Introducing: The Alterum Worldtimer With A Bold, Flat, And Functional Design Approach

Starting a watch brand from scratch is quite a risky venture. First, you invest a lot of time in developing a design. Then, you need to find other parties who want to help you realize what you had in mind. Finally, you’re dependent on whether people actually want to buy what you created. Because of all these risks, many (new) brands launch watches that look a lot like what’s already out there. Sometimes, though, there are people who go a different way, like Justin Walters from Alterum Watch Co. With the new Alterum Worldtimer, he tried to create a modern-looking timepiece based on more contemporary design and architecture. Whether you like it or not, at least the Alterum Worldtimer is an original-looking watch.

For his first watch, Walters took inspiration from design greats like Braun, Leica, and Ressence. These geniuses of minimalism eliminate clutter and focus on what truly matters. With that philosophy and the Longines Comet in mind, he set out to create his first watch. The result is the Alterum Worldtimer, a watch with an integrated bracelet and a fairly minimalist design, especially when it comes to the dial. Let’s take a look.

The Alterum Worldtimer

Like on the Longines Comet and Ressence’s watches, the Alterum Worldtimer doesn’t feature conventional hands to indicate the time. Instead, the dial consists of several discs rotating around each other. The result is a very flat and spacious matte black frosted dial. Apart from the printing you need to tell the time in various parts of the world, there’s no additional decoration, not even a logo. The font used for the city names and numerals is also very clean. Nothing tries to take your attention away from the basic function of the watch, which is telling the time.

The single line on the central dial indicates the minutes, and the circle on the next disc shows the hours. The actual indexes, including the red one at 12, are on the underside of the flat sapphire crystal, which creates depth on an otherwise flat surface. The next disc carries the 24-hour scale. One half is light gray to indicate daytime.

With the crown at 2 o’clock, you can set the bidirectional city disc, and with the crown at 4 o’clock, you can set the time and wind the movement. Both crowns sit recessed into the case for protection against unforeseen knocks. The crown at 2 shows a red line, while the one at 4 features the Alterum logo, which represents continuous improvement.

Form follows function

The Alterum Worldtimer’s vapor-blasted steel case and bracelet are equally functional. Apart from the basic round case shape, the rest of its lines are straight and angular. The only decoration is the stepped bezel with its polished bevels and the seven lines engraved on the lugs and bracelet links. That bracelet features a butterfly clasp with a dual-push-button release. In addition, the links connect with screws, so it should be easy to size it to your wrist.

Regarding size, the case is 38.5mm wide and 10.5mm thick. Watches with an integrated bracelet always wear a bit bigger, but those dimensions still make this a very wearable watch on wrists of many sizes. The case back is affixed with eight screws, which helps keep the Alterum Worldtimer water resistant to 50 meters. Underneath the case back is the Sellita SW330-2 automatic GMT movement that powers the watch. This well-known movement runs at a frequency of 28,800vph, features 25 jewels, holds a power reserve of 56 hours, and can be serviced by most watchmakers.

By popular request

In the press release, Justin Walters says that he got a lot of positive reactions to the first pictures of the design he shared on Instagram. I can imagine that because I’m also charmed by the Alterum Worldtimer’s functional and minimalist design. The central dial reminds me of the big volume knob on a stand-alone receiver, and I like how the hour markers on the underside of the crystal add some depth. I’m not so sure about the seven engraved lines on the lugs and bracelet. However, they certainly stand out as another original design feature.

The Alterum Worldtimer is made in Switzerland and costs CHF 2,850 before taxes. That’s an ambitious price point for a watch brand’s first model. However, it’s limited to 100 pieces, and for that price, you do get a very original-looking watch. It’s certainly not yet another vintage-inspired diver.

Let me know in the comments below what you think of the Alterum Worldtimer.