At a special exhibition in May 2012, German luxury watchmaker Glasshüte Original unveiled its most ambitious and complex timepiece yet, the new Grande Cosmopolite Turbillon watch.

Glasshüte Original itself describes the Grande Cosmopolite Tourbillon watch as being, “the most unusual and sophisticated masterpiece in [its] history,” released in a very limited edition comprised of just 25 pieces. At first glance, the appearance of the Grande Cosmopolite Tourbillon certainly supports the company’s statement, the watch displaying a somewhat overwhelming assortment of windows, dials and knobs on its face.

In fact, the Grande Cosmopolite Tourbillon is as technically complex as it looks, but has been cleverly designed with usability in mind, the timepiece particularly geared toward world travelers or those whose lifestyles span multiple time zones at once. Although featuring multiple complications, they are easy to adjust, making this watch unique and aesthetically interesting, while also functional for the modern sensibility.

For years, developers of the Grande Cosmopolite Tourbillon had been working to find a way to harmonize the various mechanisms encompassed within this timepiece. The watch can display the time in two different zones at once, interestingly, set using the IATA or international airport codes and including all 37 time zones of the world. Those who do not have all the IATA codes memorized need not fret, as they are engraved on the watch’s platinum case-back.

The Grande Cosmopolite Tourbillion timepiece uses international airport codes (IATA codes) to display time zones. The IATA codes for various cities are engraved on the watch’s caseback for reference.

When setting the time including the IATA codes, the watch is able to adjust for standard time and daylight savings time, as displayed in the two windows at the bottom left region of the dial, and the time in one other zone. Further, it can be set to move backwards or forwards depending on one’s westward or eastward travel direction, respectively, utilizing a knob at the 2 o’clock position. The dial displays the month, date, and day of the week, also adjusting to time zone changes, this watch essentially requiring no work or thinking, perfectly suited for the weary world traveler.

The Grande Cosmopolite Tourbillion is an attractive watch, its circular 48 mm dial featuring elegant Roman numeral marks set on a simple white background, pleasing blue coloring on several of its displays and incorporating a gold flying minute tourbillion as an homage to Glasshüte Original’s legendary watchmaker Alfred Helwig.

With four patents pending to protect the unique features developed specifically for this intricate timepiece, Glasshüte Original presents one of the most impressive luxury world-time watches to date with its Grande Cosmopolite Tourbillion. The release of this timepiece marks Glasshüte Original’s position as an important, forward-thinking watchmaker to look out for both in the present and into the future, even reflected in Glasshüte Original’s promise to replace the Grande Cosmopolite Tourbillion’s internal IATA disc in the case that nations decide to change their time zone designations.

This limited edition watch is presented in this impressive, globe-esque box.