World Heritage II

Edouard Koehn World Heritage II: New take-off for its Universal Time & Alarm 

The independent Swiss watch brand Edouard Koehn is continuing to develop its collections with its new World Heritage II model equipped with a new guilloché dial and a new Universal Time display, combined with a fine alligator leather strap that enhances the richness of this very watchmaking piece. Combining Universal Time with an alarm function, this classic contemporary timepiece in grade 5 titanium, limited to 88 pieces, is perfectly in tune with the times. 

With this new World Heritage II model, Edouard Koehn offers a pair of complications that are rare on the market: universal time and the alarm function. These two complications are extremely useful to travelers, since one enables them to see at a glance the world time in one of the 24 time zones, while the other enables them to wake up in time to catch their plane. It should be noted that following the 1884 International Meridian Conference in Washington, the Earth was divided into twenty-four time zones, each covering 15 degrees longitude measured from the Greenwich meridian. Subsequently, universal time replaced the multiple times based on local meridians.

To give this classic timepiece, very sixties in its design, a contemporary edge, this Edouard Koehn comes in a 42 mm case, water-resistant to 50 meters. It is made of grade 5 titanium which, as well as being extremely light and hypoallergenic, ensures optimum acoustic performance when the alarm goes on.

The main cities in each time zone appear on the central disc of the dial, which rotates completely in 24 hours. Two large Alpha hands with luminescent material mark the passing of time, combined with applied hour-markers on a splendid glacier-blue guilloché dial. The circumference is reserved for the alarm function, with each hour subdivided into 15-minute segments. The alarm time can be set using the crown at 4 o'clock, and is indicated by a fine hand with a red arrowhead. Despite the wealth of information on the dial, it remains perfectly legible at all times.  

As for the engine, this universal time-alarm features an exclusive automatic mechanical movement developed in collaboration with Concepto, an independent manufacturer of high-end mechanical movements based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland. With a double barrel, it beats at a frequency of 4Hz and offers a generous 48-hour power reserve.

Highlights: 

The Edouard Koehn brand was relaunched in spring 2020. Edouard Koehn (1839-1908) began his career as a watchmaker at the court of the Grand Duchy of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach and created his own eponymous brand in 1891. 

This watchmaker, who headed up Patek Philippe, was always a fan of unique objects and very small series. This spirit is perfectly preserved today with these watches marketed in limited series produced in small quantities in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.