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Tested: The Absolute Best GMT Travel Watches for Your Collection

By: Ethan Brehm Published: Oct 25, 2023

By: Ethan Brehm and Johnny Brayson Published: Oct 25, 2023

Contributors

With the holidays upon us, many are preparing for their trips, both near and far. But in order to travel, one needs certain accouterments. A suitcase is essential, a passport sure comes in handy, and comfy travel clothes are a must. And then there’s the GMT travel watch. You may think that you don’t need a watch while on vacation . After all, your phone tells you the time, right? But you’d be wrong, as the best GMT watches are indispensable travel partners.

Yes, your phone tells you the time, but does it tell you the local time as well as the time at home at a glance? Didn’t think so. A GMT watch will do this, offering you the time in two places at once with a quick look at your wrist. Not only that, but the best GMT travel watches will also complement any outfit you have on and act as a companion that accompanies you on all your excursions , making memories alongside you. Are we being just a bit romantic about GMT watches? Maybe, but once you know the history of the GMT watch, it’s hard not to wax poetic about them.

Best GMT Watches Breakdown

Best Quartz GMT

Q Timex GMT 38mm

Best Budget Automatic GMT

Seiko 5 Sports SKX Sports Style GMT

Best Microbrand GMT

Lorier Hyperion Series II

Best GMT Diver

Mido Ocean Star GMT

Best Office GMT

Monta Skyquest

Best Vintage-Inspired GMT

Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Best Quartz True GMT

Grand Seiko SBGN027

Best Overall GMT

Tudor Black Bay GMT

Honorable Mention

Rolex GMT Master II

The gmt’s high-flying history.

Come Fly With Me

GMT watches often conjure images of mid-century jetsetters and playboy pilots — think Leonardo DiCaprio in Catch Me If You Can and you’ll be on the right track. That’s because the watches were born in that era for those types of customers. Back in the early 1950s, long-haul intercontinental flights were becoming more and more common. Pan Am, the largest airline of the day, put out a request to watch companies to develop a watch that could track two timezones simultaneously so pilots could monitor the time at both their destination and origin. Two companies answered the call. The first was Glycine, which unveiled the Airman in 1953. That watch kept time on a 24-hour scale, with a rotating 24-hour bezel for tracking a second timezone. The next year, Rolex introduced the GMT Master. It kept time on a standard 12-hour scale but incorporated a fourth hand that made its way around the dial once every 24 hours. A rotating 24-hour bezel was employed here as well, allowing the wearer to track a second timezone on the fourth hand while still reading their current time on a 12-hour scale. Rolex’s design took off like a rocket, and other manufacturers began producing their own GMT watches based on the Rolex template. The age of the GMT watch had begun.

Video Guide: The Best GMT Travel Watches

While we’re suckers for the written word, nothing beats seeing our favorite GMT travel watches in all of their 4k glory.

Types Of GMT Watches

True Vs. Office

True GMT: When researching GMT watches, you may have come across the term “True GMT” and wondered what it meant. In 1983, Rolex made GMT history again. The brand introduced the GMT Master II, a new version of their travel watch icon with a handy new feature. The movement in the GMT Master II allows you to independently adjust the hour hand without stopping the seconds hand or disturbing the other hands. That means that, if your GMT hand is set to your home time, all you have to do when traveling is pop your hour hand over to quickly set your new local time. It’s a faster and more convenient way to set your watch for travel, and some watch enthusiasts consider it to be the only “true” GMT there is. That’s, of course, nonsense — there were GMT watches for nearly 30 years before this type of movement existed — but GMTs with this type of movement, also called a “flyer” GMT, are slightly better for travel.

Office GMT: The other type of (more common) GMT is the “office” or “caller” GMT. Instead of having an independently adjustable hour hand, these GMTs have independently adjustable GMT hands. This is far more convenient if you want to track a second timezone while you’re at home — as someone in a west coast office may do if they have East Coast colleagues — but it isn’t the most convenient arrangement when traveling.

Having said that, we’re talking about a minute or less in the difference it takes to set your local time on a “true” vs “office” GMT, so really any GMT watch will work just fine when traveling.

How We Tested

Our Selection Process

You could easily make a case that enthusiasm for wristwatches has never been higher than it is right now. We’ve seen a definite influx among younger wearers, who are taken by the idea of mechanical masterpieces adorning their wrists, as well as a plethora of new brands cropping up, many of which have something to offer. Not only that, the market now offers us more variety than we’ve ever seen, with wide-ranging prices as well as an increase in specialization. Sure, this means that there are more options out there to delineate, but it also means that the world is proving that digital technology isn’t always what people want.

Nevertheless, selecting the perfect timepiece in any category or price point has become more difficult. To tackle the task of finding the best GMTs out there, we began by selecting the watches we suspected would be the best candidates. Using both the eye test (e.g., design, color , dial configuration) and our expertise in the space to dig through specs (e.g., size, materials, strap, movement), we whittled all the options down to the ones we thought could be worthy of making the cut for this list. We also factored in price, value, and the reputation of the watch’s manufacturer itself, which is an earned quality in this industry.

And then there was the matter of testing the timepieces themselves. Any watch collector can tell you that, regardless of what you read on paper, you truly have to wear a watch on your wrist to get a feel for it and get a sense of the user experience. After acquiring the demo pieces for our initial shortlist, we put the watches on our wrists and put them through a variety of scenarios to see their fit, comfort, and wrist presence firsthand. The overall process took us weeks, but finally we were able to land on the list of the best GMT watches you see before you.

Why It Made the Cut

• Timex’s retro reissue is an incredibly inexpensive option for those into vintage-style timepieces, featuring an integrated bracelet and Pepsi-style bezel.

Best Quartz GMT: We’re so happy that Timex has been embracing retro-style models with its Q lineup. Inspired by the dive style of the original Q from 1979, this 38mm timepiece is still very much a GMT, with its bi-directional “Pepsi” bezel, domed acrylic crystal, hooded lugs, and functional battery hatch on the caseback. It has loads of nostalgia and is a steal at just over $200.

Recently revived in 2019, the Q Timex Reissue features an integrated bracelet with its 38mm barrel-shaped case. It’s incredibly compact, wears small, and feels even smaller than the dimensions suggest, but we love the sharp, angular styling and mix of vertical and horizontal brushing across the top of the main case. If you’re looking to save some shekels with a quality quartz-powered movement and a retro style, this will be your best bet.

Case Size: 38mm Water Resistance: 50m Movement: Quartz

• Seiko taps into the ethos of its discontinued SKX with this 5 Sports watch, featuring vintage charm, an exhibition caseback, and a fair price tag.

Best Budget Automatic GMT: After Seiko discontinued its beloved SKX dive watch, it revamped its entry-level Seiko 5 Sports range, albeit with loose relation to the outgoing models. However, with the debut of the first-ever GMT in the 5 Sports lineup, it finally gave the SKX the homage it deserved. Harkening back to its progenitor with similar color schemes and design ethos, the new 42.5mm GMT features an independently adjustable fourth hand and a rotating 24-hour bezel.

The larger case helps with visibility, as do the Lumibrite-coated hands and indices and the date window magnifier. It also ditches the 5 Sports’ Oyster-style bracelets and opts for a five-link Jubilee-style stainless steel option instead. We love the exhibition caseback to display the 4R34 movement, and the divisive five-row jubilee bracelet adds some charm and comfort that some third-party options forego. Despite the 100m of water resistance, this one certainly has that vintage Seiko diver character. However, the off-centered push-pull crown at 4 o’clock might make you cautious of taking this timepiece on your most aqueous adventures.

Case Size: 42.5mm Water Resistance: 100m Movement: Automatic GMT with manual winding capability

• Lorier’s handsome vintage-inspired watch is very robust, inexpensive, and endlessly classy.

Best Microbrand GMT: The very first Rolex GMT Master in the 1950s was the ref. 6542. It originally came with a lumed red and blue “Pepsi” bezel made of a plastic predecessor called Bakelite. However, concerns over the brittle bakelite cracking and exposing the radioactive tritium lume below caused Rolex to switch to aluminum bezel inserts after just a few years. These days, original bakelite bezel 6542s regularly sell for six figures, but you can get the same vintage feel for far less with this stunning microbrand GMT.

Series II of Lorier’s Hyperion uses Hesalite for its lumed Pepsi bezel insert and domed crystal, offering serious retro vibes to go with its traffic-stopping looks. For just $100 more than the Seiko GMT above, you can get a true GMT with an independent hour hand at an accessible price point. We love everything about this timepiece, including the price, the mid-century-inspired aesthetic that evokes the heyday of aviation, the robust construction featuring a marine-grade steel case and the aforementioned impact-resistant crystal, and, of course, the classy Pepsi bezel.

Case Size: 39mm Water Resistance: 100m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

• Mido found the perfect middle ground between GMT and dive watch with this Ocean Star, sporting a graduated Pepsi-style bezel.

Best GMT Diver: Dive watch GMTs are becoming more and more popular, as you can see from this guide alone, and while there are several notable examples, our favorite has to be this Pepsi-bezeled Ocean Star from Mido. Whether you’re jet-setting or simply heading out on the trail –– or both –– this 44mm timepiece will do the trick. Boasting 200m of water resistance, the true GMT could have easily copied the styling of the iconic Rolex, but instead, Mido does its own thing with a fixed internal 24-hour bezel on top of the traditional rotating one on the outside.

Mido is a member of the Swatch Group. That means the brands have access to some of the same movements, such as the ETA Powermatic 80 GMT caliber that’s found here, with 80 hours of power reserve. Sure, the 44m steel case feels heftier on the wrist, but that translates to a superb wrist presence for those who want a bit more attention on their timepiece. Fortunately, the flat sapphire crystal helps with the thickness, erring more towards a modern styling in that regard. In terms of the bracelet , we also loved how you could adjust it quickly thanks to the double push button system within the clasp.

Case Size: 44mm Water Resistance: 200m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

• With 300m of water resistance, the Skyquest from Monta showcases the brand’s unique design language while featuring superb on-wrist comfort.

Best Office GMT: American-owned and Swiss-made, Monta is one of the most highly-regarded microbrands in the business, and the Skyquest is arguably their best watch. The finishing is comparable to watches that cost twice as much, the fully-articulating bracelet features a quick-adjust clasp, the bezel is made of scratch-resistant ceramic, the water resistance is an impressive 300m, the hands are diamond-cut and rhodium-plated, and the GMT hand sports a quirky and ingenious bend that allows it to clear the applied indices while reaching to the outer edges of the dial.

Opposed to some other office GMT models, the Skyquest may be a little pricier, but with that price, you get a lot more than you’ve bargained for. This includes the in-house M-23 automatic movement , the overall build quality and finishing, and the Coke bezel, which nods to Rolex’s Pan Am collab in the ’80s. At 40.7mm across, the timepiece wears slightly smaller than you’d expect thanks to the lugs, which curve slightly towards the wrist. Operating with its own unique design language, the Skyquest is truly a sight to behold in person, with its features popping off the wrist and its contrast lending to nice visibility. We also love the bracelet, which features fully articulating links and supreme comfort.

Case Size: 40.7mm Water Resistance: 300m Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT

• Longines nods to its aviation-filled past with the Spirit Zulu Time, which pops off the wrist thanks to its 18K gold accents and handsome design.

Best Vintage-Inspired GMT: Longines may be one of the oldest Swiss watch manufacturers in existence — the brand was founded in 1832 — but they remain on the cutting edge of the industry, even credited with having the first watch with more than one time zone. Last year, it added a true GMT to its Spirit line. Named after a watch from about 100 years ago (which took its name from the military term for “GMT”), the Zulu Time is a watch made for true globetrotters, with 72 hours of power reserve and an independently set hour hand.

As classy as ever, the Spirit Zulu Time is a pilot’s watch through and through, with inspired colorways, a 72-hour power reserve, superb dial visibility, and easy adjustment. At a wearable 39mm, the stainless steel timepiece was dropped down a few sizes from its 42mm predecessor and the difference in comfort is noticeable on-wrist. Aesthetically, the 18K yellow gold accents truly pop and bring a great deal of wrist presence to the timepiece. Not to mention, Longines has several other variants if this handsome anthracite version isn’t for you.

For a deeper dive, read our Longines Spirit Zulu Time watch review .

Case Size: 39mm Water Resistance: 100m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

• Pricier for a quartz watch, Grand Seiko proves that it’s movements are no cheap endeavor, while also finding a compromise between sportiness and class.

Best Quartz True GMT: The first watch to feature a GMT version of Grand Seiko’s lauded 9F High-Accuracy Quartz movement — arguably the best quartz movement in the world — this may be the ultimate “grab and go” travel watch. Accuracy is conservatively rated to within 10 seconds per year (1 second per year anecdotes are not unheard of), the finishing is easily the best you can get for the price thanks to Grand Seiko’s famed distortion-free Zaratsu polishing, and the handmade, fully-decorated, thermocompensated movement is a “true” GMT. Plus, it’s got looks for days.

Decidedly sportier than Grand Seiko’s typical options, this SBGN027 is certainly more expensive than your average quartz piece, but here it serves to preserve the timekeeping of the watch itself. Even when the offset crown is pulled out, the quartz GMT continues to keep the time. In-person, the 39mm diameter and 45.9mm lug size are about as perfect of proportions as you can get for everyday watch wearing. We’re also fans of the fixed 24-hour bezel with its black embossing and radial-brushed steel. The three-link steel bracelet looks beautiful, matching the case finish, and is easy to adjust with the screw posts and push-button clasp.

Case Size: 39mm Water Resistance: 200m Movement: Quartz “True” GMT

• Tudor’s near-perfect GMT utilizes its iconic Black Bay as the base layer, continuing to challenge conventions while maintaining a traditional ethos.

Best Overall GMT: As the more affordable sister brand to Rolex, Tudor has long had the reputation of offering Rolex quality and style for less eye-watering prices. And that’s never been more true than with this modern classic. Based on the brand’s popular vintage-inspired Black Bay diver, this GMT boasts a bi-directional bezel with a beautiful aluminum Pepsi insert, a subtly textured dial, and an in-house automatic movement with a “true” GMT function. It’s the closest one can get to a Rolex GMT — vintage or modern — without coming close to approaching the five-figure mark.

First debuting in 2018, the Black Bay GMT is still a favorite today. Boasting 200m of water resistance, this piece may have some definite diver properties, but we love it as a travel watch the most. Inside the 24-hour Pepsi bezel is a pearl-like opaline white dial, which is a nice change of pace from the typical dark GMT dials. Despite the modern touches, this automatic true GMT has some vintage design cues, including the aforementioned bezel with its coin edge and the domed sapphire crystal. Hopefully, Tudor will soon include its T-Fit adjustment system on the newer Black Bay GMTs, even if the bracelet is still really comfortable.

For a deeper dive, read our Tudor Black Bay GMT watch review .

Case Size: 41mm Water Resistance: 200m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

• You can’t have a “Best GMT” list without including the most lusted-after GMT in the world.

Honorable Mention: You knew this was coming. The descendent of the original GMT watch, the GMT Master II remains the most lusted-after GMT in the world. The waitlist to purchase a new stainless steel Pepsi bezel variant is years long, and they routinely sell for more than double the retail price on the secondhand market. But the watch commands such demand for a reason. It’s unspeakably gorgeous, with an iconic design that few watches in the world can match. It’s also robust, dependable, and luxurious, and there’s not a person alive who wouldn’t want one of these on their wrist while traveling the globe.

As legendary as the Rolex GMT is, we couldn’t acquire the watch in time to perform in-studio testing. However, of all the pieces here, the reputation of the GMT Master II should be able to precede it.

Case Size: 40mm Water Resistance: 100m Movement: Automatic “True” GMT

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12 Best GMT Watches for Travel at Every Budget in 2024

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Next to a global Soho House membership and blackout shades, few things are more useful for travel than the best GMT watches. Also known as second or dual time zone, a GMT watch keeps track of the time where you’re at and in a second time zone. It’s the favorite complication among connoisseurs and novices alike, thanks to its practicality.

It’s a great time to get acquainted with GMT watches now that globe-trotting is the norm. From massive to micro, tons of brands are making them, and at low price points, making it easier than ever to keep track of more than one time zone.

Whether you want to stay up to date with mom or the office back home as you travel, scoring a handsome GMT watch on a budget is no longer a pipe dream—but not all are created equal.

A truly stand-out GMT watch needs to have a legible dial and reliable, high-quality movement. While it doesn’t necessarily need to have any other features, it does need to look good (at least to the wearer). Whether it’s got a fourth hand on the dial or a bi-rotational bezel, the best GMT watches need to keep track of a 24-hour time scale with grace and ease.

Key Takeaways 

The Baltic Aquascape is one of the best GMT watches, thanks to its precise movement, nostalgic yet unique look, and easy-to-read dial, all at a great price point.

For an even steeper deal without having to sacrifice traditional looks or functions, turn to the Timex Waterbury or sportier Citizen Promaster Diver with Eco-drive.

• What to look for
• Final Verdict

1. Best Overall GMT Watch: Baltic Aquascaphe GMT

Reasonably priced and beautifully rendered, Baltic’s Aquascaphe GMT pays homage to the near unattainable 60’s Rolex Pepsi GMT without feeling like a rip-off. Considering it’s also a French microbrand , a purchase from Baltic feels special. The Aquascaphe has everything you could want from a traditional GMT with its own unique style and look.

Coming in gray, green, or orange, it features a bi-directional bezel, iconic rubber tropic straps , and self-winding Swiss Soprod movement. Against a black dial finish, white Super-luminova hands are easy to read at a glance, especially in the dark. And there’s a sapphire insert for scratch resistance and a neat little date window at 6 o’clock.

Easy to find and of great value, the Aquascahpe is quickly becoming an icon on its own.

Diameter: 39mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Rubber | Movement: Automatic

2. Best Microbrand GMT Watch: The New York Iota GMT Collection

Perhaps the cleanest face on this list, Iota’s GMT watch exemplifies minimalist beauty. The collection offers four different models representing different cities in different time zones around the world, but I’ve chosen New York because it’s where I live. The brownstones of each borough serve as inspiration, coupled with a tan strap and golden case against a crisp matte white dial with golden lines. Choose from a variety of strap colors.

As a brand, Iota combines minimalist British design cues with Swiss manufacturing and Swiss-made Ronda 515.34H movement. Each watch is crafted from stainless steel with a glossy brushed metal finish for a clean, expensive look. Oh, and don’t forget easy quick-release straps.

Diameter: 40mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Leather | Movement: Automatic

3. Best GMT Dress Watch: Nomos-Glashuette Tangomat GMT 

It’s hard having expensive taste, but even the Tangomat GMT comes in at a decent price point considering all you’re getting. This watch is absolutely beautiful, from clear lines and angular form to the tempered blue steel hands and touch of red against the oversized white face. The beautiful strap is crafted in Horween genuine shell cordovan leather.

But my favorite feature is the window display where airport codes denote the 24 time zones. All it takes is one push of a button to switch your location moments from NYC to RIO before you land. It’s different, but that’s what makes it fun.

Diameter: 31mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Leather | Movement: Automatic

4. Best Budget GMT Watch: Citizen ProMaster Diver

Long gone are the days when you had to spend big on a GMT watch. Citizen proves that quality at a low price point that’s not only attainable but downright attractive. Ideally, Citizen Promaster Diver is a great summer sports watch, thanks to bright colors and 200 meters of water resistance. But regardless of season, it’s a feature-packed timepiece for a staggeringly great price.

Anti-reflective sapphire is common on more expensive watches. But luminous white hands and markers against a clear face make the dial easy to read. The band also happens to be extremely comfortable.

But perhaps its coolest feature is the Eco-drive movement, the first of its kind. This means the watch is powered by light, and not just sunshine, but any light, including artificial. Now that’s a feature worth getting used to.

Diameter: 44mm  | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Stainless Steel | Movement: Eco-drive

5. Best GMT Watch Under 500: Seiko SSK001 5 GMT 

The Seiko 5 Sports line has put out some fantastic variations since its reintroduction in recent years, but an automatic watch with a fourth hand for GMT ? Talk about balling on a budget. The brand pulls it off beautifully by simply modifying the movements for the world traveler,  who is concerned with function above all else.

True to Seiko form, it’s a well-built watch with excellent details and movement you can count on. The deep blue and black bezel against a shiny steel bracelet is eye-catching. And for under $500, quite frankly, it feels like a steal .

Diameter: 42.5mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Stainless Steel | Movement: Automatic

6. Best GMT Quartz Watch: Timex Waterbury Traditional GMT 

These days, getting your hands on the Timex Q is a struggle. The Waterbury Traditional GMT is a great fill-in with a slightly higher-end look, in my opinion. The green, red, and white hands are particularly attractive. And because it’s easy to dress up or down, it’s great for daily wear.

A colored rotating bezel that tracks an additional time zone, 100 meters of water resistance, and a quick-release strap are all features found on higher-end watches. Oh, how I love traditional looks and functionality at dirt-cheap prices. Seriously, this affordable gmt watch will only set you back a couple hundred bucks.

Another modern iteration of a vintage body, the Waterbury pays homage to the original Timex, the Waterbury Clock Company, founded in 1854.

Diameter: 39mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Leather | Movement: Quartz

7. Best Pilot GMT Watch: Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT

A rotating 24-hour bezel is a must-have feature for aviation. The Zodiac Super, a nod to the Zodiac Sea Wolf of the 1960s , is timelessly stunning, thanks to the gold bezel that can tell time in a third time zone and the matching middle strip of gold on the bracelet.

Pilots also need to be able to see well at a quick glance, so the reserved black dial provides the perfect backdrop for those white hands to really pop. Couple that with the deep 200 meters water resistance, and you’ve got one of the best GMT watches for flight .

Diameter: 40mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Stainless Steel | Movement: Automatic

8. Best Vintage GMT Watch: Pre-Owned Rolex GMT-Master 

If you’re going to go vintage, what’s better than the OG? This is the 1994 model, but there’s no mistaking the blue and red bezel, an iconic feature of the GMT Master Rolex launched in 1954 . It holds the title of the first timepiece to track two time zones simultaneously. Perfect for pilots, why not you?

