When discussing the world’s best watchmakers, it is easy to get caught up in the competing aesthetics and elegant designs produced by various luxury horologists. However, Anderson Genève watches are globally admired for being equally beautiful and innovative as they dedicate their iconic timepieces to pushing the boundaries of watchmaking. The house is led by the highly respected Svend Andersen, who has dedicated much of his life to creating luxury watches. Beginning his career at the celebrated Patek Phillippe, Andersen would later build his own highly successful company, where he saw the development of many notable watches, including the Tempus Terrae. First released in 1990, the Tempus Terrae epitomises Andersen’s commitment to pursuing excellence and horological invention. 

Svend Andersen started his adventure into luxury watchmaking in 1969 at Switzerland’s Montres et Bijoux exhibition, when he showcased his exceptional engineering and detail-orientated skills by assembling a fully working timepiece inside a bottle. This display of Andersen’s talents sparked the interest of industry giant Patek Phillippe, who subsequently offered him a job working for them in 1969. During his tenure, Andersen would work closely on modernising Louis Cottier’s creation of world-time complications. Developed in the 1930s, the mechanism enabled a watch to display the correct hour simultaneously in 24 different time zones. This work would follow Andersen when he embarked on his independent career, eventually unveiling his upgraded version of the Communication 24 watch. In addition, Andersen would develop multiple innovative technologies in the decades he spent building his business, Andersen Genève. Leaving Patek Phillipe in 1979, the Danish watchmaker would make the world timer complication his signature, releasing numerous watch collections centred around the fabled mechanism. This included the Christophorus Columbus, a commemoratory series marking 500 years since the discovery of the ‘New World’ with 500 limited edition world timers, the 1884, the Mundus collection, the thinnest world-time watches ever, and the Tempus Terrae.

The Tempus Terrae was a cornerstone for Anderson Genève, becoming their most successful iteration of the world-time complication. This exquisite timepiece features two crowns—one for winding and setting the watch and the other for adjusting the world time mechanism. Its easy-to-use mechanism allows the wearer to set the time zone by moving the city ring to have their chosen location to the 12 o’clock position and setting the hands to the local time. This action then automatically synchronises the rest of the cities on the watch and sets the 24-hour ring to show the correct time for each area. Furthermore, the worldwide ring is split into a dark half and a light half, making it easier for wearers to distinguish which times are during the day and at night. 

Since its introduction, the Tempus Terrae has been released in several different iterations. For example, in 2015, to celebrate 25 years of world-time watches by Andersen Genève, the brand released a limited-edition series of this masterpiece in yellow gold, red gold, and white gold. More recently, Andersen Genève introduced a captivating pair of Tempus Terrae models in 2022, adorned with Sapphire or Aquamarine baguette-set bezels. The 36 dazzling baguette cut gemstones adorning the 39mm white gold case are intended to complement the BlueGold centre dial synonymous with the Tempus Terrae. Undergoing a metallurgical process, this artisanal material is a fusion of 24-carat gold and traces of iron, creating a shimmering blued gold. This pop of colour in the dial adds a layer of sophistication to the watch that is further elevated by the stunning jewels surrounding it. The world timer display follows the same colour scheme with a white and blue 24-hour ring with a city ring; this is also where the Andersen-A logo is, appearing above Geneva as a nod to the company being based in the Swiss city. Additionally, the meticulous finishing of the case, automatic winding rotor, and movement parts exemplifies the high-end craftsmanship synonymous with Andersen Genève.

In the hands of Andersen Genève, time becomes an art form—a journey through history, innovation, and unparalleled craftsmanship. The Tempus Terrae is not just a watch; it’s a symbol of Andersen Genève’s commitment to producing a timeless elegance in the ever-evolving world of watchmaking. With prices ranging from approximately £40,000 to £100,000, these timepieces are a testament to craftsmanship, luxury, and a rich heritage that spans over five decades.