Some colorways naturally lend themselves to a particular watch style. Think, for instance, of a blue-and-red “Pepsi” combination for a GMT watch, stark black and white for a Flieger, or simply the marriage of blued hands over a porcelain-white dial on any number of dress watches. I’m sure I’m missing many more. Some of those combinations are due to practicality, while others result from color theory and how they make us feel.
The blend of gold and deep burgundy in the new Farer World Timer Thorne Gold hints at a luxurious lifestyle. Consequently, it feels perfectly at home in a world-time watch. In 2026, digital tools do a better job of keeping us globally connected and synchronized. However, there’s a special feeling that comes from using a mechanical watch. The crown-operated calibration allows you to appreciate the passage of time around the world.
Thorne in the side
It was two years ago that I reviewed the Farer’s updated World Timer collection, which then comprised the green Foxe, blue Roché, and predominantly white Markham models. I noted back then that the Foxe was the most subtle of the three. That dial color has been retained as the British brand unveils three new versions of the World Timer. The deep green Foxe now sits alongside this burgundy beauty, with the Thorne available with a natural stainless steel or gold-PVD-coated case. Both variants are more alluring surrounded by warmth.
This variant is named after Robert Thorne, one of the first English explorers of North America, who later also had trade connections with Portugal. Aside from the color, Farer hasn’t felt it necessary to make sweeping changes to the dial details. The guilloché pattern remains relatively muted, and the land masses on the central rotating world-time disc are cast in a lighter tone rather than a strong contrast, both of which ensure the decorations do not distract from the functionality.
Large, raised Lumicast markers sit high above the restrained dial details of the Thorne. These alternating Arabic numerals and baton indexes are a blend of ceramic and X1 Super-LumiNova, and whether by day or by night, they signal a more modern twist to an otherwise classically styled watch. Gold-colored hour, minute, and seconds hands (note that the multi-time-zone functionality is displayed using a disc rather than an additional hand) tie the dial back to the warm gold tones of the case.
As good as gold?
So, how much difference does the gold PVD coating make to the World Timer? In my opinion, quite a lot! Farer’s World Timer has always been an elegant take on a functional complication. Although PVD coatings, especially in gold, may not always be to my taste, in this case, it elevates the watch beyond the sum of its parts. There’s no masquerading as a solid-gold watch — in fact, the case appears closer to bronze than either yellow or rose gold. The PVD coating should remain unchanged for longer than bronze would resist patina or gold would stay unblemished.
If the dial is a successful marriage of tradition and modernity, then the same is true of the case. A 39mm diameter (excluding the crowns) and a short 45mm length from lug tip to tip are restrained and manageable for most wrists, yet the case structure features sharp lines running the full profile, creating a recessed area in each case side. Visually, the top and bottom lips catch the light, while the inner areas appear duller. These structural details aren’t new, but they are much more perceptible in this slightly darker case.
The movement
Inside the World Timer Thorne Gold is a modified Sellita SW331-2 automatic caliber. This is an updated version of the older Sellita SW330-2 GMT, with a notable improvement in power reserve to 56 hours. Farer is using the caliber in Elaboré grade, but it displays Top Grade finishing, as seen beneath the custom-decorated rotor. Whereas the standard implementation of a GMT movement like this is to display 24-hour time (set independently from the main hour hand) via a GMT hand and read against a separate hour track or bezel markings, the World Timer reuses that mechanism to drive the central disc and accompanying numerals. The wearer can set this via the main crown at the 3 o’clock position.
The secondary crown, at 10 o’clock, rotates the outer city ring, allowing a quick readout of times in many cities across the globe. Each of the 24 positions on the internal bezel satisfyingly clicks into place.
Wearing thin (or thick?)
I’ve already alluded to some of the dimensions, which are right in the comfort zone for my 17.75cm (7”) wrist. Much of how the World Timer Thorne Gold wears relates to its thickness. With an 11mm profile, the watch isn’t excessive, and any automatic world timer is unlikely to come in much thinner without a bespoke caliber inside. Visually, the sculpted case walls do a great job of hiding the watch’s thickness, and it wears reasonably well, thanks in part to the thick burgundy leather strap. A thinner leather would leave the watch feeling top-heavy, but in its stock form, the strap is a perfect match in color and size.
Other strap options, all with quick-release spring bars, are available at the point of ordering. However, none appear to suit the Thorne Gold quite as well. Farer also offers complimentary engraving on the rear of the watch in a large blank space beneath the exhibition window.
Concluding thoughts
Not much has changed since I spent some time with the previous iterations of the World Timer back in 2024. Still, the combination of a burgundy dial and a gold-tone case makes it feel like the watch has grown up in those two years. As a package, it feels a little more cohesive and understated, yet it still retains some of the brand’s typical characteristics.
The Farer World Timer Thorne Gold costs €1,800 / £1,575 / US$1,790, which feels competitively priced. To purchase or for more information on this or other models, head to the Farer website.
What do you make of the new Farer World Timer Thorne Gold? Let us know in the comments!
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Brad Homes
2026-02-27 12:00:00