Actually, thanks to the bi-rotational bezel, it’s possible to track up to three time zones at once. A classic look in excellent condition, this model also boasts a chronometer and 100 meters of water resistance.

If purchasing vintage leaves you feeling unsure, just know that Tourneau has very strict certified pre-owned watch quality standards with a 30-point inspection. The retailer itself has been around since 1900.

Diameter: 40mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: stainless Steel | Movement: Automatic

9. Best GMT Watch Under 1,000: Bulova Wilton GMT

I love how the Tangomat captures the spirit of travel, but the Bulova Wilton takes an elegant stab at it as well. Handsome and refined, it resides in the premium tier of automatic self-winding movements, with a high-quality independently adjustable GMT hand. This makes it easy to set the hand to another timezone without affecting accuracy. Phew.

It’s not just movement that the Bulova offers up. A beautiful silver tone stainless steel case is quite the backdrop for a blue 4-hand GMT dial, striking Roman numeral markers, and a world map dial for some perspective. Pair it with the anti-reflective dome, and you’ve got one of the best GMT watches money can buy.

Diameter: 43mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Leather | Movement: Automatic

10. Best Automatic GMT Watch: Bulgari Aluminum GMT

I could’ve included any number of automatic GMT watches, but there is something so special and unique about this one. Maybe it’s in the limited-edition name, the Amerigo Vespucci Special, a nod to the spirit of travel. Or maybe it’s the Bugatti-esque appearance, that eye-catching combo of black and yellow that comprises the inner dial second time zone ring.

Either way, like a fine Italian car, Bulgari’s Aluminum is not only beautiful but comfortable, too. You can thank rubber for that. The black rubber strap locks at the center of the case for a flexible, secure fit. There’s also a black rubber bezel with the BVLGARI engraving and an added rubber insert for shock resistance.

Meanwhile, the hands are rhodium plated for extra strength and luster. No matter how you spin it, this is clearly one of the best GMT watches.

Diameter: 40mm | Case Material: Aluminum Titanium | Strap: Rubber | Movement: Automatic

11. Best GMT Dive Watch: Mido Ocean Star GMT

As the name implies, the Mido Ocean Star is one of the best GMT watches for aquatics . Again, here’s another well-priced watch with loads of features. But its most stand-out accomplishment is time-keeping . Imagine that.

Here is a solid yet refined dive watch from an established Swiss brand . Mido is a part of Swatch Group and gets its 80-hour power reserve automatic movement from the premier sister company, ETA. It’s also serving precision with a Nivachron balance spring, a titanium-based alloy that protects against shocks and the effects of time.

As for looks, a rich attractive navy bezel with a deeper navy dial matches the beautifully woven strap , made from a leather front and synthetic back. Perfect for breathability and comfort. For just over the $1,000 price tag, I think it’s a yes.

Diameter: 44mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Leather Front, Synthetic Back | Movement: Automatic

12. Best Value GMT Watch: Monta Atlas

With all the trappings of luxury at an attainable price point, the Monta Atlas is one of the best GMT watches out there. Whether you’re traveling, working, or out exploring, it’s a utilitarian looker that puts in work.

Seriously, this thing is built like a tank. Not only is the bracelet strong, but it’s comfortable, thanks to a highly adjustable clasp and two half-links to create your perfect fit. A 56-hour power reserve makes it ideal for daily wear and refined Sellita SW330 automatic movements means it runs like a charm.

To me, function must meet form to be considered the best. And boy, does the Atlas hold up. Red entails and rhodium-plated diamond-cut sword-style hands with Super-LumiNova pop against the deep charcoal dial. Polished bevels and a brushed sunburst finish on the bezel bring high shine. If you’re going to add one GMT watch to your wardrobe , this should be it.

Diameter: 38.5mm | Case Material: Stainless Steel | Strap: Stainless Steel | Movement: Automatic

What To Look For In A GMT Watch

A watch is no good if you can’t even read it. A cluttered dial isn’t ideal. The best GMT watches have either a dark dial and light-colored hands or a clean, light dial and hands that pop.

Generally, a fourth hand indicates the GMT time zone denoted on the bezel, while a rotating bezel allows for keeping track of an additional time zone. The Tangomat even created an entirely new style of time zone tracking with an airport code window.

If you’re flush with cash, by all means, feel free to splurge on the best GMT watches. However, there are some truly amazing watches in the $1,000-$3,000 price range and even lower, so it’s really not necessary to spend a ton unless you want to.

Final Verdict 

Without a doubt, the Baltic Aquascaphe is a top-tier choice. From its attractive price point, iconic vintage style, and bevy of features, including Super-LumiNova hands and Swiss movement, it’s one of the best GMT watches to put on your wrist.

“Greenwich Mean Time,” meaning the solar time at the Royal Observatory in London. It’s how the rest of the world’s time zones are compared. However, GMT watches can typically be set to any other additional timezone of your choosing.

GMT is always set to 0 on a watch and follows a 24-hour clock. It’s geared to turn half as quickly as 12-hour hands. To set your time zone, simply turn the hand according to the corresponding number of your time zone (Germany is +1, for example).

As global travel increases, it’s common to be in multiple time zones throughout the week. Whether you’re keeping time as you travel from home or work or want to keep track of a loved one living abroad, the best GMT watches are essential.

Why not? Depending on your needs, you could use it infrequently or daily. Considering the affordable price points on some fine watches, there’s no reason a GMT watch can’t be a part of your typical repertoire.

Rachel Cascella is an in-house writer at Fashion Beans with 14 years of experience in the fashion industry, balancing her knowledge of cutting-edge trends with a penchant for truly timeless style.

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THE COLLECTIVE

European Watch Company – Est. 1993

The 24 Best GMT Watches to Buy Now

Published by samuel colchamiro.

View all posts by Samuel Colchamiro

A GMT is often one of the first complications collectors explore when branching out beyond time-only watches. Favored by travelers since the dawn of commercial aviation in the early 1950s, the GMT has remained a fixture due to its ability to simultaneously track multiple time zones. Read through for our complete guide to the GMT, including a brief history, proper use, and our favorite picks at varying price-points. 

A Brief History

Prior to the birth of commercial aviation, there really wasn’t much need for tracking multiple time zones. A watch would simply be set to the local time and then stay there. Even for those traveling by boat, upon arrival, passengers would just reset their watches to the time at the destination. When commercial flight became popular, however, and pilots regularly crossed time zones, issues began to surface. To communicate with air traffic control and safely navigate arrival in a new location, pilots had to be sure that they could reference the time at a destination. To solve this problem, in 1953 Glycine introduced the “Airman”, a timepiece capable of displaying two 24-hour time zones simultaneously (a home time and a local time). 

That said, the birth of the GMT (Greenwich Mean Time) is generally attributed to Rolex, who debuted the original ref. 6542 GMT Master just one year later in 1954. Created specifically for Pan Am pilots, the GMT Master has become the quintessential expression of the complication and has set the standard against which every other brand measures their GMT’s. In addition to a conventional hour hand, the original GMT Master included a 24-hour hand that was wedded to the conventional hour. Thus, at 12 noon, the 24-hour hand would be at 6, and at midnight, it would be at 12. In order to track the second time zone, the wearer would rotate the 24-hour bezel by the number of hours between the local and destination times so that the 24-hour hand pointed to the hour at the destination. 

Modern GMT’s have since evolved, with most employing a 24-hour hand that is no longer tied to the standard hour hand. This seemingly small change means you no longer have to utilize the bezel to track a second time zone and actually allows you to track a third if you do use it.

The ref. 6542 GMT was a tremendous success as a result of its legibility and simple operation, and in the years since, dozens of watch brands have introduced their own versions of the complication. Let’s take a look at some of our favorite GMT models on the market today.

Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi” Ref. 126710BLRO

There is no more logical place to begin a compilation of the greatest GMT watches ever made than with the Rolex GMT-Master II in its most classic configuration, the “Pepsi” (sorry Batman fans). The ref. 126710BLRO is Rolex’s most recent take on the design, a clear evolution of the original from 1954. With this latest reference (introduced in 2018), there is more that’s the same than different from previous models, with the conventional Oyster stainless steel case, Jubilee bracelet, classic red and blue bezel, and dial layout. That said, this piece brings a number of contemporary refinements to the table, including a ceramic bezel insert (rather than the scratch-prone aluminum found on the earlier ref. 16710), and the updated caliber 3285 with 70-hours of power reserve. If you are in the market for a classic modern GMT, this is the first place to look, although half of me feels that a collector’s first GMT should always be vintage! Vintage GMT’s have a completely different feel on the wrist, and I think that before buying a 126710BLRO, you may want to look at one of the many vintage offerings that are available. It’s a completely different animal, and it might just be for you. 

Rolex GMT-Master “Pepsi” Ref. 1675

While the modern “Pepsi” might be the most popular GMT on the market, it doesn’t get more classic than a vintage ref. 1675 GMT-Master like this one. The 1675 was produced in various forms from 1959 all the way until 1979/1980, making it one of the longest production runs for a single reference Rolex. Unlike the modern Pepsi, the 1675’s GMT hand was tied to the hour hand. This meant that you could only track two time zones (instead of three) and that setting the second time zone was done using the bidirectional rotating bezel. Beyond the specs and functionality, there is just something incredibly charming about a vintage Rolex, a vintage Pepsi in particular. The faded bezel insert and patinated hands and hour markers are just not something you see on the modern iterations. If you are looking for a GMT with real history and character, it doesn’t get any better than the ref. 1675 Rolex GMT Master “Pepsi”.

Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 116748SARU

If you love the classic Pepsi aesthetic, but are looking for a travel watch that is a little more special, a little flashier, the Rolex GMT-Master II Ref. 116748SARU checks all the boxes. The watch features the traditional blue and red bezel colorway, but instead of a ceramic insert, if is made up of brilliant blue sapphires, red rubies and white diamonds. If that wasn’t enough, the watch comes on a full yellow gold Oyster bracelet. Produced between 2010 and 2020, this rare piece sells for well above $100,000 on the secondary market.

Rolex Left-Handed GMT Master II “Destro” Ref. 126720VTNR

Our final selection from Rolex stands out as a true unicorn in the relatively reserved GMT Master collection. The ref. 126720VTNR “Sprite” GMT Master II Destro shocked the luxury watch market when it debuted in 2022 and remains a controversial addition to the collection to this day. Rolex’s choice to target a niche market within the consumer base had broader implications than just making a left-handed variant. In order to reconfigure the crown, the entirety of the movement layout had to be reworked. The date flipped sides and the crown now had to wind the movement from the left side rather than the right. From the exterior, it’s easy to assume reworking a watch is a simple feat, but the reality is entirely different. This is one of the only left-handed or “destro” GMT’s available today (or ever for that matter!), and we think it deserves a place on any assemblage of GMT’s. Perhaps we will see Rolex expand their left-handed offerings in the years to come. Only time will tell.

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante

Moving from mainstream to independent, next up is the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante. Parmigiani is a Swiss independent manufacturer that has been making watches since 1996. When the company received the “Watch of the Year” award for their 2006 Bugatti 370 driving watch, it helped catapult the brand into the world of recognizable small-production manufacturers. The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante captures the aesthetic of the brand, but with a brilliant mechanical twist. When the GMT function is no longer needed, by pressing the pusher integrated into the crown, the hour hand jumps back to cover over the GMT hand, returning the watch to a typical two-hand display. Parmigiani utilized a mechanism typically found in split-seconds chronographs to develop this unique jumping hand display. This is one of the many reasons why boutique manufacturers are so interesting – they come up with mechanical solutions that mainstream brands would never even dream of!

Tudor Black Bay Pro GMT Ref. 79470

Hailing from the more affordable end of the spectrum, the recently released Tudor Black Bay Pro GMT can best be described as an homage to the Rolex Explorer II. A textured black dial, “fauxtina” lume plots and handset, fixed steel bezel, sapphire crystal and yellow accented GMT hand all help to give this watch strong retro and modern vibes at the same time. Size-wise, the piece is quite contemporary at 39mm in diameter, and it has a strong presence on the wrist. The matte dial finish and optional riveted bracelet tell a different story, harkening back to the days of early Rolex sports models. For around four thousand dollars, this watch provides a lot of value as a dependable GMT with recognizable design and solid construction. And as the Black Bay is a dive watch, you still get 200 meters of water resistance. As with many Tudor watches, this piece has the polarizing snowflake hand, but if you don’t mind that, there’s not much to fault on this one. 

Tudor Heritage Black Bay GMT Ref. 79830RB

Before Tudor introduced the Black Bay Pro, the brand’s flagship GMT was the Heritage Black Bay GMT, reference 79830RB. This model was essentially Tudor’s take on the Rolex GMT Master II “Pepsi” detailed earlier in this post. The red and blue rotating bezel, black dial, and stainless steel bracelet all call to mind the classic look of vintage Pepsi GMT’s. While the look of this watch is quite traditional, there are a number of details that deserve a second look before choosing to buy one of these for yourself. Most importantly, the Heritage Black Bay GMT sports a more sizable 41mm case vs the Black Bay Pro’s 39mm and it certainly feels quite a bit larger on the wrist. When you distill the watch down to its specs, the Heritage Black Bay GMT is quite a compelling option as a lower priced alternative to the GMT Master from Rolex. The fundamental aesthetics are all there, and every year the Black Bay collection just gets more and more popular. 

Grand Seiko Sport Collection Spring Drive GMT Ref. SBGE277G

Our next pick is not only a great GMT, but also an excellent representation of what Grand Seiko is all about. The Sport Collection GMT reference SBGE277G incorporates Grand Seiko’s beloved spring drive technology, featuring both the mechanics of a conventional automatic movement and the accuracy afforded by a quartz regulator. In addition to the movement, the hand engraved and painted dial is another highlight. Between the movement, the dial, and the elegant Zaratsu polished case, this watch has all of the features that are distinctively Grand Seiko. As is the common complaint for Grand Seiko, the only part of the watch that leaves me wanting a bit is the bracelet. I think the brand could benefit from a bit more attention to this component’s design, but it really is a minor complaint compared to the rest of the piece. Even given the sporty design, there’s an underlying sophistication to the watch that would make it right at home even in a dressier setting. 

Grand Seiko Hi Beat 36000 GMT Peacock SBGJ227

Our second Grand Seiko pick, the Ref. SBGJ227G Hi Beat 36000 GMT “Peacock” is a bit more traditional in terms of look and feel. There’s no doubt that the Spring Drive movement represents one of the more significant strides in mechanical watchmaking in the last 50 years, but that said, many purists find the movement to be too progressive. While I personally appreciate the Spring Drive, there are plenty of collectors that disagree with me. Grand Seiko offers something to these collectors as well though. The brand has developed a “Hi Beat” line of movements, which feature a higher beat frequency (10 beats per second) over the slower traditional movements. This has the effect of making for a smoother seconds hand operation. The SBGJ227 Peacock combines the Hi Beat technology with one of Grand Seiko’s beautifully engraved dials. The watch also features the classic hallmarks of the Japanese brand’s fine finishing and craftsmanship, including micro-faceted indexes and sporty dauphine hands. Featuring a fixed bezel with no insert or scale, this piece is a bit less sport and a bit more everyday friendly than our previous pick. These Grand Seiko’s represent two of the best GMT’s the brand has ever produced and remain excellent options for collectors of all kinds. 

Jaeger LeCoultre Grande Reverso GMT Ref. 302.84.20

A personal favorite of mine, the Jaeger LeCoultre Grande Reverso GMT Ref. 302.84.20 boasts not only a GMT complication but a number of others as well. The first time zone, aperture date, day/ night indicator, and subsidiary seconds are all displayed on the main dial. The reverse side features the second time zone, GMT, secondary day/night indicator, and power reserve. Both dials are intricately finished with guilloché on the front side, and an Art Deco sector style on the reverse dial. What makes this and many other JLC models so compelling, is that the brand is arguably the most undervalued fine watchmaker, affording serious complications at an accessible price point. The sheer number of functions present on this piece is mind boggling. Plus, the Reverso is an iconic design recognizable to any collector. The Reverso ref. 302.84.20 is a great option if you are looking for a GMT with a little bit more going on.

Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Chronograph GMT Navy Seals Ref. Q178T471

While Jaeger LeCoultre is certainly known as the “watchmaker’s watchmaker”, perhaps it should also be known as the Navy Seals’ watchmaker. In the early 2000’s, JLC made a number of limited edition watches for the US Navy Seals, including this Master Compressor Diving Chronograph GMT (limited to 500 pieces). While the watch is a larger 46mm in diameter, it is incredibly light due to its titanium case construction. The piece features a black dial and ceramic bezel giving it a very rugged and utilitarian design. Additionally, it also features a tri-register chronograph and GMT complication. The dark GMT hand blends in with the dial a bit, so there are some legibility issues. However, the Jaeger LeCoultre Master Compressor Diving Chronograph GMT Navy Seals offers a lot of bang for your buck, as a GMT, a diver and a chronograph all rolled into one.

Blancpain Villeret Reveil GMT Alarm Ref. 6640-1127-SSB

We’ve featured Blancpain’s Villeret model line in the past, but the GMT Alarm reference 6640-1127-SSB offers an interesting combination of complications that you aren’t likely to find elsewhere at such an attractive price. This piece in particular offers not only a GMT function, but a power reserve, date, and alarm as well. Perhaps the best thing about this piece is that in spite of the complications, the watch maintains an unusually simple and legible aesthetic. The serpentine GMT hand points to an inner 24-hour scale and adds a little bit of panache to the design that I really appreciate. From a wearability standpoint, at 40mm and 12mm thick, the watch will be a comfortable fit on most wrists. Given its mix of class and playfulness, the Blancpain Villeret Reveil GMT Alarm is a great option for those looking for a slightly left of center GMT on the dressier side. 

Blancpain Le Brassus Complete Calendar GMT Ref. 4276-3642-55B

Next up on the list is an excellent vintage-inspired complete calendar from Blancpain. The Ref. 4276-3642-55B Le Brassus Complete Calendar GMT is certainly a dressy watch, but it borrows its layout and aesthetic from some of its vintage predecessors. Housed in an 18k rose gold case, the Complete Calendar GMT boasts a pointer date and moon phase displays, adding a little extra complication to the mix. Like the Villeret Reveil GMT Alarm, the GMT track is displayed in a central 24-hour ring on the dial. The other point of interest is the case profile, which features a double stepped ogee (once again a nod to older references), polished through the midcase and onto the caseback. You get a lot for your money with this model plus the functionality of the GMT.

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Ref. 103467

The Bulgari Octo Finissimo has garnered something next to a cult following since it was first released back in 2014. The collection features an extremely unique case and bracelet design, both of which are extremely thin (a few models from the the collection are some of the thinnest mechanical watches in the world). The reference 103467 Chronograph GMT, is one of our favorite variations of the Octo Finissimo. The watch couples a chronograph and secondary time zone function located within the 3 o’clock subdial. At 8.75mm thick, you would be hard-pressed to find a thinner mechanical chronograph on the market, let alone one with a GMT function as well. To achieve this level of thinness, Bulgari uses a peripheral rotor to power the self-winding mechanism. The ref. 103467 has a sunburst blue dial with white subdials, creating a unique and attractive reverse-panda-style dial . If you are a looking for a modern icon to add to your collection, the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is a great choice. 

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Master Co-Axial Chronometer Chronograph GMT 43 Ref. 231.13.43.52.03.001

If you are in the market for a versatile tool watch, Omega offers quite the selection. Relatively simple and concise in its design language, the Aqua Terra line has always stood out as a toned down diver. Unlike its competitor, the Rolex Oyster Perpetual, the main benefit of these Aqua Terra models is that they are still relatively affordable. While almost any Aqua Terra can be found for under $10k (outside of precious metal models), they still offer a solid Swiss-made movement, consistent reliability, and Omega’s pedigree. The Aqua Terra is an excellent watch to start a watch collection with. Like the Bulgari discussed previously, this Ref. 231.13.43.52.03.001 Aqua Terra is a compound GMT and chronograph with automatic winding. It’s attractive, functional and a solid buy at right around $5,000.

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black GMT 600M Co-Axial Ref. 215.92.46.22.01.002

Now if you’re looking to make a statement with your GMT, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black GMT is a great option. Omega has recently started to experiment with mixed materials on their watches, leading us to the Deep Black which offers a Ceramic Zirconium Dioxide case, Zirconium Dioxide bezel, black dial, and a kevlar/rubber strap. Blue accents are scattered throughout as the only flashes of color on the monochromatic watch. This piece has a sizable 45.5mm diameter which may be prohibitive for some, but that said, for those with larger wrists, this is a great option. Omega offers a high performance watch (water resistant to 600 meters!) with contemporary aesthetics readily available as a standard production model. The Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black GMT 600M Co-Axial Ref. 215.92.46.22.01.002 is a mouthful, but a pretty compelling package nonetheless!

Breitling Navitimer B04 GMT Chronograph Ref. AB0441211G1X1

Besides the original Rolex GMT Master, there is probably no pilot’s watch more famous than Breitling’s Navitimer. Developed in the early 1950’s at the request of the US Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA), the model was designed to be a wrist-worn instrument that would enable pilots to perform any of the in-flight calculations they might need to make to remain aloft. This ref. AB0441211G1X1 Navitimer B04 GMT Chronograph is quite large at 48mm, but packs a whole lot of utility into that case. Besides chronograph and GMT functions, the Navitimer also includes a slide rule bezel, allowing pilots to make quick calculations on the fly (literally). Overall, the Navitimer B04 GMT Chrono is not only one of our favorite pilot’s watches but one of our favorite GMT’s as well.

