The Hourstriker Verdict
For 2026, Farer updates their successful World Timer collection with a trio of pieces. Two burgundy Throne models and one green Foxe model. Farer also added the choice of having the Foxe or Thorne case covered with a gold PVD treatment. The warm hue of the gold cases really goes nicely with the burgundy and green dials.
— Peter, Editor-in-Chief
British brand Farer has expanded its horological footprint for the 2026 fiscal year with significant updates to its World Timer collection, a series originally established in 2019. The latest release introduces the Thorne, a new reference characterized by a burgundy palette, alongside a gold PVD iteration of the existing Foxe model. These additions represent a material evolution for the line, incorporating titanium nitride-based physical vapour deposition (PVD) to achieve a gilded aesthetic without compromising the structural integrity or corrosion resistance associated with 316L stainless steel. The collection adheres to the established architecture of Farer’s travel complications, utilizing a rotating 24-hour disc synchronized with a bidirectional internal bezel to display 24 time zones simultaneously. This mechanical arrangement distinguishes the World Timer from standard GMT complications, which typically track only two or three time zones via a dedicated hand.
The nomenclature of the new references follows Farer’s tradition of honoring British exploration history. The Thorne is dedicated to Robert Thorne, a Bristol merchant and financier who, between 1501 and 1505, facilitated some of the earliest English voyages to the Americas under King Henry VII. The Foxe pays tribute to Luke Foxe, the Yorkshire-born navigator who charted the Foxe Basin and Foxe Peninsula during his 1631 expedition to locate the Northwest Passage. By offering the Thorne in both standard stainless steel and Gold PVD, and extending the Gold PVD treatment to the green-dialed Foxe, Farer has effectively trifurcated the aesthetic direction of the range, moving from purely utilitarian steel instrument watches into territory that embraces warmer, more opulent metallic tones.
Courtesy of Farer
The Case and Dial
The chassis for the 2026 World Timer collection remains the versatile 39mm case, measuring a slender 11mm in thickness with a lug-to-lug span of 45mm. Constructed from 316L marine-grade stainless steel, the case architecture is defined by a complex interplay of finishing techniques that belie its sub-$2,000 price point. The bezel and lug tops exhibit a fine satin-brushed finish, contrasting sharply with the polished case sides. Further visual depth is achieved through bead-blasted cut-ins on the flanks, a detail that requires precise masking during the finishing process. For the new gold variants, the manufacturer employs a PVD process layered over a base of titanium nitride. This substrate significantly increases the surface hardness, ensuring that the gold finish retains a rich lustre comparable to solid gold while offering superior resistance to tarnishing and environmental abrasion. The case is capped with a domed sapphire crystal treated with an internal anti-reflective coating and ensures water resistance up to 100 meters, validating its utility as a field instrument.
The dial construction is notably labor-intensive, involving over 40 distinct manufacturing processes—nearly triple the industry standard for dials in this segment. The foundation is a textured surface featuring an elegant guilloché pattern, subsequently sealed beneath a layer of polished clear lacquer. This lacquering technique amplifies the depth and saturation of the new burgundy and green colorways, creating a vitrified effect that plays with ambient light. Legibility is addressed through the use of Lumicast numerals and batons; these are not merely printed applications but solid blocks of ceramic composite blended with Grade X1 Super-LumiNova, providing elevated refractive clarity and long-duration luminescence. The periphery of the dial houses the internal bidirectional bezel, actuated by the secondary crown at 10 o'clock, which lists 24 global cities. In the center, the rotating 24-hour disc features a world map motif, colour-matched to the specific reference—copper tones for the Thorne and teal for the Foxe—flanked by a date window at 3 o'clock which also utilizes a colour-matched wheel to maintain visual continuity.
