Earlier this week, Vogard sold its world timer patents and all intellectual property to Richemont-owned IWC. As part of the deal Vogard will cease manufacturing and sales of Vogard watches. Vogard will reportedly continue to supply after sales service.

Vogard’s patented mechanical worldtimer technology (which was originally developed by Thomas Prescher) allows the wearer to adjust the time zone via the bezel after releasing a lever on the side of the case, as opposed to using a crown or pushers.

The lever activates the mechanism which consists of gearing that links the crown and bezel to adjust the hour hands via the bezel. It is then locked back into place once the correct time zone is selected.

It will be interesting to see this unique world timer technology integrated into a brand with the marketing power of IWC. After seeing the ingenious dual bezel system that IWC debuted in the Aquatimer line at SIHH earlier this year, I can only imagine what the watchmakers in Schauffhausen might do to enhance the Timezoner design.