Panerai Luminor 1950 8-Day GMT Ref. PAM00289

Many collectors think of Panerai’s just as large watches with simple dials, but in reality, the brand actually offers quite the array of complications in their lineup. The ref. PAM00289 Luminor 1950 8-Day GMT may be manually wound, but it is equipped with the brand’s famous in-house Caliber P2002 which offers an 8-day power reserve. This Luminor sticks to the brand’s standard design brief (the original is an icon after all) but also incorporates a GMT complication. Interestingly, both the seconds and the GMT hands are located in the 9 o’clock subdial, something we don’t often see. Limited to just 200 pieces in rose gold, this GMT is perfect for someone looking for that bulky Panerai aesthetic.

Panerai Luminor Luna Rossa GMT Ref. PAM01096

Continuing with the “Panerai’s-are-more-than-just-big-simple-watches” theme, the Luminor Luna Rossa GMT PAM01096 is next on our list. This piece has a Scafotech dial and a Carbotech bezel. What is Scafotech and what is Carbotech? Well, Scafotech is a proprietary material made out of carbon fiber residue sourced from the hulls and hydrofoils of the Luna Rossa AC75 yacht. Carbotech is a bonded carbon material made from multiple layers of carbon fiber stacked on top of one another and bound together to form a single solid piece. These new and experimental materials make for an interesting, almost futuristic, design aesthetic. Unlike the previous Panerai on this list, the Luminor Luna Rossa GMT has a central GMT hand. While the subsidiary GMT hand is interesting, the central GMT on this watch is a bit more legible. Coming in at a 42mm case size and limited to just 250 pieces, this watch is perfect for someone looking for Panerai’s bold design aesthetic in a more reasonably sized case.

Breguet Tradition GMT Ref. 7067BB/G1/9W6

Moving from a large sports watch to a contemporary dress design from Breguet, the Tradition GMT reference 7067BB offers a lot of visual interest that captures the eye. The watch features a “Souscription” inspired bridge layout and dial design that pays homage to pocket watches manufactured by Louis Breguet himself in the 18th century. In addition to the time display on the guilloché subdial at 12, the 7067 has an asymmetrical GMT display located at 8 o’clock, and a day/night indicator just above at 9. We have always been a champion of Breguet watches here at EWC, and think that the finishing quality on both the dials and movement surpasses that of almost all watches in the price category. What we like so much about this piece, and the Tradition line in general, is the way it fuses the classic and contemporary. While the hands, subdials, text and leather strap are all classic Breguet, the sandblasted, openworked movement is decidedly more modern. If you are looking for a watch that seamlessly blends modern and classic, check out the Breguet Tradition GMT Ref. 7067. 

Urban Jurgensen One Collection GMT Ref. 5541

Urban Jurgensen is an example of a name in the watchmaking industry that hasn’t yet gained widespread recognition among collectors. THE Urban Jurgensen was a Danish clockmaker who lived in the 18th century. After he passed away, one of his sons, Jules Jurgensen, carried on his father’s legacy, and the brand, in Switzerland. The company is still making watches today under the tutelage of industry fixture Kari Voutilainen. Modern Urban Jurgensen pieces are incredibly high quality (especially given their price points) and while most of the watches are elegant dress pieces with intricately finished dials, they also produce a number of interesting sportier pieces. The One Collection GMT ref. 5541 is the brand’s integrated bracelet GMT and deserves some real attention. In addition to the time, the 5541 offers the date and a 24-hour GMT, paired with a wave guilloché dial and a very well executed bracelet. I actually feel that this bracelet is one of the best in the industry based on fit and finish and the fact that the design is actually unique. If you are a fan of independent watchmakers and want to add a GMT to your collection, check out the Urban Jurgensen One Collection GMT Ref. 5541.

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT Ref. 26589IO.OO.D002CA.01

Audemars Piguet’s most famous watch is unsurprisingly the iconic Royal Oak. While the brand has expanded the collection to include different sizes, case materials and complications, none are more exciting than the Royal Oak Concept Flying Tourbillon GMT. Measuring 44mm in diameter and featuring a block-like titanium case, the watch includes two main complications, a flying tourbillon, and a GMT. What makes the GMT function on this piece unique, and therefore the reason it is included in the list, is the wheel system that displays the hour on a rotating disc rather than using a hand. This unusual 24-hour display features two 12-hour halves that are color-coded for day and night. While this “Concept” model is not for everyone (especially the purists who love Genta’s original design), it is a great showcase for a brand that regularly pushes the boundaries of watchmaking. It is always great to see a historical brand like Audemars Piguet taking risks and pushing the limits of horology to see just how far they can go.

De Bethune DB3 GMT Dual-Time

De Bethune is another independent watchmaker that has risen to fame in recent years following the surge of interest in boutique manufacturers. With this increased attention, collectors have revisited earlier De Bethune models, many of which have a more classical aesthetic than the recent avant-garde collections. The DB3 Dual-Time GMT is a great example featuring Breguet-esque hands, a guilloché dial, and traditional Roman numeral indices. Additionally, a GMT dual time function sits at 6 o’clock and there are power reserve and moonphase indicators at 12. As De Bethune gets more and more popular as a brand, we expect these early classics to become incredibly popular. Prices have already begun to rise, so if you see one, buy it!

Chopard L.U.C. GMT Limited Edition Ref. 16/1867

Strikingly similar in layout and design to the previous De Bethune pick, this limited edition white gold Chopard L.U.C. GMT ref. 16/1867 is a dress interpretation of a classic GMT complication. Because GMTs are more often found on sport watches, it is always nice to see one incorporated into a more reserved dress watch. The 16/1867 features a blue guilloché inner dial and dual-colored (for night and day) GMT subdial at 6 o’clock. A Limited edition of 1,860 examples in white gold, if you are looking for a slim and modestly sized (38mm) dress watch with GMT functionality, the Chopard L.U.C. GMT Ref. 16/1867 is a great option.

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17 best GMT watches for all budgets

Newsflash: GMT watches were not created solely in honour of the Greenwich Observatory. Shocking, I know. A lot of watches have fancy, mythical names that get bandied around a lot despite not appearing to make much sense. Case in point who has ever seen a Nautilus in the pressurised hull of a submarine?

Named after one iconic Rolex , GMTs do have two very useful functions – the GMT hand can either indicate the time in another city or country so you can effectively be on two time zones on one watch, or you can endure its on local time so you know if it's AM or PM where you are.

Granted Rolex has a sixty-year-old head start on most when it comes to GMT watches, but smaller brands have caught up to the travel icon, and are now offering big value. Here are our faves, kicking off with the OG.

Rolex GMT-Master

Rolex GMT-Master – the watch that named the genre – was the first watch to have a separately adjustable hand to accompany you on your travels. Set within a tough case echoing the deep-diving Submariner , it evokes world travel. Its aura is so strong that the entire sub-category of easy-setting travel watches is known by its nome de plume. While hundreds of watches are inspired by the duo-coloured bezel and arrow pointer, the Batman ref 116710BLNR ( Ben Affleck has one) is still the daddy. Originally commissioned for God-tier logoed airline Pan-Am and its pilots, it's done pretty well considering its nothing more than a trusty tool watch – one popular with the likes of Jack Harlow , Raheem Stirling and Tom Cruise, mind.  £9,150. At   rolex.com

Grand Seiko SBGJ273

Dial art with a distinctly Japanese twist makes this Grand Seiko stand out a mile – potentially a mile and half actually. The scalpel-sharp sword dauphine hands reflect the tiniest twinkle of the evening sun, while the deep red lacquer dial aint messing around – if red isn’t for you, neither is this. A 39.5mm case in hand-polished steel only highlights this rather glamorous take on a GMT from Japan’s best craftsmen. £6,600 . At grand-seiko.com

Farer Maze GMT

Few do fresh AF British watchmaking like Farer. Case in point, we are head over heals with the crisp graphic dial of the Maze II. As if sketched on an engineer’s jotting pad to prove a point (its legibility is legit), the clean and function-packed dial says a lot about Farer’s singular focus on enjoying a wealth of colours and curated style. With its massive orange pointer and unmistakable day-night 24-hour bezel, your LA jetlag will be easily tracked – at 2am when you’re lying wide awake. £1,275. At farer.com

Christopher Ward Sealander GMT       

With a British twist to travel-time wrist pop, the Sealander GMT from Christopher Ward is a feast of colour – how many Dragonfly blue dials and satsuma-pink GMT hands do you see out there? The 24-hour steel bezel allows the watch’s sharp details on the fresh sunburst dial to pop – not least the date-window at 6 o’clock, which is nigh-on perfectly coloured matched. A debatable comparison but there's a bit of Rolex Milgauss in this one for us. £1,060. At christopherward.com

Tudor Black Bay GMT

Once again, we have zero qualms touting Tudor as the Coronet family winner when conversation turns to this silky opaline dial Black Bay GMT. Its Pepsi bezel is giving off big-dog vibes, and mechanically it’ll out-travel the best of other GMTs, not least because it’s available to buy and slightly less obvious than Post Malone’s glittering sapphire-set Rolex travel jewel. The fact that there’s the option of rocking one with a soft fabric NATO with a natty red stripe gives it yet more X-factor appeal. £3,500 . At goldsmiths.co.uk

Longines Master Collection GMT

Longines gifted us the aviation-inspired Spirit series and deep-diving Hydroconquest but what about when we’ve off on our travels? The assurance of a second time zone at a glance on a Rollie is one of life’s subtle luxuries, but Longines has a different take on the sports watch feature. This dressy, limited yellow gold Master Collection GMT will up your flying game, whether you’re wearing a blazer or velvet tracksuit. $14,200. At longines.com

Seiko Prospex SPB385 Glacier Blue Limited Edition

Seiko’s diver watch brawn plus its Japanese sorcery equals a 42mm watch that feel as comfortable as a 39mm piece of slim retro skin diver. Offering a Swiss-beating 72 hours of power reserve, the case is as broad-shouldered and muscular as we like our Seiko tool watches, but the arctic ice of the deeply striated dial is mesmerising. £1,600. At   seikoboutique.co.uk

Tudor Black Bay Pro

Once again, the Tudor cousin is Rolex-baiting, with huge success in the form of the Black Bay Pro from last year. The softly brushed pure steel emanates a tough-guy vibe, nothing pops like yellow against matte black, and the 39mm case is more comfortable than its Batman cousin while not attracting unwanted attention to that glitzy bezel. We're calling the ‘60s rivet-look steel bracelet retro-tastic, and we’re fine with that. £3,460. At   goldsmiths.co.uk

Bell & Ross BR05 GMT

The cheeky French design team behind Bell & Ross knows how to titillate our senses with the right clues. On a smoothly integrated bracelet , the squircle shape of the slim 41mm BR05 GMT looks razor sharp with an opaline white dial. Just like the Rolex Explorer II , a red arrow-tipped hand makes your home time nice and legible (and avoids any 5am wake-up phone calls to your mate whenever that might happen).  £5,000. At   bellross.com & jurawatches.co.uk

Louis Vuitton Tambour Dual Time

Few brands straddle the categories of fashion and wristwear like Louis Vuitton . The pebble-round Tambour line wears as sublimely as you’d expect with a slim 39.5mm case. In contrast to a casual fit like Bradley Cooper's, this one wears larger than life thanks to an icy silver dial and intrinsic details. The LV flower motif marks the second time zone to ensure all-out travel inspo. Vintage LV leather trunk, optional. £3,235. At   louisvuitton.com

Baltic Aquascaphe GMT

Still known as the number one French microbrand, Etienne & co has built a success on the perfectly-timed launch of vintage-cool watches like the goldilocks-sized Aquascaphe. You can emulate the OG batman, or go for our choice of mandarin fresh orange and blue with period-perfect charm and a large dollop of je ne sais quoi . The tough nugget combo of a 39mm case with a hardy 100m depth rating makes it a great value proposition.  €920. At   baltic-watches.com

Raymond Weil Tango

With a fresh Pepsi look to its 24-hour bezel, Swiss brand Raymond Weil has the right jet-setting clues in its name. So book those tickets and set your hands back three hours, we’re going to party in Argentina. Dancing aside, it’s a solid, 300m depth rated GMT diver at 42mm, and will frankly work with everything on that smooth steel three-link bracelet.  £1,195 . At  goldsmiths.co.uk

Unimatic Modello Quattro Henry Singer Edition

Once again limited, damn you Unimatic, its first GMT version of the U4 is an achingly cool with that monochrome calm, Italian sartorial timepiece. Modern AF, while still exhibiting the retro touches of split-design sword hands and diver markings, this rubber-strapped silky nugget of titanium is simply inspiring. And nothing but Unimatic in its language.  $1,995. At   unimaticwatches.com

Farer Lander IV

Powered by a custom version of the Sellita SW330-2 movement, Farer puts its usual British twist on the art of travel. A short-lugged 39.5mm brushed case spells comfort, and not much will beat the sea green multi-stepped dial for fresh pops of colour. The seconds hand is a vivid orange with a quirky Farer logo, while the classic lume-filled arrow 24-hour pointer is a fiery red. It shouldn’t work, but of course it does, and with its brass-logoed onion crown is a great travel buddy.  £1,225. At   farer.com

Christopher Ward C60 Anthropocene

The C60 Anthropocene might have had us googling its name, but with a small contribution going to preserve Wildlife, this is a modern GMT with a fresh twist. A clean-cut 42mm case holds a ceramic bezel with a small touch of orange that sets the tone of this modern piece. We feel reinvigorated by the sharp contrast of black, polar white sapphire dial and satsuma, and it’s liberatingly homage-less. A dead serious 600m depth rating makes it a massive bang for your buck.  £1,100. At   christopherward.com

Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time

There are plenty of big-value choices out there too – the Batman hasn’t got the market entirely cornered when it comes to grail-status travel GMT watches. Patek Philippe has a lesser-known fave of ours with a great 37.5mm case size. It boasts one of the easiest ways to set and read the time difference between your spectacular destination and Blighty. With superimposed lumed numerals and function-first giant time-zone pushers, this Patek has a retro-tool watch flex, and we love it. POA. At   patek.com

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time

Once the integrated-bracelet stepchild, people get the charm of the Overseas range in 2023, so even here you might have to wait for that dealer phone call after a year or so. But with the eloquent slim style of the deep blue Vacheron Constantin , it’s so worth it. Undisturbed by a busy bezel, the sunburst blue dial has a simple AM/PM indicator so you’ll remember not to wake up your entire household with that guilty-travel-conscience call to your partner.  £26,200. At   vacheron-constantin.com

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The Best GMT & Travel Watches of 2022

As the world returned to somewhat normal, there have been some very good watches fit for travelling the globe.

Whoever has experienced traversing the globe (by plane, train or automobile) while wearing a mechanical timepiece has at one point run into the drawbacks of regular time-only watches. It can tell the time in one location only, which is useless for identifying the time of day or night of your loved ones back home. Luckily, there are watches that offer a simple and practical solution: travel watches! These come in many variations and offer either a GMT function for a second time zone or a Worldtimer display where you can quickly identify the hour in multiple (and possibly all) time zones on earth. And as the year draws to a close, today’s Buying Guide homes in on some of the best travel watches presented in 2022!

Longines Spirit Zulu Time

The Spirit collection by Longines is home to some of the best watches the Winged Hourglass brand has to offer, and the Spirit Zulu Time reaffirms that very much. It’s quite a chunky watch, admittedly, but a very good-looking one at that! It comes with either a matte black, anthracite or sunray brushed blue dial, with either black, green or blue ceramic bezel inserts. The automatic L844.4 movement is COSC-certified, provides a very decent 72 hours of running time, and comes with a silicon balance spring. And best of all, it is a so-called True-GMT with an independently adjustable local hour hand! It’s priced at EUR 2,750 on leather, or EUR 2,850 on bracelet.

For more information, please visit Longines.com

Quick Facts – 42mm x 13.90mm – stainless steel case with bidirectional rotating bezel – glossy ceramic insert – domed sapphire crystal – 100m water-resistant – matte black, anthracite or sunray brushed blue dial – applied luminous indices – sword-shaped hour and minute hands with contrasting GMT hand – date window – Calibre L844.4 (base ETA A31.L411) – automatic winding – 21 jewels – 25,200vph – 72h power reserve – silicon balance spring – CHF 2,750 (leather strap) or CHF 2,850 (steel bracelet)

Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Sports Spring Drive GMT SBGE285

Grand Seiko launched a very good-looking pair of GMT watches under the Evolution 9 Sports line-up , but the best of the two is the SBGE285 with its lovely light grey dial (the other one being the SBGE283 in black). The fine snowflake texture is just amazing and works really well with the high-intensity titanium case and bracelet. And being a Spring Drive watch , it combines the best elements of a mechanical movement with those of a quartz movement, for an accuracy ±1 second per day. Part of Grand Seiko’s permanent collection, it will set you back EUR 8,500 .

For more information, please visit Grand-Seiko.com

Quick Facts – 41mm x 13.9mm – high-intensity titanium case – fixed bezel with 24h scale – sapphire crystal front and back – 100m water-resistant – light grey dial with snowflake texture – faceted applied markers and hands with luminous inserts – framed date window – power reserve display – Calibre 9R66, in-house – Spring Drive – 30 jewels – 72h power reserve – accuracy ±1 second per day or ±15 seconds per month – titanium bracelet with folding clasp – EUR 8,500

Tudor Black Bay Pro

By far one of the watches that caused the most “buzz” during Watches & Wonders was the utilitarian Tudor Black Bay Pro . It’s not the first GMT watch in the extremely popular Black Bay range , but it is the absolute best. With its fixed bezel and black dial, it does look a bit like the Explorer II by big brother Rolex , but we’re not complaining. The monoblock luminous ceramic markers and Snowflake hands simply look cool, and it’s backed up by the MT5652 manufacture calibre made with Kenissi. The Tudor Black Bay Pro retails for EUR 3,450 on a fabric or hybrid strap, or EUR 3,750 on a bracelet, and is simply put a great buy either way!

For more information, please visit TudorWatch.com

Quick Facts – 39mm x approx. 14.6mm – stainless steel case – fixed steel bezel with 24h scale – black dial with applied monoblock luminous ceramic indices – Snowflake hands with Super-LumiNova – orange GMT hand – date window – MT55652, automatic COSC-certified chronometer – 28 jewels – 28,800vph – 70h power reserve – silicon balance spring – stainless steel bracelet, fabric or hybrid strap – EUR 3,450 (strap) or EUR 3,750 (bracelet)

Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante

By far one of the most clever travel watches presented this year is the wonderful Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante . Based on the very successful Tonda PF line , a superbly elegant sports watch with an integrated design, the GMT Rattrapante adds a trick complication to the mix. The integrated pusher in the crown can be used to advance the rhodium-plated “local” hour hand forward. This reveals a gold hand for home time, thus making it a travel watch. Push the button in the lower left lug and Presto, both hands line up again and the home time hand is hidden from view. It retails for CHF 26,000 , but you do get a superb dial, clever GMT function and lavishly finished movement in return.

For more information, please visit Parmigiani.com

Quick Facts – 40mm x 10.7mm – stainless steel case with knurled platinum bezel – crown with integrated pusher and secondary pusher in the lug for GMT function – deep blue grain d’orge guilloché dial – delta-shaped local hour, home hour and minute hand – applied indices and logo – Calibre PF051, automatic with micro-rotor – 31 jewels – 21,600vph – 38h power reserve – steel bracelet – CHF 26,000

Seiko 5 Sports Style GMT

On the lower end of the spectrum in terms of affordability, Seiko smashed it out of the park with the new Seiko 5 Spots Style GMT collection . The Japanese manufacturer presented a trio of cool new references based on the ever-popular 5 Sports . Although the novelty is not a “true” GMT, it does offer added value to the 5 Sports by way of a central hand used to indicate a second time zone. The trippy two-tone bezel inserts, with one half shifting colour under light, only add to the flair of the range. Powered by the Seiko Calibre 4R34, it is an absolute performance bargain, priced at EUR 470 .

For more information, please visit SeikoWatches.com

Quick Facts – 42.5mm x 13.6mm – stainless steel case with rotating bezel and two-tone inserts – Hardlex crystal with cyclops – 100m water-resistant – black (SSK001K1), blue (SSK003K1) or orange (SSK005K1) dial – central hour, minute, seconds and GMT hand, date – Calibre 4R34, automatic – 24 jewels – 21,600vph – 41h power reserve – stainless steel multi-link bracelet – EUR 470

Patek Philippe Worldtime Cloisonné Enamel 5231G

We round up this Buying Guide with a stunner of a watch by the Maison that is known for its travel watches; Patek Philippe . The Worldtime Cloisonné Enamel 5231G is the latest in a long line of beautiful world timers that can be traced back to the Louis Cottier watches from the 1930s. The elegantly sized and beautifully shaped white gold case holds the Calibre 240 HU, which is driven by a micro-rotor. The dial is a stellar combination of a white enamel city ring, a two-tone white and blue day/night ring and a grand feu cloisonné enamel heart depicting Oceania and South-East Asia. The price for this absolute beauty is CHF 75,000 .

For more information, please visit Patek.com

Quick Facts – 38.5mm x 10.23mm white gold case – self-winding caliber 240 HU, World Time, 24-hour and day/night indication for all 24 time zones – grand Feu cloisonné enamel center: Oceania and South-East Asia, 4 gold spangles – sapphire-crystal case back- water resistant to 30m – hand-stitched alligator strap – fold over clasp –  CHF 75,000

7 responses

Not sure I would feel comfortable traveling with any of these watches, except for the Longines perhaps. Casio Worldtime ftw for travel purposes.

Yuk! The Patek is gross. Bling. Perfect for over the pond.

Missing the Mido GMT here. Heck of a watch at a very good price point.

@Marc – Nice choice indeed. Very good value for the money.

Nice…… but a 75K watch that ‘writes’ Cairo instead of Tel Aviv or Jerusalem on that timezone …. no thanks.

Nice choice , very beautiful and well design

To Alfred Cairo is the internationally-designated city for that time zone, and indeed I challenge you to find an Israeli-oriented international time zone watch. Armenian citizens might prefer Yerevan to Moscow, and so on. Osaka citizens might prefer their city to the designated Tokyo. This preference list could get very long. So your naiive comment is a waste of time, pun intended.