Courtesy of Farer
The Movement
Internally, the World Timer series is powered by the Swiss-made Sellita SW331-2 Elaboré grade calibre. This movement is a specific derivation of the ubiquitous SW330, modified to replace the standard GMT hand with a central rotating disc mechanism. Operating at a frequency of 4 Hz (28,800 vibrations per hour), the movement provides a contemporary power reserve of approximately 56 hours. The "Elaboré" designation indicates a higher standard of regulation and adjustment compared to the base "Standard" grade, ensuring tighter chronometric performance across various positions. The mechanism supports the primary timekeeping functions as well as the quickset date and the hacking seconds feature, which halts the balance wheel for precise synchronization with a reference time source.
Viewable through the sapphire exhibition caseback, the movement displays "Top Grade" decoration, including perlage on the mainplate and bridges. A standout feature of the assembly is the bespoke rotor, which has been customized by Farer to feature a relief pattern. The rotor is colour-matched to the world map depicted on the dial's 24-hour disc, creating a cohesive design language that links the obverse and reverse of the watch. The movement utilizes 25 jewels to reduce friction in the gear train, ensuring long-term reliability for the rotating disc complication, which requires consistent torque delivery to maintain synchronization with the main timekeeping hands.
Courtesy of Farer
The Strap
The visual integration of the watch head is completed by straps that are carefully selected to complement the new dial tones. For the Thorne and Foxe Gold models, the straps appear to be crafted from high-grade leather and suede materials that echo the primary dial colors—deep burgundy for the Thorne and a lush forest green for the Foxe. The use of colour-matched stitching on the leather options demonstrates an attention to detail that reinforces the collection's cohesive aesthetic. The textures range from the soft, matte finish of nubuck or suede, which absorbs light and softens the visual impact of the gold PVD cases, to the slight sheen of grained leather that bridges the gap between dress and field wear.
The lug width is proportionate to the 39mm case, likely adhering to a standard 20mm width which allows for a high degree of aftermarket versatility. However, the stock options provided by Farer are designed to integrate seamlessly with the curved lug profile. The straps are secured with robust hardware, likely finished to match the case material—whether that be the bead-blasted and polished steel or the warm gold PVD. This integration ensures that the watch sits securely on the wrist, balancing the 11mm height and preventing the top-heavy feel often associated with automatic modular complications.
Courtesy of Farer
Pricing and Availability
The 2026 World Timer collection is positioned aggressively within the market, offering a high-complexity dial and Swiss mechanical architecture at a price point that undercuts many direct competitors. The stainless steel Thorne model is priced at $1,715 USD. The Gold PVD variants—the Thorne Gold and the Foxe Gold—command a slight premium due to the additional case finishing processes, retailing at $1,790 USD. These figures represent a strong value proposition given the inclusion of the Top Grade decorated movement and the intricate, multi-stage dial manufacturing.
Availability is immediate through Farer’s direct-to-consumer channels. The distinct price tiering between the steel and gold PVD models allows collectors to choose between a more utilitarian tool-watch aesthetic or a dressier, more luxurious presentation without a prohibitive jump in cost. As with previous Farer releases, the production batches are likely to be managed carefully to maintain quality control over the complex dial assembly, making these models a notable acquisition for enthusiasts of British design and Swiss engineering.
Courtesy of Farer
Technical Specifications
Case: 39mm diameter, 11mm depth, 45mm lug-to-lug; 316L stainless steel (Gold PVD option available); brushed bezel with polished edges; micro-blasted side cut-ins.
Movement: Swiss-made Sellita SW331-2 Elaboré grade; 25 jewels; 56-hour power reserve; bespoke Farer rotor colour-matched to 24-hour disc.
Dial: Textured guilloché with clear polished lacquer; applied Lumicast ceramic/Super-LumiNova batons; central 24-hour disc; internal bidirectional rotating bezel.
Strap: Colour-matched leather or suede options corresponding to dial variants.
Price: Thorne (Steel): $1,715 USD; Thorne Gold & Foxe Gold: $1,790 USD.
Reference Number: Thorne, Thorne Gold, Foxe Gold.
Notes: Water resistant to 100m; domed sapphire crystal with internal anti-reflective coating; exhibition caseback.