The Alterum Worldtimer turns world time into a set of four concentric displays rather than a conventional collection of hands. On the original Ref. 1, an outer 24-city ring, a 24-hour day/night scale, and inner hour and minute indications sit beneath sapphire crystal. Two recessed crowns divide the controls: one rotates the city ring; the other sets and winds the watch. The result is a distinctive, architecture-inspired design, though the original Ref. 1 is marked sold out on Alterum’s product page.
How the Alterum Worldtimer display works
The dial is arranged in four concentric zones, from the center outward:
- Minutes: the innermost indication tracks the minutes.
- Hours: the next ring shows the hour.
- Day and night: a 24-hour scale helps distinguish daytime from nighttime in the selected time zone.
- World time: the outer ring lists 24 cities representing time zones.
Printed graphics and indexes beneath the sapphire crystal help create the watch’s handless appearance. To read another city’s time, use the upper recessed crown to move the city ring and align the desired city with the appropriate reference on the dial. The lower crown has the conventional jobs of setting and winding the movement. Alterum describes these functions on its original Ref. 1 product page; Fratello also outlines the arrangement in its October 2024 introduction.
This layout makes the watch’s world-time function immediately visible, but it asks the wearer to interpret several rings instead of reading a familiar set of hands. Its appeal is as much graphic and architectural as it is practical.
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- Movement: Equipped with an automatic self-winding movement, ensuring reliable timekeeping with minimal maintenance.
- Case Size: 40.4mm, made from stainless steel for durability and a sophisticated look. It features a transparent case back, allowing a view of the intricate movement inside.
- Crystal: Anti-Reflective Convex Sapphire Crystal provides excellent clarity and resistance to scratches, enhancing readability.
- Complications: Includes a 24-hour display and the capability to track all 24 global time zones, offering versatility for frequent travelers.
- Strap: Comes with a blue leather strap and a pin buckle closure, combining style and comfort to complement the watch's elegant design.
Design: an architecture-led case and bracelet
Alterum and Fratello connect the watch’s design language to American modernism and architecture, including Frank Lloyd Wright’s Guggenheim Museum. That is the stated inspiration, rather than a claim that the watch reproduces the building’s form. The circular, layered dial gives the reference a strong visual identity, while the integrated bracelet carries the case’s geometry into the wristband.
For the original Ref. 1, the case is vapor-blasted 316L stainless steel. Fratello describes a sapphire crystal and screw-fastened caseback, and reports screw-connected bracelet links with a butterfly clasp and dual push-button release. The integrated construction supports the watch’s continuous, architectural silhouette; it also makes bracelet fit and adjustment a practical consideration for buyers.
Rank #2
- Wandering Hour Display: A Minimalist approach beyond convention, with hours drifting in continuous motion alongside the minutes. At the dial’s centre, a singular wandering assembly traces minutes; along its path, an hour disc rotates calmly, read against a fixed marker.
- Self-Developed Caliber CD-08: Based on the Japanese Miyota 9000-series automatic base, with 24 jewels supporting stable, consistent performance.Built upon the renowned Mivota 9000 series-42-hour reserve 28,800 vph, 24 jewels-this customized automatic is designatec CD-08.
- Super Black Dial: Absorbing 99.3% of light, the dial lets motion emerge from darkness without distraction. Raised minute indices, finely CNC-engraved, encircle the shadow, catching light and framing the motion.
- Sculpted 316L Steel Case: A layered case design combining polished and sandblasted surfaces for refined contrast. Slim and fluid at 11.8 mm, designed to rest close and composed on the wrist. Swiss Super-LumiNova enhances a distinct nighttime presence.
- FREE Warranty for 2 Years: CIGA Design is committed to providing high-quality products and perfect after-sales service. Every CIGA Design watch undergoes strict quality inspection before it leaves the factory. If you encounter problems when using the watch, please feel free to contact us. We will contact you within 24 hours and give you a satisfactory solution.We are committed to better service.