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Our guides to the best modern GMT watches

Which leading brand has released the ultimate men’s travel watch? GMT watches offer a complication that enables you to follow a standard 12-hour format whilst simultaneously tracking an additional 24-hour format.

Multi Time Zone

Now that normality is beginning to resume, our imaginations stray to tropical destinations once more. Or maybe you frequently travel for work? Either way, it’s important to know which GMT watches are the best right now. They often feature traditional hour, minute and second hands alongside a GMT hand in a different colour – almost always with a triangular tip. The addition of rotating bezels will also allow for the tracking of up to three time zones in some designs.

GMT watches do have good water resistance and boast a sporty aesthetic. Although originally produced for commercial airline pilots to help orient them as they took off and landed, GMT watches have today proved themselves a popular addition to any luxury watch collection. True GMTs are classified as those watches that allow the wearer to adjust the main time and use it as local time. They can then use the 24-hour scale to track their home time. Caller GMT watches enable the wearer to adjust the 24-hour hand and are best suited to those who don’t travel all that frequently. With that, here’s a guide to the best GMT watches on the market right now, complete with a run-through of their best features.

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Co-Axial GMT watch

Omega may not automatically spring to mind when you think of GMT watches but that doesn’t mean the travel watches created by this Swiss brand aren’t some of the best on the market. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Co-Axial watch combines the brand’s dive watch heritage with a timepiece that can be enjoyed whether on vacation or travelling on business. Its black dial with triangular markers makes it an incredibly practical model for formal occasions too. A red arrow-tipped hand points to an inner 24-hour scale, surrounded by an outer minute track and a legible date window at 6 o’clock. Inside the watch’s 150-meter water-resistant case is also a Co-Axial movement capable of producing a 60-hour power reserve.

Rolex GMT Master II Ceramic 126710 “Pepsi”

The Rolex GMT Master II watch, although not the first travel watch, continues to prove its popularity as one of the most loved GMT watches of all time. The Pepsi coloured bezel separates daylight hours and night-time hours against a 24-hour track. This watch is fitted on a jubilee bracelet, however, the famous watchmaker has recently added an Oyster bracelet to its configuration. Hands down, the Rolex GMT Master II watch with a ceramic bezel and classic black dial is one of the best GMT watches on the market. The Calibre 3285 inside promises a 70-hour power reserve, plus the use of its independently adjustable hour hand paired with a rotating bezel allows for up to three timezones to be tracked at a time.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT “Peacock”

Nicknamed the “Peacock”, the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT watch is limited to just 700 pieces worldwide, which makes the model even more highly sought after on the market. It’s a purist’s timepiece, with a stunning Zaratsu polished case that catches the light from multiple angles for a clean, crisp and light feel on the wrist. The calibre 9S86 makes this timepiece such a popular GMT watch, beating at 36,600 vibrations per hour and offering an independently set hour hand that won’t interfere with the performance of the movement whilst being adjusted. Style-wise, the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 watch is modest and understated with its stunning peacock-blue dial, golden-coloured GMT hand and surrounding 40mm steel case.

Tudor Black Bay GMT

The Tudor Black Bay GMT is a tool watch on a three-link Oyster bracelet with an aluminium bezel executed in blue and red. Although sharing many characteristics with its more famous and more expensive sibling brand’s GMT watch - the Tudor Black Bay GMT watch comes at a much more affordable price and is powered by a COSC-certified movement capable of producing a 70-hour power reserve. The 41mm travel watch is crafted from stainless steel, features a black legible dial, and features a striking red GMT hand for easy tracking of a second time zone.

IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph

Although classified as a GMT watch thanks to its inner 24-hour track set against a black dial, the 46mm IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph is also a world timer watch, since it features the world cities around the bezel. It also offers chronograph hour and minute functions combined inside a sub-counter at 12 o’clock, balanced by a small seconds counter at 6 o’clock. The feature-packed IWC GMT watch also features a date window at 3 o’clock, a flyback chronograph function for effortless measuring of elapsed timings and a 68-hour power reserve courtesy of the 89760 Calibre.

Breitling Avenger II GMT Watch

Perfect for travelling in style and comfort but also bursting with plenty of aviation spirit, the Breitling Avenger II GMT watch is clad in a steel and black outfit and features a striking red arrow-tipped GMT hand that works in coordination with a 24-hour scale on a bidirectional rotating steel bezel. This feature enables for a third time zone reading. The Breitling GMT watch is also water-resistant to 300 meters, features aviation-inspired stencil-type numerals for a technical look, and secures to the wrist with a rugged steel bracelet. It also offers a cambered sapphire crystal glass front with anti-glare properties for a clear view into the time at any given point of the day or night.

Longines Conquest GMT Watch

If quartz watches are your preference, the Longines Conquest GMT watch may be for you, since it is powered by a super-accurate VHP quartz movement. A silver carved dial adds a sense of depth to the design, especially when paired with its red-tipped GMT hand and red minute track. The 24-hour track in this GMT watch is featured around the flange whilst a 50-meter water-resistant steel case pairs with an anti-glare sapphire crystal glass front to maintain a dry internal environment. Of course, the stainless steel bracelet fitted to this GMT watch, along with its sturdy push-button folding clasp allows the watch to be worn to a more formal occasion in addition to travel.

Certina DS Podium GMT Watch

If you don’t want your wristwatch to look like an obvious travel watch, the Certina DS Podium model is a great option because it features the additional time zone in a 24-hour sub-counter at 10 o’clock. There’s also a chronograph minute and hours function combined at 2 o’clock, as well as a small second sub-dial at 6 o’clock, a date window, and large legible Arabic numerals and stick indexes representing the main time. For effortless measuring of speed based on distance or distance based on time travelled, you can utilize the watch’s tachymeter scale around the bezel also.

Bell and Ross GMT BR-01-93 Watch

The black ion-plated stainless steel case of this Bell & Ross GMT watch boasts the instantly recognisable “circle within a square” profile and features a legible black dial with large white luminous Arabic numerals and stick markers for the hands. Enhancing readability all the more is a striking red GMT hand and a very visible 24-hour scale. The watch is powered by a self-winding movement that provides a 42-hour power reserve whilst protected inside a 50-meter water-resistant case. To complete its aviation instrument panel look, the watch wraps around the wrist with a supple black BR embossed rubber strap.

Blancpain Villeret Reveil GMT watch

Blancpain watches from the Villeret watch collection are elegant and timeless, not to mention incredibly practical, especially when they come in the form of a GMT watch. In this Blancpain Villeret Reveil GMT watch, the wavey GMT hand is crafted from blued steel and points to a 24-hour scale inside a larger Roman numeral hour track for local time. in addition to this, there’s an additional time zone that can be read from a 12-hour sub-counter at 3 o’clock, as well as a date window at 6 o’clock and a power reserve indicator that displays the remaining energy level of the automatic Calibre 1240H sitting within.

Radiomir 1940 Chrono Monopulsante 8 Days GMT Oro Bianco

The Radiomir 1940 Chrono Monopulsante 8 Days GMT Oro Bianco model is a 45mm 18ct white gold travel watch for those who want a timepiece that not only reliably tracks additional time zones but also feels ultimately luxurious on the wrist. The watch’s black dial is adorned with central hour, minute and second hands, a GMT hand with a slender arrow tip, a 24-hour indicator, a power reserve indicator, and two chronograph counters. The GMT watch is completed on a classic-looking brown alligator leather strap which keeps the timepiece smart enough for timezone-hopping but comfortable enough to pair with different attire whilst on vacation.

Chopard L.U.C. GMT One Watch

The L.U.C GMT One watch from Chopard is incredibly easy to keep track of both local and home time. L.U.C watches are all performed and tested at the Maison’s Geneva and Fleurier workshops. This model in particular features a black galvanised dial and Super-LumiNova Arabic numeral hour markers and hands. The luxury GMT watch features a 24-hour scale around the edge separated into pale orange numerals to highlight the nighttime hours. The watch is finished on a traditional black leather strap, measures a 42mm diameter, comes integrated with 50-meter water resistance and is powered by a self-winding mechanical movement capable of a 60-hour power reserve.

Hamilton Jazzmaster GMT Automatic Watch

Last but not least, the Hamilton Jazzmaster GMT Auto watch is an affordable travel companion that features the world cities in a black and silver ring around the outside of the dial, as well as a visible blue GMT hand and a date window at 6 o’clock. Primed for travel, its classic aesthetic is optimised with a brown leather strap and cream contrast stitching down the sides. Powered by an automatic movement, this Hamilton GMT watch is topped with an anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front and promises a 50-meter water resistance.

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20 Affordable GMT Watches for Budget-Conscious Travelers

Of all the different types of complicated timepieces, watches with a GMT or second-time-zone function are among the most useful in everyday life, especially for those of us who travel frequently, do long-distance business in other parts of the world, or some combination of both. Until relatively recently, if you wanted such a watch with a traditional mechanical movement (as opposed to a digital or quartz option), you could expect to pay a fairly hefty price for it. Fortunately, a growing number of watch brands — large and small, well-established as well as plucky newcomers — have started to make GMT watches that are attainable for newer, less affluent aficionados while also being robustly built and thoughtfully designed. In this article, we spotlight 20 of these affordable GMT watches, in ascending order of MSRP, all of which fall under the $2,000 threshold. (If you’re interested in a broader look at the GMT watch category, and might be convinced to spend a bit, or a lot, more, check out our original list of the best GMT watches. )

Under $1,000:

Timex q timex gmt.

Price: $229, Case Size: 38mm, Thickness: 12.5mm, Lug Width: 18mm, Crystal: Acrylic, Water Resistance: 50 meters, Movement: Quartz Analog

Always known for its value proposition, mass-market Timex has also gotten onto the radar of vintage-watch fans in recent years by reproducing some of its cult-favorite historical models, seeking out the sweet spot between historical flair, modest dimensions, and great pricing. Among the success stories is the colorful and sporty Q Timex, a modern reissue of a popular model from the 1970s, which also happens to be one of Timex’s first models with a quartz caliber. Among the elements that echo the original models are the bicolor GMT bezel, diver-style geometrical indexes on the dial, the integrated SST bracelet and even the battery case cover in the back, which enables the wearer to change his own battery with the simple turn of a coin edge.

Nodus Sector GMT

Price: $475, Case Size: 38mm, Thickness: 12.25mm, Lug to Lug: 47mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Seiko TMI NH34

California-based microbrand Nodus takes its name from the Latin word signifying the intersection of pathways, and symbolizes its mission of merging the two worlds of vintage and modern design.The Sector GMT delivers on that promise with its modestly sized, brushed 38mm case and sector-style dial design that draws inspiration from military watches issued during the 1920s through the 1940s. The watch diverges from many other GMTs with its use of an inner 24-hour scale, within the main ring of radial Arabic hour numerals, to designate the second time zone rather than the more common 24-hour bezel. The outsourced Seiko movement inside the case has been heavily regulated by Nodus’ Irvine, California workshop and offers a 41-hour power reserve. 

Seiko 5 Sports GMT SSK001

Price: $475, Case Size: 42.5mm, Thickness: 13.4mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Hardlex, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Seiko 4R34

Seiko introduced the first GMT complication to its entry-level, automatic Seiko 5 sports line in 2022, equipping the watches with the automatic Caliber 4R34. Available in three colorways for the dial and bezel — blue, orange, and the black version featured here — the watches have a central GMT hand in a contrasting color, used in coordination with the bicolor day/night bezels (here in black and gray), with rings made of Hardlex glass like the crystal, to indicate a second time zone. The GMT hand is coated in Seiko’s proprietary LumiBrite for nighttime legibility. Based on the design of the much-beloved SKX series of Seiko sports watches, the model has a five-link bracelet with polished middle rows.

Lorier Hydra SII GMT

Price: $599, Case Size: 41mm, Thickness: 12.2mm, Lug to Lug: 46mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Hesalite, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Miyota 9075

Founded by the husband-wife team of Lorenzo and Lauren Ortega and based in New York City, Lorier is one of a handful of American microbrands (you’ll find others on this list) that have availed themselves of the revolutionary Japanese Miyota 9075 movement to power an automatic GMT watch at an eye-raising low price. The Hydra GMT is a 41mm steel watch with deep-diving capabilities as well as GMT functionality: it’s water-resistant to 200 meters and features both a unidirectional ratcheting dive-scale bezel and a 24-hour ring outside the hour track for indicating a second time zone. The Hydra is even highly legible in the dark, with blue-glowing Super-LumiNova used for the hands and indexes and green lume used for the 24-hour scale.

Traska Venturer

Price: $695, Case Size: 38.5mm, Thickness: 10mm, Lug to Lug: 46mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 150 meters, Movement: Automatic Miyota 9075

Jon Mack founded Florida-based microbrand Traska after accidentally ruining one of his beloved vintage watches while wearing it in the water. The company is devoted to making watches that combine an authentic retro design language with a modern tool-watch build. The first Traska watch, the Freediver, paved the way for the brand’s first travel-focused watch, the Venturer, outfitted with the aforementioned Miyota GMT caliber. The Venturer has a field-watch-inspired dial and a vintage-appropriate 38.5mm steel case whose thin bezel frames a wide dial bordered by a 24-hour scale, A red-tipped central GMT hand points to the additional time zone while a second crown at 10 o’clock operates the rotation of the 24-hour ring. The case and bracelet finishing, with polished and chamfered surfaces, is impressive for the price point.

Vaer G5 Meridian Navy/Red

Price: $799, Case Size: 39mm, Thickness: 13.2mm, Lug to Lug: 48mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Miyota 9075

Vaer founders Ryan Torres and Reagan Cook pooled their collective life savings to start their own watch brand because “we couldn’t afford the watches we liked and didn’t like the ones we could afford.” Based in Venice, California, Vaer manufacturers all its watches in the U.S.A. and offers in them a variety of outsourced movements, including quartz, solar quartz, and the automatic inside the G5 Meridian Navy/Red, a watch that evokes the classically colorful charm of Rolex’s “Pepsi” GMT-Master at an eminently more attainable price. The 39mm case has a ceramic bicolor bezel; both the bezel and the dial are generously lumed, and the central GMT hand in bright red, which indicates a second time zone on the 24-hour scale, creates a contrast with the black dial.

Bulova Wilton GMT

Price: $875, Case Size: 43mm, Thickness: 12.7mm, Lug to Lug: 49.5mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 30 meters, Movement: Automatic Miyota 9075

Over its long history, Bulova has become well-known for offering mechanical complications at very accessible prices, and the Classic Wilton GMT, which joined the collection in 2022, is no exception. Priced under a grand, the Wilton GMT is the rare example of a “true” GMT — i.e., one with an independently adjustable local hour hand — that just about any enthusiast can afford. The watch has a brushed steel case at 43mm; a dial in either white or blue, with applied Roman numerals matching the case tone, a date window at 3 o’clock, and a world-map textured pattern on its surface that adds to its value proposition. The central arrow-pointed GMT hand indicates a second time zone on the bicolor 24-hour scale on the dial’s flange. The automatic Japanese-made Miyota movement inside stores a 42-hour power reserve.

Tissot Chemin des Tourelles Powermatic 80 GMT

Price: $875, Case size: 42mm, Thickness: 12.5mm, Lug Width: 21mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 50 meters, Movement: Automatic Powermatic 80.661

True to its form, the Tissot brand offers one of the watch world’s most value-oriented mechanical GMTs on the market in its elegantly detailed Chemin des Tourelles family. The Powermatic 80 GMT comes in a 42mm steel case (including a gold-plated version) with a thin, polished bezel framing a wide dial bordered on its outer edge by a 24-hour numbered scale. The dial’s ring of applied hour indexes and Roman hour numerals is accented by a hobnail pattern, and the thin sword hands for the hour and minute are joined by both a sweep seconds hand and an arrow-pointed GMT hand that reveals a second time zone on the outermost 24-hour ring. This watch’s version of the Powermatic 80 caliber is derived from the ETA C07.111, enhanced with the extended power reserve and antimagnetic escapement.

Maen Hudson 38 GMT

Price: $906, Case Size: 38mm, Thickness: 10.5mm, Lug to Lug: 46mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Soprod C-125

Maen was founded in Stockholm, Sweden in 2018 after a successful Kickstarter campaign, starting off with a dive watch, the Hudson Automatic, and expanding the scope to the Skymaster 38, a vintage-style pilot chronograph, and more recently the Hudson 38 GMT, which adapts the flagship Hudson diver’s design to a dual-time-zone utility. The sandblasted dial is bordered by a flange bearing a 24-hour scale, which is itself framed by a rotating bezel with its own 24-hour scale in place of the 60-minute dive scale; with the aid of the red arrow-tipped GMT hand, the wearer can read three time zones simultaneously. Like all Maen watches, the Hudson 38 GMT is Swiss-made, with its modest 38mm steel case housing a self-winding Soprod movement and attached to a supple, meticulously finished steel bracelet.

Certina DS Action GMT

Price: $995, Case Size: 43.1mm, Thickness: 12.6mm, Lug Width: 21mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Powermatic 80.661  

Certina is a watch brand much better known outside the U.S. than within its borders, but that is rapidly changing as the company, which is owned by the Swatch Group, has expanded its distribution and thus the profile of its Swiss-made, value-oriented line of timepieces — particularly the divers’ watches that have put it on the radar of enthusiasts over the years. The DS Action line is Certina’s entry-level range of divers, the “DS” denoting the case’s “Double Security” case structure, in which the watch’s movement is protected within an extra shock-absorbing rubber ring inside the main case and the watertight crown features a proprietary sealant system. The DS Action GMT models, equipped with Powermatic 80 automatic calibers, swap out the traditional 60-minute diver’s bezel for a 24-hour GMT scale and a central hand.

Baltic Aquascaphe GMT

Price: 920 Euros, Case Size: 39mm, Thickness: 12mm, Lug to Lug: 47mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Soprod C125

Founded in France in 2017, Baltic has swiftly staked out its spot on the independent microbrand scene with its vintage-influenced collection, particularly the Aquascaphe, a retro divers’ watch heavily influenced by midcentury classics like Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe models. For the GMT version of the Aquascaphe, Baltic replaced the base model’s unidirectional bezel with 60-minute dive scale with a more travel-friendly, bidirectional (and bicolor) 24-hour bezel, which can be used in conjunction with a central arrow-tipped hand to read the time in a second time zone. The dive-watch DNA of the Aquascaphe series is clearly present, with the dial sporting geometric hour markers, plentiful lume on the markers and hands, and a 100-meter water resistance (half of the diving model’s 200-meter rating, but still substantial). Adding to the value proposition is Baltic’s use of a self-winding Soprod movement inside the brushed steel case.

Under $2,000:

Tissot seastar 1000 powermatic 80 gmt u.s. limited edition.

Price: $1,275, Case Size: 46mm Case Height: 15.4mm, Lug to Lug: 51.2mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 300 meters, Movement: Automatic Powermatic 80.661

Tissot's ruggedly attractive Seastar family of dive watches debuted in the 1960s and underwent a crowd-pleasing revamp in recent years, which included the enduringly popular models being fitted with ETA-based Powermatic 80 movements, named for their substantial 80-hour power reserve. Among the many iterations of the Seastar 1000 is this GMT-equipped model exclusive to the U.S. market, featuring an unusual green-and black-colorway and accompanying bright red central hand for its 24-hour GMT scale. Like all Seastars, it is a robustly built professional-grade dive watch, with a hefty, 46mm steel case rated to a punishing 300 meters (or 1,000 feet, hence the model’s name) of water resistance. The watch comes on a steel link bracelet, with strap options extra.

Mido Ocean Star GMT

Price: $1,310, Case Size: 44mm Case Height: 13.28mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Mido 80 (ETA C07.661 base)

Popular in Latin America but only vaguely familiar to many watch aficionados in the U.S., Mido has been making watches since 1918 and its nautically inspired Ocean Star line has been around since the 1940s, even before the era of the modern diver’s watch. The Ocean Star GMT, launched in 2020, is the family’s first dual-time-zone watch, with a sturdy steel case and ceramic divers’ bezel. The 24-hour scale that you might expect to find on the bezel is instead printed on the dial’s flange. A long, arrow-tipped hand points to the scale, enabling the wearer to read the time in additional time zones while the two main hands display the local time. The Powermatic 80 caliber inside the 44mm steel case has been equipped with an added module for the GMT functions.

Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT

Seiko introduced the Sharp Edged family, whose members were distinguished by their intriguing textured dials, into its dressy, all-automatic Presage collection in 2020, adding GMT models to the original group of time-and-date watches a year later. At just over 42mm in diameter, the Presage Sharp Edged GMT sits comfortably on the wrist thanks to sloping lugs; the case’s finish combines polishing and brushing at a level rarely found at this price point. The GMT bezel that frames the dial is made of steel and coated with Seiko’s fade-resistant DiaShield coating. The dial itself is, of course, the star of the show, with its geometric “Asanoha” textured pattern, an ancient Japanese design motif inspired by hemp leaves. The dial colors also take inspiration from Japan’s natural world, like the “Aitetsu” model pictured, whose tone evokes indigo-colored iron ore.

Sinn 105 St Sa UTC

Price: $1,400, Case Size: 41mm, Thickness: 11.9mm, Lug-to-Lug: 47.4mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Water Resistance: 200m, Crystal: Sapphire, Movement: Automatic Sellita SW330-1

German watchmaker Sinn is known for tough, purpose-built timepieces and developing its own in-house technologies and processes to produce them. The recently released, entry-level 105 series, which offers a clean, pared-down offshoot of the brand’s pilot-focused 104 series, incorporates several, including the proprietary Tegiment hard coating on the rotating 24-hour bezel. The bead-blasted steel case resists 200 meters of water pressure. The matte black dial has the signature pill-shaped hands and hour markers as well as a bright orange UTC hand to indicate a second time zone. The orange color is also used for the contrast stitching on the tough leather strap, which can be swapped out for an even tougher steel bracelet.

