The Farer Roche II is a compelling evolution of a romantic complication that has long lived on the fringes of horological practice. World timers, by nature, are flawed, rooted in the idealistic notion of 24 tidy time zones, a concept that has been stretched and distorted by the realities of daylight saving time and geopolitical quirks. Yet, despite these imperfections, the world timers remain one of the most charming complications in watchmaking. Farer’s Roche II offers a modern interpretation that is both aesthetically rich and functionally satisfying.
At the very centre, the Roche II is adorned with a midnight blue dial, styled in a Clous de Paris guilloche pattern that adds texture and depth. This intricate surface plays beautifully with light, creating a dynamic visual experience that elevates the watch beyond mere utility. The chunky, raised Super-LumiNova markers and numerals ensure excellent legibility, contributing to the dial’s dimensionality. Farer has made thoughtful updates to this city ring, replacing Mexico City with Chicago, Hong Kong with Beijing, and Paris with Bienne. These changes, though subtle, reflect Farer’s commitment to relevance and detail. The fact that the entire city ring is lumed adds a playful and impressive touch, making the watch a true spectacle in low light.
Its 39mm diameter, 11mm thickness, and 45mm lug-to-lug measurement strike a near-perfect balance for most wrists. The curved lugs ensure a comfortable fit, and the watch sits flat and unobtrusively, making it suitable for both formal and casual settings. The case finishing is thoughtful and refined, with bead-blasted flanks framed by polished accents and brushed lug faces and bezel.
Powering the Roché II is the ETA 2893-1 automatic movement in top-grade finish, a reliable Swiss caliber commonly found in entry-level GMT watches. Farer has cleverly adapted this movement by replacing the traditional GMT hand with a 24-hour rotating ring that aligns with the city bezel. Once configured, the watch offers a clean and mostly complete view of global time, though daylight savings may still introduce some discrepancies. Still, the Roché II isn’t about precision to the minute; it’s about capturing the spirit of global connectivity and exploration.
Perhaps one of the most surprising highlights of the Roché II is its leather strap. Slim, supple, and immediately comfortable, it contours to the wrist like it’s been worn for years. For someone not typically drawn to leather straps, this one is a revelation. Farer even sells these straps separately, and they’re well worth considering for other watches in your collection.
At $1,550, the Roché II offers exceptional value. Comparable world timers from brands like Longines, Baume et Mercier, and Ball are either discontinued or difficult to find, while Frederique Constant’s Classic Worldtimer Manufacture, though featuring an in-house movement, comes in at nearly triple the price. Farer’s offering stands out not just for its affordability, but for its thoughtful design, wearable proportions, and active world timer complication.
In the end, the Farer Roché II is more than a timepiece; it’s a celebration of the world’s complexity, a nod to the romance of travel, and a testament to the enduring allure of mechanical ingenuity. It may not solve the puzzle of global timekeeping, but it frames it beautifully, allowing you to wear the world on your wrist in 24 luminous slices.