleton variant.
What did the Bexsonn review establish?
Fratello’s February 6, 2014 republication says Christopher Beccan of Bexsonn reviewed the Instrument Collection Double Balance GMT and summarizes its principal display and movement features. It directs readers to Bexsonn for further detail, but the detailed original review is not available in the cited republication. The published summary therefore supports explaining the layout and mechanism, not claiming firsthand impressions about comfort, finishing, legibility in use or long-term wear. Fratello.
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What prices are documented, and what do they mean?
Tilia Speculum gives a worldwide retail price of CHF 35,300 excluding tax for the DBG Skeleton it describes. The page’s publication date is not stated in the available information, so this is historical published pricing, not a current quote. Tilia Speculum.
Bonhams’ 2016 catalog estimated a specific circa-2014 reference 1DGAP.W01A lot at £8,000–10,000, €10,000–13,000 and US$12,000–15,000. Those are auction estimates for that lot, not a reported sale price or a present-day valuation. Bonhams’ lot listing.
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What to check when considering a pre-owned example
Because the DBG and DBG Skeleton are related but distinct, identify the exact reference and calibre before comparing specifications or prices. For any particular listing, confirm the details against the watch and its documentation rather than relying on the broad “Double Balance GMT” name alone.
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- Check the reference and movement calibre: the circa-2014 1DGAP.W01A is associated with Cal. 1209, while the later Skeleton source describes A&S1309.
- Verify case metal, size and edition details for the exact variant.
- Ask for condition, box and papers, service history and any remaining warranty documentation.
- Confirm current availability and price directly with the seller; the cited historical prices do not establish either.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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