Christopher Ward C65 Aquitaine GMT

Price: $1,425, Case Size: 41mm Case Height: 12.7mm, Lug to Lug: 46.68mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Sellita SW330-2

U.K.-based Christopher Ward added a GMT to its Aquitaine dive watch collection, inspired by the original Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, in 2022. The 41mm steel case hosts a 24-hour GMT bezel, made of sapphire, that frames a clean, readable dial with sharp sword hands for the local hour and minute, a seconds hand with the telltale trident-shaped counterweight, a subtle 6 o’clock date window, and the signature element, a fourth center-mounted hand with a colorful triangle tip that indicates a second time zone. The C65 GMT still has the robustness of a dive watch — its case is water-resistant to 200 meters — and is powered by an automatic Swiss-made caliber, the Sellita SW 330-2, which beats at 28,800 vph behind an exhibition caseback.

Citizen Series 8 GMT

Price: $1,695, Case Size: 41mm, Thickness: 13.5mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Citizen Caliber 9054

Citizen introduced the Series 8 collection in 2021, a series of watches equipped with in-house, mechanical automatic movements and targeting a more luxury-oriented segment of the market than many of the Japanese brand's Eco-Drive watches. The “8” represents the symbol for Infinity, hinting at the collection’s “infinite” possibilities. In 2023, the family welcomed its first model equipped with a GMT function. In addition to the classical bicolor 24-hour bezel and arrow-tipped GMT hand, the dial features a distinctive checkered pattern that takes its inspiration from the Tokyo skyline at night, with its grid of windows. The two-part steel case has an array of mirror-polished and brushed finishes and includes a transparent sapphire caseback to proudly display the movement, the self-winding Caliber 9054, boasting a power reserve of 50 hours and a daily accuracy of -10 to +20 seconds.

  Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT World Time Automatic

Price: $1,795, Case Size: 40mm, Lug Width: 20mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 200 meters, Movement: Automatic Soprod C-125

Zodiac’s Super Sea Wolf GMT World Time Automatic uses the same 200-meter water-resistant steel case, sturdy build, and vintage-influenced aesthetics of its siblings in the Super Sea Wolf collection, all tracing their lineage back to Zodiac’s historical dive watch from 1953. For this model, Zodiac has adapted the traditional diver’s bezel and the dial for world-time functionality. The bezel, in either rich red or deep black, is printed with the names of 24 world cities, enabling the wearer to use the GMT hand, in coordination with the 24-hour chapter ring surrounding the main dial, to track the time in any other time zone in the world. Zodiac first launched this simpler style of world-timer — different from a "true" world-time watch, in which the bezel rotates— in 1970. The watch is mounted on a sturdy three-link steel bracelet and contains an automatic Soprod movement.

Glycine Airman

Price: $1,895, Case Size: 44mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 100 meters, Movement: Automatic Caliber GL293 (ETA 2893/Sellita SW330 base)

Glycine was founded in 1914 in Switzerland but its most famous watch didn’t make its debut until 1953: the aviation-styled Airman, which was worn by U.S. military pilots during the Vietnam War and featured the very first rotating 24-hour GMT bezel to track two time zones. (Rolex’s legendary GMT-Master, which debuted one year later, introduced the more common bicolor version of this innovative design.) The Airman (vintage model above, via Analog Shift ) is still Glycine’s flagship collection and still offers quite the value proposition for a Swiss-made watch with an automatic GMT function. The dial is extra-legible, with wide luminous hands, large geometric indexes, an understated 3 o’clock date window, and 24-hour ring on the flange. The steel bezel of the 44mm case is engraved with the emblematic 24-hour scale of the Airman series, allowing for a view of multiple time zones. The Swiss-made automatic movement is visible behind a sapphire exhibition back.

Fomex Reef GMT Automatic Chronometer

Price: $1,900 - $2,310, Case Size: 42mm Case Height: 11.4mm, Lug to Lug: 47mm, Lug Width: 22mm, Crystal: Sapphire, Water Resistance: 300 meters, Movement: Automatic Sellita 330-2 (COSC certified)

Founded in 1999 and based in Biel, Switzerland, independent brand Formex has drawn admiration for making durable and stylish watches at value-oriented prices. In 2022, Formex introduced the Reef GMT, which adds a dual-time function to the brand’s popular Reef dive watch by means of a central GMT hand and a 24-hour scale on the interchangeable bezel rather than the traditional 60-minute dive scale. The chronometer-certified movement inside the Reef GMT watches is the automatic Sellita SW330-2, with a 50-plus-hour power reserve and GMT capability. Formex’s attention to functional detail is evident throughout the model, specifically on the bezel, redesigned from the 120-click tooth profile of the divers’ version to accommodate the 48 clicks for a precise GMT setting. 

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What Are the Best GMT Watches?

Alongside a date and chronograph, a GMT function is arguably the most useful and popular complication that luxury watch models can have. The ability to keep track of time in multiple locations simultaneously has a genuine real-world application, in a way that a moonphase indicator or minute repeater (for example) does not, despite the latter two’s inflated price tags and greater desirability among collectors.

GMT watches have existed since the 1950s when the huge rise in transcontinental air travel brought about the novel experience of jetlag. Research by American airline company Pan Am suggested a watch that could display the time in both the wearer’s current city and that of the eventual destination went some way in helping stave off the worst effects of the phenomenon. As a result, they teamed up with Rolex to create a timepiece that could do just that for their pilots and crew, with the eventual outcome being the legendary Rolex GMT-Master.

Since then, this genre of wristwatches has experienced exponential growth, with just about every luxury watch manufacturer offering their own versions – either following Rolex’s general blueprint or otherwise giving us their personal take on the challenge. That means the industry is pretty well stocked with GMT watches, and choosing between them can sometimes be a bit of a challenge. Below, we have selected 10 of our favorite GMT watches, both modern and vintage, from a variety of brands to give you as diverse a spread as possible. You will find plenty of variety in terms of aesthetics, functionality, and price, but all get our seal of approval, so read on to learn more.

What is a GMT Watch?

About GMT Watches

Before we go any further, let’s just nail down what exactly is a GMT watch. The term is often used interchangeably with ‘dual time zone watch’ but the two are not exactly the same.

A dual time zone watch shows two different times, at the same time. The second is usually displayed on a separate sub-dial, marked with a 12-hour scale. Because of that, there is often also a night/day indicator included somewhere to allow wearers to keep abreast of whether their secondary time zone is in the AM or PM. When traveling, the watch is set to read the local time on the main dial, with the sub-dial showing the ‘home’ time.

A GMT watch, on the other hand, always uses a 24-hour scale for the second time zone, most commonly located on the outside of the dial or else engraved on the bezel, which can either be fixed or rotatable. The name comes from ‘Greenwich Mean Time’ – measured from the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which is the start point for the 24 global time zones.

Most GMT watches still use the method devised by Rolex for the GMT-Master, and are fitted with an additional hour hand, geared to run at half the speed of the main hand, which points out the destination time on the scale. Early examples had both hour hands mechanically linked, meaning the watch could only be used to follow two individual time zones. However, later pieces disconnected the two, so wearers could actually follow three zones by bringing a rotating bezel into play. So, what are our favorite GMT watches?

Rolex GMT-Master ref. 1675

GMT-Master 1675 Key Features:

– Production Years: 1959 – 1980

– Case Size: 40mm

– Materials: Stainless Steel; Yellow Rolesor; Yellow Gold

– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, GMT Functionality

– Dial: Black or Brown w Luminous Hour Markers

– Bezel: Bidirectional, Aluminum Insert w/24-hour scale

– Crystal: Acrylic (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)

– Movement: Rolex Caliber 1565 or Caliber 1575

– Water Resistance: 50 Meters

– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster or Jubilee Bracelet

– Approx. Price: $9,000 – $100,000+

As only the second generation of Rolex’s GMT-Master range, the ref. 1675 makes a mouthwateringly tempting target for many collectors. Not only is it a genuine vintage example of the world’s favorite travelers’ watch – something that would normally put it out of reach of all but the most well-heeled. However, the GMT-Master 1675 was in production for such a long time that the pre-owned market has plenty of examples, making prices surprisingly attainable.

During its 21-year run from 1959 to 1980, the ref. 1675 went through countless changes, while simultaneously sticking to the accepted overall format we still know today. You will find pieces with either gilt or matte dials (the switchover happened around the mid ’60s), and some extremely rare variations within them, including chapter ring dials, double Swiss underline dials, and the so-called exclamation mark dials, which all keep serious collectors busy.

Similarly, the earliest models had GMT hands with small arrow tips, which were swapped for significantly larger ones during the reference’s lifespan. And, just as with the Submariner ref. 5512 that debuted the same year, the crown guards on the case also changed shape over time, going from the pointed ‘El Cornino’ style to the more rounded design we know today. The movement was upgraded as well, starting out with the Cal. 1565, which was replaced with the Cal. 1575 in 1964, and in 1972, Rolex fitted it with a hacking seconds function.

However, the GMT-Master’s story will always center around its bezel. The ref. 1675 was first offered in steel with the fabled red and blue Pepsi bezel – the color scheme both an aesthetic choice and a practical one, as it gave wearers an at-a-glance approximation of night and daytime hours. During the course of its production run, the reference 1675 was offered in both Rolesor (a combination of stainless steel and yellow gold) in the form of the ref. 1675/3 and solid 18k yellow gold as the ref. 1675/8. Between the different material options and the range of variation that exists among this single model, it is possible to spend vast sums on this vital chapter of Rolex’s history, yet excellent examples can also be had for under $10,000, which is an extremely reasonable sum for such an important watch.

Rolex GMT-Master II ref. 126719BLRO Meteorite

GMT-Master II 126719BLRO Key Features:

– Production Years: 2019 – Present

– Materials: 18k White Gold

– Dial: Meteorite w/ Luminous Hour Markers

– Bezel: Bidirectional, Cerachrom Insert w/24-hour scale.

– Crystal: Sapphire (Flat w/ Cyclops Lens)

– Movement: Rolex Caliber 3285

– Water Resistance: 100 Meters

– Strap/Bracelet: Oyster Bracelet

– Approx. Price: $39,900 (New); $65,000 – $80,000 (Pre-Owned)

From a vintage classic to a future one, this modern incarnation of the GMT-Master II is a far cry from the rough and ready tool watch of the 1950s. Although the basics are the same – a 40mm case, a red and blue bezel. and an additional GMT hand, the ref. 126719BLRO is the end result (so far) of more than 60-years of tweaking, fine-tuning, and the elevation of materials.

The case is now crafted from the finest 18k white gold, forged in Rolex’s own foundry. The bezel is the brand’s proprietary Cerachrom ceramic – a scratch-proof, fade-proof, and nigh-on unbreakable material that is diamond polished and coated with a layer of platinum. Additionally, the movement inside is the latest generation Cal. 3285, complete with the revolutionary Chronergy escapement and blue Parachrom hairspring.

If all that wasn’t opulence enough, the watch also offers the ultimate in exclusivity by being topped with a dial made from a genuine meteorite. Consisting mainly of iron and nickel, meteorite is the name for a piece of a celestial object (comet, asteroid, etc.) that has traveled through space and landed on Earth. This is not the first time that Rolex has used the substance in its watches – there are a host of Datejust and Day-Date models with meteorite dials, and the Daytona was also given one this year – but it is the first time seeing it on a GMT-Master.

Meteorite is a fascinating material and one that is completely unique. Each wafer-thin slice used in the dials has its own patterns and striations, known as Widmanstätten structures, which are caused by the extreme temperature changes as the meteor crashed through the Earth’s atmosphere.

What this means is that no two examples of the ref. 126719BLRO will look the same and it also lifts the watch up as a whole. Usually fitted with black or at least very dark dials, the light silvery color of this model is a refreshing change and about as close as many of us will ever get to the mythical white-dial Albino GMT-Master rumored to have been made for PAN-AM senior directors in the 1950s. The reference 126719BLRO is a true luxury watch for the luxury traveler, and the pinnacle of Rolex GMT-Master II watches.

Rolex Explorer II ref. 16570

Explorer II 16570 Key Features:

– Production Years: 1989 – 2011

– Materials: Stainless Steel

– Dial: White or Black w/ Luminou Hour Markers

– Bezel: Fixed, Stainless Steel w/ Engraved 24-Hour Scale

– Movement: Rolex Caliber 3185 or Caliber 3186

– Approx. Price: $8,000 – $15,000

The Rolex Explorer II series has always existed somewhat in the shadows of the GMT-Master range, despite the abundant similarities between the collections. The two shared not only a case for the majority of their respective runs but also the movement powering them. The ref. 16570 represented just the third generation of the watch when it emerged in 1989, and it really only differed from its predecessor (the ref. 16550) in its movement – upgrading from the short-lived Cal. 3085 to the Cal. 3185 for most of its life.

Unlike Rolex’s real icons, the Explorer II has stayed close to the brand’s tool watch roots, never having more than two options for dial colors and only ever issued in stainless steel. Even its sibling, the original Explorer, recently received a two-tone Rolesor version in stainless steel and 18k yellow gold in 2021. However, it is that single-mindedness that has gained the Explorer II a smaller but still highly enthusiastic fan base. This is a Rolex from the old school era and many believe that it is all the better for it.

The reference 16570 is actually the gateway into Rolex Explorer II ownership, with prices starting at around $8,000. For that, you get an extremely tough, versatile watch with a genuine GMT function that is a step away from the usual suspects. Available with either a white (Polar) or black dial, each has a distinct personality; the former bright, crisp and conspicuous, while the latter is understated and stealthy. The extra hour hand is the same as was used on the GMT-Master of the period, long, thin, and finished in red rather than the more popular Freccione style of the original and current examples. An Explorer II from any era is a joy and is seen by many as one of the last ‘real’ Rolex sport watches, and the ref. 16570 is the most attainable of them all.

Omega Planet Ocean 600M GMT ref. 215.30.44.22.01.001

Planet Ocean GMT Key Features:

– Production Years: 2016 – Present

– Case Size: 43.5mm

– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, GMT Functionality, Helium Escape Valve

– Dial: Black w/ Luminou Hour Markers

– Bezel: Bidirectional; Black and White Ceramic w/ 24-Hour Scale

– Crystal: Sapphire (Domed)

– Movement: Omega Caliber 8906

– Water Resistance: 600 Meters

– Strap/Bracelet: Stainless Steel Bracelet

– Approx. Price: $8,000 (New); $6,500 – $9,000 (Pre-Owned)

Giving Rolex a run for its money on just about every front is Omega, whose output over the last few years has been extraordinary. The brand’s Planet Ocean range, first released in 2013, is a case in point. A bigger, deeper, stronger alternative to the fan (and James Bond) favorite Seamaster 300M series, everything here is dialed up to the nth degree, from sizes to materials to abilities. One of the most impressive is the ref. 215.30.44.22.01.001 – or to give it its snappier nickname, the Cookies & Cream.

As with the rest of the Planet Ocean range, the Cookies & Cream is primarily a dive watch, and one with a fearsome 600m water resistance rating. However, it is also the owner of the world’s first polished bi-ceramic black and white bezel, the perfect indicator of nighttime and daytime hours for its GMT function. (If you were wondering, Rolex’s Cerachrom bezels are all made from one piece of ceramic that is then treated to get two colors).

Omega’s resurgence has come as a result of the brand offering its customers a lot of watch for their money, and the Cookies & Cream Planet Ocean GMT is jam-packed with impressive features. Plus, at 43.5mm in diameter and more than 17mm tall, it is also a lot of watch in the literal sense of the word too. In addition to the bezel, the dial is also ceramic and a helium escape valve juts out at the 10 o’clock.

Inside, the movement powering the Cookies & Cream Planet Ocean GMT is a fully in-house, Co-Axial equipped Master Chronometer, accurate to a METAS-certified 0/+5 seconds a day and completely antimagnetic. A proven winner from one of the most storied watchmakers in the business, the Omega Planet Ocean Cookies & Cream is a tough one to beat.

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M GMT Chronograph ref. 212.30.44.52.01.001

Seamaster Diver GMT Chronograph Key Features:

– Production Years: 2014 – Present

– Case Size: 44mm

– Dial: Black w/ Luminous Hour Markers

– Bezel: Unidirectional; Grey Ceramic w/ 60-Minute Scale

– Movement: Omega Caliber 3603

– Water Resistance: 300 Meters

– Approx. Price: $7,100 (New); $4,500 – $6,000 (Pre-Owned)

For those who like their watches with a lot going on, we give you this piece from Omega’s extensive Seamaster Diver 300M series, which manages to be a full-throated dive watch, a chronograph, and a GMT. With so much to do, the ref. 212.30.44.52.01.001 could very well have become an illegible mess, but a combination of intelligent styling and a playing surface of 44mm means that it displays all its information in a practical and readable package.

Concessions have had to be made, of course. The bezel, usually given over to a 24-hour scale on a regular GMT, is instead still a unidirectional dive bezel, inscribed with 60-minute graduations. That has relegated the second time zone markings to the outer edge of the dial where it takes a bit more effort to see them, but that is really nitpicking. The watch’s other talents make up for any inconvenience, such as the unusual ability to operate the chronograph pushers while underwater. An extremely useful function for precisely timing things like decompression stops, it sets the model apart among a sea of rivals.

Like the Planet Ocean above, there is also plenty of presence here. The Omega Seamaster Diver 300M GMT Chronograph sits high off the wrist, with a thick chunky case containing the Omega Co-Axial Caliber 3603. Based on the Piguet 1285, it features a column wheel-controlled chronograph (30-minute and 12-hour counters, with running seconds at 9 o’clock), a date display, a central GMT hand, and a co-axial escapement. COSC-certified, it beats at 4Hz and has a 52-hour reserve. Overall, if you are headed off on vacation and want just one watch to cover every possible situation and every requirement, this one has you covered.

Tudor Black Bay GMT ref. M79830RB-0001

Black Bay GMT Key Features:

– Production Years: 2018 – Present

– Case Size: 41mm

– Bezel: Bidirectional, Aluminum Insert w/ 24-Hour Scale

– Movement: Tudor Caliber MT5652

– Water Resistance: 200 meters

– Approx. Price: $4,100 (New); $3,100 – $5,800 (Pre-Owned)

Rolex sibling company Tudor has been doing great business over the last decade or so by tapping into the public’s obsession for all things vintage, and nowhere more so than with its Black Bay GMT model. Rocking up to Baselworld 2018 with the Black Bay GMT ref. M79830RB-0001, Tudor even managed to steal some of the limelight away from the long-awaited return of a stainless steel Pepsi bezel GMT-Master II from its parent company, which goes some way to proving just how well-loved this watch is among collectors and enthusiasts.

Ironically, Tudor did it by delving back into Rolex’s own archives for inspiration. The Tudor model has all the hallmarks of the first-ever Rolex GMT-Master ref. 6542, with a steel case devoid of crown guards, a matte black dial complete with chapter ring, a blue and red aluminum insert, a coin-edged bezel ring, and even a rivet-style bracelet. To that, Tudor has also drawn from its own history, adding a large 8mm crown reminiscent of the Tudor (and Rolex, for that matter) Submariner watches first seen in the 1950s and (of course) the opinion-dividing Snowflake hands.

However, unlike many brands, Tudor hasn’t gone too far with the retro detailing. There’s no beige ‘fauxtina’ on the hour markers, for instance, which can easily look a bit try-hard if overdone. Inside, nostalgia gives way to modernity, with the in-house MT5652. Tudor’s first-ever homegrown GMT movement, the COSC-certified chronometer features a 28,800vph frequency, a 70-hour power reserve, and an antimagnetic silicon hairspring.

Best of all, as with just about everything that emerges from Tudor’s facilities, is the cost of the Black Bay GMT. This slice of mid-20th century reminiscence retails at just over $4,000, which is less than half the official price of the comparable GMT-Master II, and orders of magnitude cheaper than hunting down a vintage ref. 6542.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT ref. SBGJ201

Grand Seiko SBGJ201 Key Features:

– Production Years: 2017 – Present

– Dial: White w/ Polished Hour Markers

– Bezel: Fixed, Stainless Steel, Smooth Style

– Movement: Grand Seiko Caliber 9S86

– Approx. Price: $7,400 (New); $4,800 – $6,700 (Pre-Owned)

A dressier example than we’ve seen so far, and one teeming with Grand Seiko’s distinctive design codes, the Hi-Beat GMT ref. SBGJ201 is a more elegant take on the travel watch theme. The 40mm steel case is a textbook example of the brand’s ‘Grammar of Design’ philosophy, a styling language devised by Seiko’s celebrated first draftsman, Taro Tanaka, with exquisite angled facets and ultra-clean geometry, highlighted by Zaratsu polishing to give an incredible mirror finish. It has been informing the look of the manufacturer’s output since the 1960s and gives their watches a shape like no other.

However, it is Grand Seiko’s dials that have been creating headlines in the last few years, most notably with the much-loved Snowflake from 2005. As with that piece, the SBGJ201 has also drawn its inspiration from the frozen landscape surrounding the Shizuku-Ishi studio (where the watchmaker’s mechanical models are built) and more specifically, the snow-capped peaks in the distance. The subtle off-white dial has been given a sunburst/lineated texture as if looking out of a car windscreen while driving through a blizzard. Named after the region’s highest mountain, the model is better known as the “Mt. Iwate” among enthusiasts of the brand.

Complimenting the face perfectly are a pair of gleaming, razor-sharp main hands and simple baton hour markers. All have beautifully executed, hand-carved bevels, while an ice blue GMT indicator points out the second time zone on the 24-hour scale around the perimeter. Although not powered by one of GS’s famed Spring Drive movements, the 9S86 is a high beat, 36,000vph caliber with a 55-hour reserve. The 10 ticks-per-second glide of the seconds hand is incredibly smooth to watch in action. An outstanding illustration of Japanese engineering and finishing, the Grand Seiko Mt Iwate GMT is a true class act.