Original Ref. 1 specifications
These figures refer to the original Ref. 1, not automatically to later Alterum editions.
| Specification | Original Ref. 1 |
|---|---|
| Movement | Sellita SW330-2 automatic GMT; Alterum states a 56-hour power reserve. Fratello reports 28,800 vph and 25 jewels. |
| Case | Vapor-blasted 316L stainless steel; 38.5 mm across and 10.5 mm thick, according to Alterum. |
| Water resistance | Alterum specifies 5 ATM; Fratello reports 50 m / 5 ATM. These are published specifications, not independent test results. |
| Crystal and caseback | Sapphire crystal and screw-fastened caseback, as reported by Fratello. |
| Bracelet | Integrated vapor-blasted steel bracelet. Fratello reports screw-connected links and a butterfly clasp with dual push-button release. |
| Display | Minute and hour indications, 24-hour day/night scale, and outer ring with 24 city names. |
| Edition size | 100 pieces, according to Alterum’s product page. |
The original Ref. 1’s automatic GMT movement supplies the timekeeping and time-zone display, while the rotating city ring provides the wearer’s way to select a city reference. Fratello identifies Alterum founder Justin Walters as the designer. Its author, Daan de Groot, called the watch “an original-looking watch” in the October 23, 2024 article; that is Fratello’s opinion, not a technical assessment.
Rank #3
- WORLD TIME FOR GLOBAL TRAVEL Track time across 31 time zones and 48 cities with Casio's advanced World Time function. The built-in world map display and Multi Time feature allow you to monitor multiple locations at a glance, making this watch an excellent companion for international travel and business.
- 10-YEAR BATTERY LIFE Powered by a long-lasting CR2025 battery, the AE-1200WH-1AV delivers approximately 10 years of dependable performance, reducing maintenance while providing years of reliable everyday use.
- BUILT FOR EVERYDAY ADVENTURE With 100-meter water resistance, a durable resin case, and a comfortable black resin band, this watch is ready for swimming, hiking, travel, work, and everyday wear. Lightweight construction ensures lasting comfort throughout the day.
- ADVANCED DIGITAL FUNCTIONS Includes a 1/100-second stopwatch, 24-hour countdown timer, five daily or one-time alarms, hourly time signal, full auto calendar through 2099, mute function, and selectable 12/24-hour time display.
- EASY-TO-READ DIGITAL DISPLAY The large LCD display features a dedicated world map window, analog-style sub-display, and amber LED illumination with afterglow, providing excellent visibility in both daylight and low-light conditions.
Ref. 1 price and availability
Alterum’s product page lists the original Ref. 1 at $3,315 and marks it sold out. Fratello reported a price of CHF 2,850 before taxes in its October 23, 2024 article. These are edition- and source-specific figures; neither establishes a current price for later models.
Alterum’s current site also shows Horizon, L.A., and N.Y.C. editions. Their presence does not mean the original Ref. 1 is available, and the Ref. 1 specifications and historical prices above should not be assumed to apply to them. Check Alterum’s current site for edition-specific details and availability.
Rank #4
- Best gift for travel lover : coming with gift box, fashion cool appearance with beautiful colors matching, personalized cool unique watch dial catch all eyes, you should get this watch, will give you perfect wearing experience.
- Easy to read time: high quality imported Japanese quartz movement and battery will let this watch keep precise time,accurate time scale,very clearly.
- Comfortable to wear: soft Leather watch band with stainless steel buckle adjust sizes freely.
- Interesting watch face:weird watches with the earth is rotating as seconds,the sun represents hours,the moon represents minutes, if you love space and love traval the world, you should get this watch.
- 50M Waterproof: you can wear it to wash your hand or swiming, but never to press any button in water or put it in hot water.
How the Seddiqi anniversary edition differs
The Ahmed Seddiqi anniversary version is a separate numbered edition of 100 pieces, not another name for Ref. 1. The retailer describes it with black PVD-coated 316L steel, a dual-tone day/night dial, and an additional rubber strap. By contrast, Alterum describes Ref. 1 with a vapor-blasted steel case and integrated steel bracelet. The Seddiqi listing is the source for its edition details: Ahmed Seddiqi’s Alterum limited-edition page. Do not transfer one edition’s finish, accessories, price, or availability to another without checking its own listing.
What to consider before choosing one
- Readability: the four-ring system is visually distinctive, but it may take more interpretation than a conventional dial.
- Wrist fit: the original is 38.5 mm across and uses an integrated bracelet, so consider both case proportions and the bracelet’s adjustment options.
- Water use: the published 5 ATM / 50 m rating is not a guarantee for every activity or condition; follow the manufacturer’s guidance for the specific edition.
- Edition matching: verify the exact case finish, dial, included bracelet or strap, movement, stated water resistance, and live availability for the version being offered.
What do you think of the Alterum Worldtimer? Fratello posed that question in its introduction, and the answer largely depends on whether the layered display and architectural design are the point—or whether you prefer a faster, more conventional way to read time.
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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.