Breitling Navitimer World ref. A2432212

Navitimer World Key Features:

– Production Years: 2012 – Present

– Case Size: 46mm

– Functions: Time w/ Running Seconds, Date Display, 12-Hour Chronograph, GMT Functionality

– Dial: Black or Blue w/ Luminous Hour Markers

– Bezel: Bidirectional, Stainless Steel with Aviator’s Slide Rule

– Movement: Breitling Caliber 24

– Water Resistance: 30 Meters

– Strap/Bracelet: Stainless Steel Bracelet or Leather Strap

– Approx. Price: $7,350 – $7,600 (New); $4,000 – $7,300 (Pre-Owned)

The most famous model among pilot’s watches, the Breitling Navitimer, and its iconic slide rule bezel have been the number one choice for the true aviation enthusiast since 1952. More recently, that hardworking watch took on even more responsibilities, with the 2012 release of the Navitimer World, a 46mm model with a bonus GMT complication, adding 24-hour gradations to a dial already full of logarithmic scales.

However, while it would be easy to imagine displaying all that information (plus a date function and chronograph) would be too cluttered and confusing, it is all perfectly legible and intuitive. You could actually be forgiven for thinking the World was a standard Navi at first glance, and it is only upon closer inspection that you see the red-tipped additional hour hand and golden 24-hour numerals. Handily, the case back has been engraved with the time zones of the world’s major cities as well.

The movement is the Breitling 24, an automatic caliber based on the ETA/Valjoux 7754. Chronometer-rated, it offers users a 42-hour reserve and 28,800vph balance speed. Breitling The Navitimer World comes with either a black or blue dial, and with a selection of leather straps or Breitling’s intricate seven-link steel bracelet. Possibly the most complete pilot’s tool watch, The Navitimer World really has just about everything covered.

Panerai Luminor GMT ref. PAM01088

Luminor GMT PAM01088 Key Features:

– Movement: Panerai Caliber OPXXXI

– Strap/Bracelet: Leather or Rubber Strap

– Approx. Price: $7,500 – $7,600 (New); $6,500 – $8,300 (Pre-Owned)

Another of the industry’s most recognizable designs, the Panerai Luminor range currently consists of more than 60 watches, ranging from simple time-only models to some extraordinary haute horlogerie examples boasting skeletonized tourbillons and equation of time moonphase complications. Among them are several GMT models, including the PAM01088, a 44mm stainless steel piece, with all the essential Panerai elements present and correct.

The dial is the definition of legibility itself, with enormous lume-drenched Arabic numerals in the proprietary font at the 12 and 6, with similarly glowing large batons for the rest. The running seconds are given their own sub-dial at the 9 o’clock and the case is the archetypal cushion shape with (of course) that signature lever-controlled bridge protecting the winding crown. However, the handset differs from the norm, with great fat cutout main hands with lumed ends, and a small arrow-tipped GMT hand pointing to the 24-hour scale around the dial’s edge. A date display sits at the 3 o’clock location, with an internal Cyclops-esque magnifying lens above.

Under the hood sits the Caliber OP XXXI, a self-winding movement (unlike some of the Luminor series) based on the ETA/Valjoux 7750. Perhaps the most widely used third-party movement ever, it actually starts life as a chronograph. However, Panerai has removed the stopwatch module and replaced it with their own GMT unit. Working away at 28,800vph, it offers a healthy 50-hour power reserve.

As for the all-important straps and bracelets beloved by the Paneristi, take your pick from the supplied Scamosciato dark brown leather, or the diving black rubber strap, each secured with a steel tang buckle. A useful and stylish addition to any collection, the Panerai Luminor GMT is a superb everyday sports watch.

Longines Spirit Zulu Time

Longines, renowned for equipping aviation legends like Hugh Herndon, Clyde Pangborn, and Amy Johnson, has elegantly tapped into its heritage with the introduction of the Zulu Time model in its Spirit collection. This model, named after the military term for Greenwich Mean Time (GMT), showcases a robust stainless steel case available in both 42mm and 39mm sizes. Inside each timepiece beats a newly developed proprietary movement, enabling the precise adjustment of the traditional hour hand and a GMT hand. This feature brilliantly tracks an additional time zone along the 24-hour bezel, which is adorned with lacquered engraved numerals set into a vibrant ceramic bezel insert.

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Timer GMT ref. 01 748 7756 4064-07 3 22 02LC

ProPilot Timer GMT Key Features Key Features:

– Bezel: Bidirectional, Stainless Steel w/ 60-Minute Scale

– Movement: Oris Caliber 748

– Strap/Bracelet: Textile or Leather Strap; Stainless Steel Bracelet

– Approx. Price: $2,600 (New); $1,600 – $2,600 (Pre-Owned)

A brand that has always been a big favorite of ours, Oris has some of the best value for the money watches in the entire Swiss watch business. The brand’s portfolio covers four main areas: Diving, Culture, MotorSport, and Aviation, and it is within that last category that you will find the Big Crown ProPilot Timer GMT.

A more vintage aesthetic than Oris’s Aquis dive models, the ProPilot Timer GMT has all the necessary requirements of a true pilot’s watch. It has a sizable diameter of 44mm, with acres of room on the dial for large, SuperLumiNova coated indexes. The long hands and thin bezel only add to the feeling of space, and the watch’s 24-hour numerals are found around the perimeter, sitting on the dial’s raised outer flange. The GMT hand is topped with a red arrow, which looks like a top-down view of an Avro Vulcan, with its famous Delta wing. That leaves the bidirectional bezel available for a 60-minute scale, meaning that it can act as a timer too.

Additionally, both the bezel edge and the titular big crown are given aviation-style knurling to aid with grip – which is handy if you happen to be wearing gloves. The movement is the Oris 748, which is actually the Sellita SW220-1. An excellent, hardworking caliber, it has a respectable 38-hour reserve, 26 jewels, and beats at 28,800vph. Turn the ProPilot Timer GMT over and you will see through the sapphire case back that Oris has added its trademark red rotor.

As an all-round, fully-fledged pilot’s watch, the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Timer GMT ticks just about every box, and at around $2,500 (and even less on the pre-owned market) you will go a long way before you find another Swiss-made GMT watch that offers so much for so little.

Oris Aquis GMT Date

The Oris Aquis GMT Date displays time with striking clarity, thanks to its Superluminova hour markers and hands, and a GMT hand in a contrasting yellow. It features a tough ceramic 24-hour bezel, allowing for easy tracking of two time zones simultaneously. This watch, a trendsetter in stainless steel, boasts a robust case just over 43mm in diameter, a sophisticated multi-link bracelet, and a reliable self-winding movement. Whether it’s for underwater adventures or as a stylish travel companion, the Oris is designed to impress. Overall a nice watch at incredible value for any collector.

About Paul Altieri

Paul Altieri is a vintage and pre-owned Rolex specialist, entrepreneur, and the founder and CEO of BobsWatches.com. - the largest and most trusted name in luxury watches. He is widely considered a pioneer in the industry for bringing transparency and innovation to a once-considered stagnant industry. His experience spans over 35 years and he has been published in numerous publications including Forbes, The NY Times, WatchPro, and Fortune Magazine. Paul is committed to staying up-to-date with the latest research and developments in the watch industry and e-commerce, and regularly engages with other professionals in the industry. He is a member of the IWJG, the AWCI and a graduate of the GIA. Alongside running the premier retailer of pre-owned Rolex watches, Paul is a prominent Rolex watch collector himself amassing one of the largest private collections of rare timepieces. In an interview with the WSJ lifestyle/fashion editor Christina Binkley, Paul opened his vault to display his extensive collection of vintage Rolex Submariners and Daytonas. Paul Altieri is a trusted and recognized authority in the watch industry with a proven track record of expertise, professionalism, and commitment to excellence.

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The 20 Best GMT Watches You can Buy Right Now

By Thom Esveld

Updated on August 7, 2023

Short for “ Greenwich Mean Time “, GMT is probably the most useful mechanical watch complication ever created, capable of keeping time in two different time zones simultaneously.

That’s usually accomplished by having a fourth hand added which acts as a secondary hour hand, which makes a rotation every 24 hours, used to read time at home on the 24 hour scale, often being able to tell if it’s daytime or nighttime, a very practical function when traveling.

Before you go looking for a GMT watch, you should know that there are two types of GMT watches. There’s the “ true GMT “, also known as a traveler’s GMT, and the so called “office GMT” .

With the true GMT, the main handset is adjusted independently of the GMT hand, in one hour increments, which makes adjusting local time very easy without disturbing the GMT hand showing time at home.

The office GMT on the other hand works differently, allowing easy adjustment of the GMT hand without disturbing the main handset. But that means that adjusting the local time, or main handset, means resetting the entire watch, which is inconvenient.

True GMT complications are more difficult to make, which also makes them the more expensive of the bunch.

Nevertheless, we’re more inclined towards true GMT watches, so let’s take a closer look at some of the best GMT wristwatches you can buy right now.

• 20. Bell & Ross BR V2-93 GMT

The Bell & Ross BR V2-93 GMT is a superb traveler’s watch. It strays away from the usual square shaped design that Bell & Ross are well known for, but keeping their recognizable simplicity with a high contrast dial, a monochromatic 24 hour bezel, and an orange tipped GMT hand.

The secondary hand is blacked out for the most part, blending in the black background of the dial, with only the orange tip seemingly moving, which makes for a very interesting effect.

The $3,250 watch comes in a 41mm stainless steel case, with stainless steel bracelet, and it looks extremely handsome.

• 19. Oris Aquis GMT Date

Oris is ever impressive with its collections, and the Aquis GMT Date is among their best. What’s interesting is that it’s a dive watch at its core, with a 300m depth rating and legible dial, and it also has a GMT function.

This is something rare, but it’s a welcome addition on the market. The watch comes in a 43.5mm stainless steel case, paired with a stainless steel bracelet with superb satin brushed center links.

Probably the best thing about this watch is its affordable price. You would probably expect more than the $2,800 it costs.

• 18. Longines Spirit Zulu Time

The Longines Spirit Zulu Time is another stunner with a good price, at just a little under $3k. Longines might not be the brand most people would look to for such a timepiece, but the truth is that the brand has long favored the GMT complication.

The Spirit Zulu Time is one of our favorites, featuring several colors, a high contrast dial with gold accents that give it an old world vibe, and a 42mm case that should fit well on most wrists.

• 17. Bulgari Aluminium GMT

The Bulgari Aluminium GMT is another popular take on the pepsi bezel watch, but one that comes in an aluminum case instead of the ubiquitous stainless steel. The 40mm case is lighter and more comfortable on the wrist, and comes with a rubber bezel that has the brand’s name engraved on it instead of the typical 24 hour scale.

The two toned 24 hour scale is found instead on the outer ring of the dial, giving the watch a fresh look when compared with your typical pepsi bezel piece. The rubber bezel continues nicely with a rubber strap, completing the look of the watch.

The price of the Aluminium GMT rises to just a little under $4k.

• 16. IWC Pilot’s Watch UTC Spitfire

IWC is the luxury watch brand of choice for many enthusiasts when it comes to pilot watches. But that doesn’t mean they don’t have anything else to offer. Actually, they do, and their UTC Spitfire is a wonderful blend of the pilot style and GMT watch.

But instead of going for the traditional approach, they made it a lot more interesting, opting for a rotating inner disk with a 24 hour track, displayed at the 12 o’clock position.

The IWC Pilot’s Watch UTC Spitfire also comes with a separate date complication at 3 o’clock, and a surprisingly small case, made from bronze, with only 39mm in diameter. Also to be expected is the increase in price, selling for around $5,300.

• 15. Tudor Black Bay GMT

The Tudor Black Bay GMT is the quintessential pepsi watch for those who don’t have the full budget for the Rolex GMT Master II. It only costs around $4,175, almost three times cheaper than the alternative.

What you get for the money is that vintage charm of the pepsi watch, a quite small case, measuring only 41mm, the high contrast dial with the brand’s highly appreciated snowflake handset, plus a COSC certified chronometer movement, the Caliber MT5652.

• 14. Breitling Avenger II GMT

Breitling is one of those highly appreciated watchmakers that never compromise on quality and craftsmanship, and their Avenger II GMT shows that.

It’s a very masculine timepiece, with an aviation themed dial, a nice and robust bezel with aviation inspired fonts for the 24 hour scale, and a non slip textured crown that’s very tactile.

Inside, there’s a Breitling 32 automatic movement with a water resistance of 300m. The price of this timepiece rises to around $4,300.

• 13. Panerai Luminor Due GMT Power Reserve

Panerai might not be an obvious choice for a GMT watch, but they do have some offerings. Their Luminor Due GTM Power Reserve is a particularly interesting one, besides the extra GMT hand, an AM/PM indicator at 9 o’clock, and a power reserve indicator between 4 and 5 o’clock.

The dial is impressive, especially in its brushed sunburst blue variation, but the case is rather large at 45mm, and it also requires quite a hefty budget, at over $12k.

• 12. Jacob & Co. EpiC SF24

The Jacob & Co. EpiC SF24 is a rather peculiar and extravagant sight. Besides the uncommon dial design, the GMT function comes in the form of a split-flap complication at the top of the dial, which requires the push of a button on its side to display a different timezone and its associated city.

This isn’t your every day type of watch, and that’s clear from the use of rose gold and the price tag which rises to an incredible $112,000.

• 11. Greubel Forsey GMT Sport

If you think the above is expensive, take a look at this Greubel Forsey GMT Sport, which is probably the most expensive GMT timepiece in the world, priced at no less than $300,000, and that seems to be on the used market. The price for a new one is on demand.

The watch is like anything you’ve seen so far, offering the wearer a very interesting time telling experience, with several beautiful complications to marvel at, including an AM/PM indicator, power reserve, a Tourbillon, and a fully rendered globe with a 24 hour ring around it. Sure, reading time won’t be so easy, but who cares when you’ve got so much beauty to admire on its dial.

The watch is made up of 435 parts, encased in a titanium case that measures 45mm in diameter. It’s a big timepiece, but it’s well worth it if you’ve got what it takes.

• 10. Bremont H-4 Hercules Steel

Going back to more “earthly” price tags, if $11,900 can be called that, we’ve got the Bremont H-4 Hercules Steel, an aviator style piece that brings homage to the largest airplane ever built, the H-4 Hercules Spruce Goose, also known as the Flying Boat.

This watch comes with a vintage aesthetic, a decently sized 43mm stainless steel case, and a lovely 24 hour ring in a color scheme that strays far away from the too common pepsi GMT watch. The dial comes in a matte black color with nickel syringe hands, while the 24 hour outer ring is a combination of black and subtle light tan, a much more elegant style than what we’re used to.

It’s one of the most elegant GMT watches out there, and wait until you see the other two variants, in platinum or rose gold.

• 9. Blancpain Villeret GMT Date

The Blancpain Villeret GMT Date is a stunner in the most classic way possible. It’s the quintessence of elegance in the watch world. The warm colored dial features Roman numerals on its outer ring, gracefully hugging a smaller 24 hour inner ring with Arab numerals.

The main handset comes with openworked leaf shaped hands, while the GMT hand is thin with a red arrow shaped tip, indicating the time in the second timezone.

There’s also a handy and subtly done date window at 3 o’clock, matching the overall elegance of this superb dress timepiece . The watch comes in a very comfortable 40mm case size, with only the price making some people uncomfortable, rising to over $14,000.

• 8. Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GMT “Deep Black”

If you love all black timepieces, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M GMT “Deep Black” is a gorgeous choice among all the GMT watches. The timepiece presents itself in a black zirconium oxide monobloc 43.5mm case with an all black ceramic dial and a huge 600m water resistance rating.

The dial comes with an outer ring for its 24 hour scale and a GMT hand with an arrow shaped tip in red, showing time in the second timezone.

• 7. Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual

The Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual comes with a timeless dial arrangement in an 18k white gold case , paired with a black leather strap. The dial has plenty on display, yet it remains elegant.

There’s a date display with perpetual calendar, and a subtle exterior 24 hour ring, that indicates time in the second timezone through an arrow shaped hand with silver tip and arm that blends in with the background of the dial. The watch is available for $10,500.

• 6. Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time

Leaning on the more expensive side with a price tag of $55,590, the Patek Philippe Calatrava Travel Time comes in a 42mm case and a design that brings homage to those timeless pilot watches of the 1930s.

What makes this watch so expensive is the mechanism for its dual time function, which allows the wearer to move the hour hand in either direction via two pushers on the left side of the case white at the same time uncoupling it from the gear train without losing its timekeeping accuracy during the change.

• 5. Chopard L.U.C GMT One Black Edition

The Chopard L.U.C GMT One Black Edition is another gorgeous addition to the best of the best GMT timepieces. It’s a premium timepiece, and an extremely elegant one, featuring a ceramized titanium case, 42mm in size.

The dial comes in a galvanic gray, with both the 12 hour and 24 hour rings, with daytime and nighttime sectors in a monochromatic color scheme that adds to the overall elegance of the piece.

Instead of a middle placed crown, there’s two, at 2 and 4 o’clock, one for the local time and date adjustment, and the other for the second timezone. This delightful timepiece comes in at a price of $11,500.

• 4. Hublot Big Bang Unico GMT

Another less obvious brand choice when looking for a more practical timepiece such as a GMT watch is Hublot. Priced at over $24,000, their Big Bang Unico GMT brings the impressive visual detail of the Big Bang collection but adds the utility of a GMT pointer and a day/night inner ring for easy AM/PM reading.

It also opts for an interesting 12 hour bezel that shows only the odd hours, working in conjunction with the 12 hour ring of the dial which shows the even ones.

• 3. Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time

The Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time combines the sportiness that has always characterized the Overseas collection with a unique take on the dual time functionality.

This timepiece brings an interesting AM/PM indicator at 9 o’clock, a round date indicator at 6 o’clock, a fourth arrow tipped hand, and despite the lack of a 24 hour ring, it satisfies through the stunning blue dial.

Also, since we’re talking about an iconic Vacheron Constantin here, its price is high, this watch setting you back a little over $27k.

• 2. H. Moser & Cie Heritage Dual Time

Staying around the $20k price tag, we’ve got the H. Moser & Cie Heritage Dual Time, a stunning timepiece with that iconic Fume dial that made every watch enthusiast go crazy about it when it first appeared.

The 42mm watch features a gray GMT hand which shows time in a second time zone, but can hide behind the main hour hand when not in use, adhering to the beautiful simplicity of this timepiece. The subtle date complication at 6 o’clock is in tune with the rest of the dial as well.

This watch seems to offer plenty of technical details but it somehow manages to keep everything so clean and minimalistic.

• 1. Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi”

This list wouldn’t have been complete without the watch that started it all, the Rolex GMT-Master II “Pepsi”. Though there are some other timepieces on this list that look better than this, we can’t deny that this is probably the most recognizable GMT watch around.

You’ve got the obvious 24 hour red/blue pepsi dial, and all the typical Rolex traits you’d expect.

Final Thoughts

When it comes to GMT watches, you can either go the traditional way with the original Rolex GMT-Master or something like the Tudor Black Bay GMT that follows the same lines, or choose from a great variety of interesting takes on the iconic complication.

There are some very unique approaches on how to display a second timezone, but make sure to check the price as well, because some may be too expensive even for those with the largest budgets.

About Thom Esveld

Thom has over 7 years of experience writing content about subjects such as travel, cars, motorcycles, tech & gadgets, and his newly discovered passion, watches. He’s in love with two wheeled machines and the freedom and the thrills that motorcycle travel provides. Learn more about Luxatic's Editorial Process .

1 thought on “The 20 Best GMT Watches You can Buy Right Now”

Having gone to the trouble of explaining true vs traveller, it might have been nice to indicate which was which in the article.

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6 of the Best Travel Watches Around Right Now

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Rolex Explorer II Read more

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If nothing else, the last year or so has made foreign travel an adventure again, at least for those who enjoy navigating their way through vaccination regimes and test requirements. It feels long ago when instead the burning question was whether it’s cocktail hour at the destination yet.

For the well-prepared traveler, the answer is on your wrist, as one of the few really useful complications watchmakers offer is the ability to show two or more time zones at a glance. Simply put, a “complication” in watch parlance is any function on a timepiece other than showing the time, such as a stopwatch or moon-phase display. Of course, you can do it in your head or use a world-time app on your phone, but a GMT or worldtimer saves you the bother and looks considerably more stylish. 

However, as easy as it is for you to decipher, showing multiple time zones is a significant challenge for both the watchmakers and the designer, as there’s always a tradeoff between simplicity and utility. How do you want the second time zone to be set? Should it link to the date? Do the time zones need to be named? How do you make sure the “travel” time is sufficiently distinct from the “home” time? What about places with just 30-minute differences? 

Here is our edit of some of the best mechanical worldtimers you can get right now, from entry level to high-end. All should serve you well, wherever your travels—once they begin again in earnest—may take you.

The standard approach to a GMT watch is exemplified by the Explorer II from Rolex, which has a second hour in bright orange that runs on a 24-hour cycle: set this 24-hour hand for your second time zone, then read the hour off the bezel scale, and minutes as normal. 

The design is built entirely around the presence of the extra hand and the bezel, with the contrast between hour and GMT hands being a feature rather than a hindrance (whether that’s a good thing is a straightforward matter of taste).

It’s simple, effective, and, as it’s a Rolex, bomb-proof. And even if you’re not traveling across time zones, Rolex points out that it might be useful for distinguishing day from night, should you emerge from a storm in an Arctic high summer.

This new version retains the signature 42mm sizing (want a larger case? Look to the brand's rugged 43mm Sea-Dweller and 44mm Deepsea). Inside is the in-house caliber 3285 power plant, new in the Explorer II, and the same currently found in the GMT-Master II. 

The really good news is this 3285 automatic movement—powered by the natural movement of the body as you wear it—packs in the best that Rolex currently offers: Chronergy escapement, 70 hours of power reserve, blue Parachrom balance spring and Paraflex shock absorbers. What does all this mean? A much more accurate, efficient, and robust piece that keeps running much longer after you've stopped wearing it.

There is currently no way to purchase a Rolex online. You will need to use Rolex's dealer locator that we've linked to below. This page has the model information you'll want to share with a dealer.

The same solution seen in the Rolex is behind Bell & Ross’s BR03-93 GMT, but the design makes the GMT more subservient to the watch design, obviously derived from the modular format of cockpit instruments, an aviation-inspired look that Bell & Ross has come to dominate over its 30-year history. 

One difference here is that the bezel can be turned, giving the watch more flexibility in terms of the extra time zone (the bezel is rotated however many hours difference between home time and the third zone to see the time in that destination without having to set the watch). Some will welcome that, others will see it as a complication too far, but it’s a smart watch that delivers a design presence that Rolex doesn’t look for. Speaking of which, the popular colorways of red and black—the "Coke" look as opposed to the red and blue "Pepsi" style—will justifiably draw attention.

The sturdy 42mm watch also has 100-meter water resistance, a 42-hour power reserve, curved anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a small, subtle rounded date window towards the 4:30 position. Yes, you get a black calfskin leather strap, but we prefer this ultra-resilient synthetic fabric option.

Breitling’s Chronomat UTC offers a brutally effective, if not especially subtle, solution to the demand for worldtimer watches: fit a completely separate mini, quartz-powered watch into the strap . 

It helps that the Chronomat is a hefty piece of kit to begin with—44mm by 14.45mm, so the extra bulk shouldn’t be an issue. The mechanical movement has 70 hours of power reserve, which is the length of time it continues to tick once you have removed the Chronomat from your wrist. It's also water-resistant up to 200 meters.

The “UTC" name references Coordinated Universal Time, or UTC , the primary time standard by which the world regulates clocks and time and is not adjusted for daylight saving, making it effectively a successor to Greenwich Mean Time, or GMT, which is where worldtimers derive their alternative moniker from.

The Chronomat was inspired by the Frecce Tricolori watch that Breitling created for the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic fleet back in 1983, and is very much an all-purpose sports watch, which explains why the second time zone function was incorporated into the strap and not the watch itself.

There’s an alternative solution that can be seen in Chopard’s latest travel watch, the L.U.C Time Traveler One Black, which is to show time everywhere in the world at once, via an arrangement of counter-rotating discs on the edge of the dial. 

Amazingly, it’s almost suspiciously easy to read—the number below the city is the time there—but it needs a sensitive designer to manage the hierarchy of information delivered. Going monotone, as Chopard’s watch shows, is a beautifully effective way of doing just that. 

It's actually based on the Time Traveler One launched back in 2016, but now with an added dose of modernity thanks to that monochrome color palette that extends to the 42mm ceramised titanium case (which has a hardness of 700 Vickers when 316L stainless steel has a hardness of 150 to 200 Vickers). On closer inspection, it's not black but myriad subtle shades of gray. This is the secret to the watch's legibility. 

One the outside of the dial is a city disc, marked with 24 locations around the globe. The crown at 4 o’clock lets the user rotate this city disc. When the chosen city for the local time is set at the 12 o’clock position, you can determine the prevailing hour in all of those 24 locations simultaneously.

TAG Heuer has just dropped three new 2022 Autavia models comprising two new chronograph models and this, a three-hand GMT model—a first for TAG's Autavia collection to mark the line's 60th year.

Fitted with an automatic movement that will keep running up to 50 hours after you've taken the watch off, the piece focuses on simplicity and legibility: numerals and hands coated with glow-in-the-dark Super-LumiNova on an uncluttered blue dial contained in a 42mm steel case that's water-resistant to 100 meters. 

The addition of easily interchangeable straps is another boon, with traditional stainless-steel or  leather straps as well as on-trend woven NATO bands, too.

Not all globe-trotting GMT watches cost the Earth. Christopher Ward's C63 Sealander GMT has a pleasingly classic style yet costs a fraction of the other pieces here. You get a round stainless steel 39mm case secure to 150 meters, a power reserve that extends to 56 hours, and this piece is the first from the brand to use its new automatic movement that not only adds the display of a second time zone (indicated by the large orange hand), but also allows for a slightly more precise GMT setting than the previous version. 

It is available in black, white, green or blue polished lacquer dials, boasts an anti-shock system and is compatible with a range quick-change straps that includes this options made from recycled ocean plastic.

In the past, a criticism levied at Christopher Ward has been a tendency to add unnecessary information and clutter to its dials, as it did with its 2014 C900 Worldtimer, but here there are no such issues. It's smart and simple. 

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The Best GMT Watches You Can Buy In 2024

Here is a roundup of the best GMT watches you can buy in 2024, featuring the latest from the Longines Master Collection, the iconic Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 'Pepsi', and the increasingly rare Cartier Tonneau Dual Time

GMT watches are favored for their practicality and versatility, making them popular among frequent travelers, pilots, and professionals who work across different time zones. The salient feature of a GMT watch is to allow the wearer to keep a track of at least two time zones simultaneously. To achieve this, the dial gets an additional hand, also known as the GMT hand, which points to a 24-hour scale to keep the time of the second time zone. Some GMT watches are pretty much straightforward in their functionality, but the category quickly escalates with features like rotating bezels and extra subdials for greater functionality. With a wide variety of functions packed into GMT watches, choosing the best one can be overwhelming. To simplify your search, we have curated a list of our favorite GMT timepieces – from the legendary Rolex GMT-Master II 'Pepsi' to Patek Philippe Calatrava 37 Pilot Travel Time, here is a list of some of the best GMT watches you can buy in 2024:

Rolex Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II 'Pepsi'

Affectionately known as the Rolex Pepsi for its striking red and blue Cerachrom bezel, the Oyster Perpetual GMT-Master II Ref. 126710BLRO-0002 houses a black dial. Apart from a bidirectional rotatable 24-hour graduated bezel, the watch also includes an arrow-tipped hand that goes around the dial once every 24 hours. This red 24-hour hand displays the home reference time in the first time zone, which the wearer can read on the bezel's graduations. You can also easily set the traveler's local time using the winding crown. Waterproof to 100 meters, the 40mm Oystersteel case comes equipped with a scratch-resistant sapphire and cyclops lens over the date and is paired with the Oystersteel bracelet. The self-winding Manufacture Rolex 3285 powers the watch, achieving approximately 70 hours of power reserve.

Tudor Black Bay GMT

The Black Bay GMT is a 41mm steel timepiece that is equipped with a bidirectional rotatable 48-notch bezel in steel with a 24-hour graduated anodised aluminum disc in matt burgundy and blue. The rotating bezel displays the time shown by the 24-hour hand and can be turned to 48 positions in either direction while the date window shows the current date. The 24-hour hand moves around the dial once every 24 hours and corresponds to the reference time. It shows a second or a third time zone based on the position of the bezel. The Black Bay GMT Ref. M79830RB-0001 is paired with a riveted steel bracelet and powered by the self-winding manufacture caliber MT5652, delivering a power reserve of around 70 hours.

Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time

The Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time offers a 37.5mm case in white gold, which houses a blue lacquered dial and comes paired with a navy blue calfskin strap. The skeletonised hour hand indicates home time. Both time zones have separate day and night indicators; the local window at nine o'clock for local time and the home window at three o'clock for home time. A highly practical feature for travelers, the date is perpetually synchronized with local time because the time zone pushers also increment or decrement the date if the local time hour hand passes midnight either clockwise or counterclockwise. The Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ref. 7234G-001 is driven by the self-winding caliber 324 S C FUS movement, generating a maximum power reserve of 45 hours.

Omega Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Chronograph Solar Impulse

The Omega Skywalker X-33 Chronograph rightfully adds to Omega Speedmaster's legacy that is etched in space history. The Speedmaster Skywalker X-33 Solar Impulse Ref. 318.92.45.79.03.001 is a limited-edition watch powered only by solar energy. Packed inside a 45mm titanium case, it is worn on a blue and green-bordered polyamide NATO strap. The blue and green dial features white transferred indexes and hour markers coated with white Super-LumiNova. Powered by the quartz chronograph Omega caliber 5619 with special functions tested and qualified by the European Space Agency, this Speedmaster uses analogue hands and LCD windows display to show several functions, like three different time zones, chronograph, timer, mission elapsed time, phase elapsed time, three alarms, and perpetual calendar.

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT

The Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT is one of the world's slimmest self-winding watches to pack a chronograph and GMT function. A coveted piece in the luxury sports watch segment, the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Ref. 103661 features a sleek monochromatic design in satin-polished stainless steel, paired with a silvered dial. The 43mm steel case is paired with a matching bracelet. This Octo Finissimo catches your attention with its tri-compax layout where small seconds appear at nine o'clock, 30-minute elapsed times at six o'clock, and the GMT function inside the subdial at three o'clock. The pusher on the caseband at nine o'clock adjusts the local time in one-hour increments. The watch is powered by the automatic BVL318 caliber, which is a record-setting movement with a thickness of just 3.30mm.

TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT

TAG Heuer 's Aquaracer collection is a host to several highly functional dive watches. This year, the brand presented the latest generation of the Aquaracer Professional 300, offered with a GMT complication. First in the lineup of 42mm steel models is the Ref. WBP5115.BA0013, which features a green sunray brushed dial with a green GMT hand. This model is paired with a steel bracelet. The Ref. WBP5114.BA0013 and Ref. WBP5114.FT6259 house a blue dial with a light blue GMT hand. While the former comes paired with a steel bracelet, the latter is offered on a blue rubber strap. The automatic TH31-03 COSC movement drives all three GMT iterations, beating at a frequency of 4Hz and churning out a power reserve of around 80 hours.

Cartier Tonneau Dual Time

Now a rare find, the Cartier Tonneau Dual Time is one of the brand's most cherished timepieces. This GMT watch finds its home inside a beautiful 46mm yellow gold case, whose charm is further augmented by a red alligator leather strap with a yellow gold pin buckle. Its watch face being the most interesting part of the package presents a white dial with black Roman numerals, which has been divided in two for the GMT function. With two dials, the watch features two crowns, each used to set the time for different time zones. Powered by a quartz movement, the watch leverages two distinct mechanisms to power two sets of blued steel hands. The watch's tonneau shape also allows this GMT watch to boast elegantly curved sides and rounded edges.

Montblanc Star 42 Traditional Chronograph GMT

The Montblanc Star 42 Traditional Chronograph GMT is a 42mm stainless steel watch that packs a black-coloured guilloche dial with Arabic numerals and silver-plated leaf and baton hands. The watch is completed with a black alligator leather strap with a steel pin buckle. The Star 42 Traditional Chronograph GMT Ref. 102135 is equipped with the self-winding caliber MB 25.03 chronograph movement, which indicates the elapsed seconds via a central chronograph seconds hand, elapsed minutes in a 30-minute counter, and the elapsed hours in a 12-hour counter. The date display is found in the aperture at three o'clock. This chrono engine also incorporates a GMT complication, which enables tracking of the second time zone using a GMT hand. The automatic engine achieves a power reserve of around 42 hours.

Panerai Radiomir 3 Days GMT Oro Rosso

The Panerai Radiomir 3 Days GMT Oro Rosso Ref. PAM00598 packs both panache and functionality with its 47mm polished Goldtech case and GMT complication. The case, which is equipped with a sapphire crystal and paired with a black alligator leather strap, is set with a polished Goldtech bezel. Its see-through sapphire crystal at the back offers a view of the hand-wound mechanical P.3001/10 caliber movement, which enables several functions, such as the power reserve, small seconds at nine o'clock, hours, minutes, date at three o'clock, and GMT differential. The Goldtech case finds a charming contrast with its blue dial, featuring luminous Arabic numerals and hour markers. The mechanical movement beats at the frequency of 3Hz and delivers a power reserve of around three days.

Grand Seiko Hi-Beat GMT SBGJ277 And Spring Drive 3-Day GMT SBGE307

The Grand SGBE307 Spring Drive GMT is a 44.5mm titanium watch with a matching H-link bracelet. The SBGE307 houses Grand Seiko 's 9R66 Spring Drive movement with added GMT functionality. The 9R66's automatic winding movement offers a power reserve of around 72 hours. The reddish-brown of the GMT hand contrasts well with the white dial showing a lion's mane pattern. With GMT functionality, the local hour hand and the 24-hour hand can be set to different time zones to track the time in two locations at once. In the SBGJ277, the green color of the rotating bezel contrasts with the white of the dial, which sits inside a 44.2mm steel case that is paired with a matching bracelet. The mechanical Hi-Beat 36000 GMT 9S86 movement powers the watch, achieving a power reserve of around 55 hours.

Louis Vuitton Tambour Twenty

Louis Vuitton, known for its historical association with travel, introduced the Tambour watch in 2002. Building on the original, this year the brand unveiled the Tambour Twenty. Limited-edition of 200 pieces, the watch is packed inside a 41.5mm drum-shaped steel case paired with a dark brown alligator leather strap. Sitting inside the case is the brown sunray brushed dial with applied Arabic numerals and baton indexes. The yellow 12-hour counter at six o'clock pairs with an elongated yellow central chronograph seconds hand featuring a unique lozenge-shaped counterweight, alongside yellow chronograph hands. The La Fabrique du Temps LV 277 automatic movement is a high-frequency caliber based on the historic Zenith El Primero movement. Operating at 5Hz, this column-wheel chronograph movement provides a power reserve of approximately 50 hours.

Breitling Navitimer Chronograph GMT 46

The Navitimer Chronograph GMT 46 Ref. A24322121C1P1 delivers a highly practical dual time zone system for easy timekeeping. An additional red-tipped central hand shows the time in another part of the world on a 24-hour scale, indicating day or night in that location. The watch is encased in a 46mm stainless steel case paired with a blue alligator leather strap. The caseback is also engraved with the time zones of the world's major cities, making it a standout GMT watch for both travelers and collectors. The self-winding mechanical Breitling 24 movement enables multiple functions, such as the 1/4th second, 30 minutes, and 12 hours. This engine operates at a frequency of 4Hz and offers a power reserve of around 42 hours.

Longines Master Collection GMT

The Longines Master Collection GMT watches are limited to 500 pieces each, crafted from either 18K yellow gold or 18K rose gold. Both references house the same frosted silver dial, which showcases a 24-hour scale with Arabic numerals, a railroad minute track, 11 applied gold Roman numerals, and a date aperture at six o'clock. Gold hands mark the time, complemented by a black GMT hand that matches the numerals on the 24-hour scale. These Longines Master Collection GMT watches are paired with an anthracite gray leather strap. Both iterations are driven by the Longines L844.5 caliber. This self-winding mechanical movement is visible through the transparent sapphire caseback and offers a power reserve of up to 72 hours.

Kurono Tokyo GMT 1

The GMT complication in the Kurono Tokyo GMT 1 simplifies tracking different time zones. Rather than adjusting the 24-hour hand, the local hour hand can be independently adjusted in one-hour increments forward or backward, with the date adjusting accordingly. The 24-hour arrow hand in red is filled with Super-LumiNova. With its bi-directional bezel, the watch offers a variety of timekeeping functions beyond a third time zone. The watch sits inside a 38mm highly polished steel case, which is paired with a black calf leather strap. Nominated as a finalist in the 'Challenge' category for the 2023 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève Awards, the Kurono Tokyo GMT 1 combines a bold art-deco design with the high-frequency Miyota 9075 movement, crafted in Japan, operating at 4Hz, and offering a power reserve of approximately 42 hours.

Related Watches

GMT-Master II "Pepsi" Oyster

Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Stainless Steel Blue Dial

Radiomir 3-Days GMT Oro Rosso Rose Gold Blue Dial

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Top 11 Best Affordable GMT watches [List & Guide]

Top 11 Best Affordable GMT watches [List & Guide]

GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time, and whenever you hear the term ”GMT” being used in the context of watches, it refers to the watch having an additional hour hand – a GMT hand. This means that the watch actually has two hour hands. Why, you may ask?

Well, GMT watches have one hour hand for regular timekeeping, and the additional hour hand is used to allow you to actually keep track of multiple timezones simultaneously. To enable this, GMT watches have, together with the GMT hand, a 24-hour bezel which is the indicator of the hours. Some GMT watches have fixed GMT bezels, which only allow you to keep track of one additional timezone. But other, more advanced timepieces, are equipped with bidirectional rotating bezels which allow you to keep track of multiple timezones simultaneously by rotating the bezel.

Greenwich mean time is actually the solar time according to the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. Unlike most time zones around the world, GMT is not affected by Daylight Savings.

The history of GMT stretches all the way back to 1884 when it was decided by an international convention that Greenwich would be the “mean time”, the ”reference time” against all of the other of the world’s time zones would be compared.  

The first GMT watch

The first GMT watch ever made was the Rolex GMT-Master reference 6542 which was released in 1954. The GMT-Master was conceived after PanAm requested a timepiece from Rolex that would make it possible to keep track of multiple timezones simultaneously. This was particularly important for the PanAm pilots when flights started flying across timezones – across the Atlantic from the USA. This would enable the pilot to know the local time back at home, but at the same time, the local time – simultaneously.

Because of the great success of the GMT-Master, Rolex would come to add it to its standard collection of timepieces for the public.

Because of this, GMT watches are often associated with Rolex, or in general, more expensive timepieces. The good news is that GMT watches do not have to cost tens of thousands of dollars. In fact, there are plenty of affordable GMT watches on the market today to choose from. Worth having in mind, however, is that because GMT watches are more complex than regular timepieces, they do in general command a slightly higher price than the time-only timepieces.

The concept of ”affordable” is also very subjective. Whilst a gold Rolex GMT-Master watch can cost tens of thousands of dollars, other brands make them available starting from just a few hundred dollars. In that sense, we can call them affordable. This is great news since it means that GMT watches are not solely reserved for a selected few.

Best affordable GMT watches

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If you are looking for a watch that can keep track of multiple timezones simultaneously, a GMT is a must. In fact, we would even dare to say that every watch collector should have at least one GMT watch in their collection. Whether you are jet-setting or just traveling occasionally, the GMT feature can be truly useful for knowing the time at home, as well as the local time in the country you are in – all at the same time.

Without further ado, let’s look closer at the best affordable GMT watches.

  Victorinox FieldForce GMT

The Victorinox FieldForce GMT is available at just a few hundred dollars. Like most Victorinox timepieces, it has a sporty, military-inspired design with an emphasis on legibility. It is presented with a matte black dial with large Arabic numerals coated with a generous amount of Lumibrite for excellent legibility even in low-lit conditions.

It has a date window positioned at 3 o’clock, and unlike most GMT watches on the market, it doesn’t have a GMT 24-hour bezel. Instead, the bezel is reserved for 60-second markers. As such, the 24-hour indicator is presented on the inner part of the dial, and the watch is executed in a way that the GMT hand has an open oval, and inside this oval, you see the GMT time displayed, which is a really nice and unique design feature.

The watch is mostly monochrome and black for a sporty look, but for a touch of color, the seconds hand is painted red. All in all, the Victorinox FieldForce is a great everyday watch that is durable, robust, and versatile.

Specifications

• Diameter : 42mm
• Thickness : 11.3mm
• Lug width : 21mm
• Water resistance : 10ATM/100M/330 feet

Alpina Automatic Sport Watch AL-555DGS4H6

Alpina is a Swiss watch brand that is known for making high-quality, well-finished timepieces. As such, their watches are in the medium price range and are usually priced above 1000 USD. But with that said, they still offer exceptional value for money.

The AL-555DGS4H6 is inspired by an Alpina design from the 1970s, which explains its vintage-inspired and funky design. It is presented with a stainless steel case with a diameter of 42mm, designed with a barrel case design. On top of the case is a boded sapphire crystal. This watch does not have a bidirectional bezel, instead, the 24-hour GMT markers have been positioned around the outer edge of the dial. The good news is that the internal ring is rotatable, allowing you to keep track of more than two time zones simultaneously. The omitting of the bezel allows for a more classic design and gives room for the beautiful case with a striking finish and combination of brushed and polished.

The watch is powered by the AL-555 Automatic caliber and features an in-house modified GMT movement. Thanks to this movement, the wearer can keep track of 3 time zones simultaneously.

The dial has a beautiful black/grey sunburst finish at the center, and the GMT disc around the outer edge is made white for contrast. At 3 o’clock, you also have a date window which is always convenient to have.

All in all, this is just a great watch built with high-quality, great performance, and really nice attention to detail in every single aspect – from the polishing and brushing of the case to the applied metal hour markers on the dial.

• Crystal : Anti-reflective sapphire crystal
• Caliber : AL-555, Automatic movement
• Jewels : 26
• Power reserve : 38 hours
• Water resistance : 10 ATM/100M/330FT

Tissot TIST0694394403100 Titanium GMT

Tissot is a well-respected Swiss watch brand that is known for making high-quality yet affordable timepieces that offer great value for money.

It has a simple and classic design which is great if you are looking for something more discreet that can work for everyday wear. The watch has a titanium case with a diameter of 43mm and a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. What is so interesting about this watch is that it does the GMT function a lot differently. Instead of incorporating an additional hour hand at the center, it is equipped with a 24-hour sub-dial which presents the GMT hour time. The ”downside” of this is of course that it only allows you to keep track of one additional time zone.

Because of the titanium case, the watch is very light and comfortable to wear. It features a simple and elegant white dial with skeletonized hands and a date window positioned at 3 o’clock. On top of the case sits an anti-reflective sapphire crystal.

• Water resistance : 100m/330 feet
• Diameter : 43mm
• Crystal : anti-reflective sapphire crystal

Hamilton Jazzmaster GMT H32695131

Hamilton is known for its military-inspired timepieces, which is the result of Hamilton’s rich heritage and history of making such timepieces, in particular during the second world war.

The Hamilton Jazzmaster GMT H32695131 is a sporty timepiece featuring a 42mm stainless steel case, powered by a Swiss self-winding movement with 21 jewels. The power reserve is 50 hours. On top of the case sits a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal.

The GMT function that this watch offers is really great as it allows you to keep track of far more than just 2 or 3 timezones. This watch is equipped with an additional GMT-hour hand which is painted red, making it easy to spot. Around the outer edge of the dial, it has 24-hour markers, but in addition, at the very edge, it has lots of cities printed. This is great because whichever city the GMT hand points at is the current time in that specific city. With that said, this is the ultimate watch for the jet-setter.

The watch has a sleek and elegant black dial with a date window positioned at 6 o’clock. The case is nicely executed with brushed and polished elements and is presented on a sporty yet elegant stainless steel bracelet.

• Power reserve : 50 hours
• Jewels : 21
• Movement : Automatic self.winding caliber
• Crystal : anti-reflective scratch-resistant sapphire

Luminox SXC Swiss Quartz Watch

The Luminox SXC GMT is a sporty, bulky, and robust watch with a diameter of 45mm. It is equipped with a large additional GMT hour hand and the 24-hour markers printed on the dial.

The watch is powered by an analog quartz movement and has a bidirectional rotating bezel with 24-hour markers engraved on it. With that said, you can keep track of multiple time zones either by reading the dial or by reading the bezel. On top of the case sits a hardened mineral crystal. The watch is water-resistant to 300m/660 feet which is obviously very tough and in line with this watch’s purpose.

If you’re looking for a tough timepiece that is built to last and handle virtually any hardships you subject it to, this is a great alternative.

• Diameter : 45mm
• Water resistance : 300m/660 feet
• Movement : Analog quartz
• Crystal : hardened mineral crystal

Citizen BJ7006-56L Eco-Drive

The Citizen Blue Angels BJ7006-56L is a serious pilot’s watch with a sporty design and great performance.

As you can see on the dial, it has a lot going on with plenty of useful functions and features. It has a date window positioned at 3 o’clock and of course a GMT function. It is powered by Citizens Eco-Drive caliber B877 movement featuring 12/14-hour time and has a pilot’s rotating slide ring. Eco-Drive means that the watch is powered by solar and ambient light which eliminates the need for replacing the battery.

On top of the case sits an anti-reflective mineral crystal.

With its sporty design and plenty of functions, this is a great everyday watch for those looking for something sporty and versatile.

• Movement : Citizen Eco-DriveDquartz caliber B877
• Crystal : anti-reflective mineral crystal

Longines Heritage GMT L2.831.4.53.0

The Longines Heritage GMT L2.831.4.53.0 is, as the name suggests, a vintage-inspired timepiece with a classic design. It has a diameter of 44mm, a classic stainless steel case design, and a vintage-inspired black dial with painted numerals. The 24-hour GMT markers are printed on the dial in red and the GMT-hour hand is short and also pained red.

Positioned at 3 o’clock, you also have a date window. The watch has a water resistance of 30m/100 feet and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal on top.

This is a watch with a simple and elegant design that doesn’t stand out, making it extremely versatile and suitable for both formal and casual occasions.

• Water resistance : 30m/100 feet
• Diameter : 44mm
• Crystal : scratch-resistant sapphire crystal
• Movement : self-winding automatic

Frederique Constant Yacht Timer GMT Automatic FC-350VT4H4

The Frederique Constant Yacht Timer GMT FC-350VT4H4 is a very elegant and classy timepiece that has a gold-tone 42mm case. This is designed as a dress watch and looks extremely classy.

It is powered by the C-350 automatic GMT caliber with a power reserve of 38 hours, 26 jewels, and a frequency of 28800 BPH. On top of the case sits a convex sapphire crystal. Another nice feature of this watch is that it has a convex sapphire crystal which allows you to see the beautiful automatic movement inside.

The watch is water-resistant to 10ATM/100M/330 feet, but it is certainly the dial that is the highlight of this watch.

The watch features a beautiful silver color dial with guilloché decoration and applied rose gold-plated luminous indexes. For convenience, it has a date display at 3 o’clock. The watch has hand-polished rose gold-plated hour & minute hands with luminous treatment. The GMT hour hand has a red arrow tip, which points to the 24-hour markers which are printed on the dial.

This is the ultimate GMT watch for formal occasions with beautiful attention to detail and a lovely dial that you’ll never get bored of.

• Movement : in-house automatic caliber C-350
• Crystal : convex sapphire crystal
• Water resistance : 10 ATM/100M/330 feet

Seiko Kinetic GMT SUN031 P1

The Seiko Kinetic GMT SUN031 is a versatile timepiece that combines sportiness with elegance. It is a semi-automatic watch in the sense that it is quartz-driven, but features a kinetic rotor that converts mechanical energy into electricity for the battery, thus eliminating the need for replacing the battery.

It features a 44mm stainless steel case with a water resistance of 100m/330 feet. The watch has a beautiful purple-ish dial with a lovely striped finish. The GMT hand has a red tip and the 24-hour markers are printed on the dial. It has applied metal hour markers which improve the impression of quality, and last but not least, it has a date window positioned at 3 o’clock. On top of the case sits a Hardlex crystal.

All in all, this is a great versatile timepiece that works perfectly for everyday wear and on both formal and casual occasions.

• Crystal : Hardlex

Luminox Bear Grylls Air Series GMT XB.3761

The Luminox Bear Grylls Air Series GMT XB.3761 is an affordable GMT watch that is, as the name suggests, built to last and handle the toughest situations.

The watch has a 45mm stainless steel case and a multi-functional design. The thickness is 13mm. The watch has a Carbonox bi-directional rotating bezel with cities printed on the bezel which allows you to keep track of the time in a number of major cities around the world for an even more advanced GMT function.

Since this watch is all about functionality, it is designed to provide a constant glow for up to 25 years in any light condition. It is powered by an individually tested Ronda 515 movement with a battery life of 50 months. Between 4 and 5 o’clock, it also has a date window presented on the dial.

On top of the case sits a sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating.

All in all, this is an affordable GMT timepiece that is built to handle the harshest conditions, making it perfect for outdoor activities.

• Water resistance : 20ATM/200M/660 feet
• Movement : Ronda quartz 515 HF caliber
• Crystal : sapphire with anti-reflective coating
• Thickness : 13mm

Longines Heritage Military GMT Automatic

Last but not least, we have the Longines Heritage GMT. With a price of around 2000 USD, it can be debated whether or not it is affordable, but in comparison to many other GMT watches out there, it still deserves a spot on this list.

As the name suggests, this is a vintage-inspired military-inspired timepiece, and this is very evidently seen in its design. The watch has a classic case design which reminds a lot about a pocket watch. This is further contributed by its pocket-watch-inspired crown. The case measures 42mm in diameter.-

Because of its pocket watch case design, it leaves lots of room for a large dial which provides great legibility. The dial is matte black and has large Arabic numerals printed on it. It has a date window positioned at 3 o’clock.

The 24-hour markers are printed at the very outer part of the dial and the GMT hand is long with a small arrow tip, painted in red.

It is powered by the self-winding Longines caliber L704.2 with a power reserve of 48 hours, 24 jewels, and a frequency of 28800 BPH. On top of the case, it has a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and the watch has a water resistance of 30m/100 feet.

All in all, this is a classic and stylish timepiece with great quality and attention to detail. Despite its relatively high price tag compared to some others, we would even dare to say that it offers great value for money.

• Jewels : 24
• Power reserve : 48 hours
• Frequency : 28800 BPH
• Movement : Longines Automatic caliber L704.2  

Affordable GMT watches buyer’s guide

Just like when buying any type of watch, there are a number of things you want to take into consideration to make sure you find the watch that is perfect for your needs, style, and preferences.

Movement – quartz or mechanical?

The first thing you want to consider is whether you want a quartz or mechanical watch. GMT watches exist with either, so ultimately, it comes down to your preference. In general, most quartz watches are affordable, and most luxury GMT watches are automatic, so this is also something that comes into play. At the same time, there are some affordable alternatives for automatic GMT watches such as the  Longines we looked at above, so you’re not limited to quartz when you are looking for an affordable GMT.

Purpose and style

The purpose and style of the watch will depend on your own personal needs and taste. It will also depend on how and when you intend to use it. GMT watches are available in all kinds of different styles, although the GMT function is closely associated with “tool watches”. Therefore consider if you are looking for an elegant timepiece to wear in the office and during formal occasions, or if you plan to wear it during your everyday life and want something more sporty and casual that you can wear at any time. The purpose of the watch will naturally dictate the style of the watch, and there really is a lot to choose from, so defining these things will narrow down the alternatives and make it easier to choose one that suits your taste the best.

Water resistance

Depending on the purpose of your watch, the water resistance may or may not be important. If you will wear your watch on formal occasions with a suit, you’ll likely not come anywhere near the water. But if you are going to wear it as a sports watch and even plan to go swimming with it, having decent water resistance can be quite important to make sure you don’t have to take off your watch or avoid swimming just because you don’t have a suitable watch.

How much does a GMT watch cost?

The fact of the matter is that GMT watches vary a lot in price – just like most watches. The good news is that the GMT function is not only reserved for luxury and super-expensive timepieces but can be found in the more affordable price range. We can, however, say that since the GMT function is a bit complicated, GMT watches tend to cost more than watches that do not have this function. But as you have seen above, there are some really great affordable alternatives for GMT watches.

On the contrary, there are also plenty of luxury GMT watches on the market that cost tens of thousands of dollars, so there is a great gap here, and a wide selection for all kinds of budgets.

Is a GMT watch useful?

A GMT watch can definitely be extremely useful. Unlike many other functions in watches, the GMT function is certainly one that can be truly useful and one that a lot of people actually use in their everyday life.

Naturally, it is particularly suitable for frequent travelers who travel across different time zones. And keeping track of what the time is, for example, local time, but also the home time is something that can be very practical for many reasons.

What is a true GMT watch?

Due to the increased complication and technicality of making one, it’s more uncommon to see this function in the most affordable GMT options, but there is a selection of true GMT watches on the market that you can choose from if this is an important feature for you.

Rolex released the first true GMT watch in 1983 with the GMT-Master II (previously named GMT-Master) to highlight the new true GMT function. This watch would allow you to independently adjust the hour hand without stopping the seconds hand or disturbing the other hands. And at the time, it was a huge improvement to the GMT function and a great achievement for Rolex.

With that said, the first GMT watches were not what we call “true GMT” watches today which is quite interesting as you would think that the original is what is always considered the “true” version, but that’s a topic for a completely different article.

In addition to the true GMT function, you also have watches where the GMT hand is independently adjusted, instead of having an independently adjustable hour hand. This is very convenient when you want to track a second timezone whilst you are at home, but it is less convenient when you are traveling.

But at the end of the day, the difference in the time it takes to set a GMT watch compared to a true GMT watch is not huge, so it’s not really a problem.

Are GMT watches dress watches?

Interestingly, this is a question we receive quite frequently, but the answer to that question is that the style of a watch (for the most part) is not dictated by one single function. For example, just because a watch has a sub-second on the dial doesn’t mean it is a dress watch. In the same way, just because a watch has a GMT function doesn’t mean it is a sports watch.

Ultimately, the answer to that question is that it depends. As you have seen, GMT watches come in all kinds of different styles and designs, so a GMT watch can definitely be a dress watch. GMT watches are not dress watches by definition, but they certainly can be. At the same time, the GMT function is closely associated with tool watches and functionality, which is why a lot of GMT watches lean more towards the sporty side in terms of design.

2 thoughts on “ Top 11 Best Affordable GMT watches [List & Guide] ”

Nice article, but one quibble: the Rolex GMT-Master may be the most famous GMT timepiece, but I don’t believe it was the first. I believe that the Glycine Airman, released in 1953, beat the Rolex to market as the GMT-Master wasn’t released until the following year.

Hi, Yes, you’re absolutely right. There has been a lot of debate and discussion about this and whilst Rolex wasn’t first, it became the first truly successful GMT watch in terms of popularity and widespread use, hence why it is sometimes regarded as the first, even though that technically isn’t the case.

Kind regards, Millenary Watches

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Customer Service We strive to offer you an amazing customer service to make your buyer experience as great as it can be. From your initial contact to after you have your new watch on the wrist. Our number one goal is to make you so satisfied with your purchase that we get the honour of helping you with your next watch purchase. We will guide you through your whole experience with us. Authenticity

Our goal is to make you feel safe throughout the purchase process. Therefore, we carefully check all our timepieces to ensure their authenticity and that everything is in its order. When buying a timepiece from us, you can be confident that it is authentic. We also value your privacy and safety, and this is why we take great measures to keep your information safe at all times.

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We strive to have fair prices on all our watches. We want you to feel confident in the thought that you always get great value for your money when buying from us. Through our contacts and network of sourcing luxury watches, we can provide some of the world’s best luxury timepieces at fair and competitive prices. From us, you can buy watches from the comfort of your own home.

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Surf’s Up – The Best Watches for Summer 2024

Published on July 8, 2024 by Nina Scally · Accessories

Whatever your plans for summer 2024, choose from these best watches and look cool all season long.

Table of Contents

How do you plan to spend your summer? Will you be passing the hours poolside, sipping a sangria? Or do you plan to travel? If you’re less fortunate, you’ll spend your summer working as usual.  

Either way, it doesn’t matter how your summer will play out if you have a great watch on your wrist. And believe me when I say this guide to the best summer watches of 2024 has it all.  

Want a watch for evening walks along the beach? Or a timepiece that looks fantastic with your cycling gear? From practical GMT watches to sporty chronographs and robust sports watches, I cover everything in this guide.  

Why You Need a Watch for the Summer 

Look, I won’t lecture you on why you need a new watch for summer. Why, you ask? Because honestly, you don’t.  

Most people don’t need a watch at all. We have phones, tablets, gadgets, and our good friend Alexa to help us keep track of time. But if you have a penchant for collecting luxury timepieces, you’ll justify the need for a new one anyway.   

When we enthusiasts feel it’s time for a new watch, we’ll stop at nothing to get it. No one will stand in our way.  

I say that, but sometimes watch collecting isn’t always that simple. A good friend regularly shares with me the implications of marriage and being a watch collector. Acquiring luxury watches is not the cheapest of hobbies, after all.  

You might relate to the following conversation: Partner; “Don’t tell me that’s another new watch on your wrist?”. You: “Hm? What? Oh…this old thing? I’ve had it for years, darling”. (You dash upstairs, gather the paperwork and box, and quickly stash them in the back of the wardrobe). 

Mission complete — a new watch for summer! It just required a little navigating.

If you find yourself in a similar situation, my advice is simple. Allow your partner to have a little guilty pleasure of their own. 

A holiday with the girls or a spa day, maybe? Even a new pair of shoes every once in a while. That way, they get their fix, and you do, too. 

Failing that, you could do what my friend does. Stash that box away and remind your spouse to pay more attention to said watches you’ve “worn for years.”  

What To Look for in a Summer Watch 

We already established that nothing will stop you if you “need” a new summer watch. All you need to do is whittle down your options. 

Perhaps you’ve picked out the perfect polo shirt for the summer, and it needs a timepiece to complete the look.  

When shopping for a summer watch, go for something robust and comfortable. Think about what you’ll be wearing your watch for. Are you wearing it as a statement piece alongside dressy attire? Maybe you’re looking for a rugged sports watch for grueling workouts.  

Case material is essential when selecting a watch for the warmer months. Watches made from precious metals are perfect for formal evenings and social events. 

On the other hand, lightweight titanium and scratch-resistant ceramic are more suitable for outdoor pursuits.  

During the lighter months, shed the dull layers and wear a summer watch that will turn some heads. Don’t be afraid to experiment with color. 

If there’s a time of year when you can get away with being more adventurous, it’s summer.  

Summer Watch Trends  

You may want to build up a collection with one of every complication . Or maybe you need a watch for every season? No one’s judging here!  

Watches aren’t essential to your daily life, but they make it more enjoyable and exciting. (If you’ve been bitten by the bug, you’ll know exactly what I mean when I say that!) 

This year, the prestigious Watches & Wonders event, held annually in Geneva, gave us lots of exciting releases. Delights from IWC, Rolex, Cartier, TAG Heuer, and TUDOR adequately capture the trends pending for Summer 2024.

Pastel-coloured dials and smaller case dimensions were on the cards, as were gender-neutral designs and retro digital watches. 

To help you stay on trend this summer, check out these top picks, ranging from affordable to high-end. Let’s get stuck in!  

Best Watches for Summer 2024 

So, here’s what you’ve been waiting for — the ultimate guide to the best watches for summer 2024. I’ve chosen watches that are great for specific leisure activities. 

I’m also covering every price bracket, with a rough ballpark figure for each model.

The Best Watch for Cycling: Garmin Forerunner 945 $550

A wearable device like the Garmin Forerunner 945 is perfect for cycling. It’s compact, comfortable, and has a large, visible screen for checking stats while you’re on the go. 

The model is a more advanced version of the earlier Forerunner 935 and offers extra features for athletes. These include an optical heart rate sensor and WiFi connection that lets you sync and share data with fellow cyclists.

Ideal for long bike rides during summer evenings, its bright 30.4mm AMOLED screen is easy to read in the dark. Plus, its impressive 36-hour battery life in GPS mode will keep you going for long durations. 

The Forerunner 945 offers even more. In addition to feeding your favorite music to your earphones as you bike, you can use the watch directly for cycling. 

This smartwatch is compatible with a whole load of cycling-specific apps for tracking routes, rides, and navigation. 

The Best Watch for Travel: The TUDOR Black Bay 58 GMT ref. M7939G1A0NRU-0001 $5k

The TUDOR Black Bay 58 is currently a strong contender in the GMT category. It carries all the faithful design codes of the neo-vintage model released in 2012. 

It’s the answer to a smaller, more compact version of the Black Bay GMT, which fans have long been begging for. Its 39mm stainless steel case sits at a height of 12.8mm, constituting an excellent GMT watch for small wrists.

Take note of the tasteful gilt markers on the “coke”-inspired bezel. They work beautifully with the two-tone bezel and black dial, elevating the design to dressier heights. 

If you plan to travel a lot this summer, you will need a watch like this. Fitted with a Master Chronometer-certified movement and a complication for tracking a second time zone, this is the ultimate GMT.

The Best High-End Dress Watch: The Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Petite Seconde ref. PFC940-2010001-300181-EN $55k

The Tonda PF is Parmigiani’s excellent interpretation of a bona fide sports watch. I’d even go as far as to say that it’s easy to forget what else the brand manufactures. So, on that note, let me remind you of the luxurious Toric.

The supreme Toric line is wholly indulgent and simply stunning. It offers all you need in a dress watch for summer 2024. 

This model combines the warm blush pink tones of an 18k rose gold case with a subtly knurled bezel edge. What’s more, its “sand gold” dial bears a beautiful hand grain application. 

Look through the caseback, and you can even admire Parmigiani Fleurier’s Cotes de Fleurier decoration across elegant 18k gold bridges. This is a superb dress watch for pairing with dress shirt .

Best Watch for the Beach: The Elliot Brown Bloxworth 3HD ref. 929-102-R55G $650

The Elliot Brown Bloxworth 3HD is really affordable and robust. 

The company designs its watches in the UK but manufactures them in China, keeping costs down for both the manufacturer and the consumer. You can’t grumble about the quality, either.

Elliot Brown also makes a totally snazzy orange-colored dive watch in this range, but I’m considering versatility here. This black model will pair with anything and looks great on the beach. For under $700, you can enjoy a 200-meter water-resistant rating and a quick-drying rubber strap. 

The Bloxworth also features a legible, layered sandwich dial, excellent case finishing, and sand-colored lume fillings. Elliot Brown describes the quick-change strap bars as “unbreakable,” and they certainly add some fun to strap-changing. 

Best Watch for Ocean Dips: The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M Small Seconds ref. 220.12.41.21.03.005 $8k

Omega is the ticket if you like the Elliot Brown Bloxworth but want an esteemed name on the dial. 

The manufacturer is the proud owner of an extensive range of dive watches named the Seamaster collection. Within that series is the Aqua Terra 150M .

You guessed it. It comes with a 150-meter water-resistant rating. It also features a unidirectional rotating bezel, an in-house movement, and a small-second function.

I love the blue-grey color of this dial. It looks at home in the water with its distinctive arrow-shaped minute hand protected by a sapphire crystal front. 

Dipping in and out of the water with this watch is a breeze, courtesy of a quick-drying blue rubber band. Its white contrast stitching running up the edges tastefully compliments the “teak” pattern dial and white seconds scale. 

The Best Watch for Surfing: The Breitling Superocean Automatic 42 ref. A17375211B2S4 $5,500

Prepare for one of the most colorful Breitling watches ever. This Superocean watch has a rainbow hour track and a vivid yellow band that will get you noticed on the beach. 

The watch is part of Breitling’s latest slew of dive watches and takes inspiration from the vintage “Slow Motion” watch. 

A little history on that: the Slow Motion was Breitling’s remedy for a legible underwater timing device. By the time the watch arrived in 1967, Breitling already had a suitable dive watch. 

But the brand didn’t stop there.

Breitling converted the central chronograph hand into a minute hand. It would make one revolution around the dial per hour, clearly showing the elapsed time when underwater. 

A small indicator at 6H would show in yellow to enable the wearer to double-check that they’d engaged the feature. 

The Superocean Slow Motion watch arrived during the golden years of the surfing era. Bold colors were the order of the day. 

Although modern, the Superocean is no exception. Its rainbow colors, 200-meter water resistance, and black ceramic diver’s bezel are perfect for riding the waves. 

The Best Watch for Climbing; The Casio Master of G Mudmaster ref. GG-1000-1A3 $300

It doesn’t matter where you venture with this Casio Master of G Land Mudmaster watch . Its rugged construction is practically bulletproof. Ok, so maybe it’s not that tough, but it will undoubtedly hold its own in the most challenging terrains. 

Also, take a look at its price. For $300, you get these features: a digital compass, thermometer, 1/100 second stopwatch, and 200-meter water resistance.

You also get a world time function, LED backlight, auto calendar, low battery monitor, and capacity for 5 daily alarms. Its resin and steel case design is also perfect for rock climbing and outdoor pursuits. You can’t go wrong with G-Shock watches.  

The clue is in its name. You can swim with it and complete military drills with it. You can even bathe in mud with it. This G-Shock watch is the ultimate tool watch this summer. 

If you’re planning a season of outdoor adventures, you’d be crazy not to add this watch to your list. 

The Takeaway

From affordable mud-proof watches to elegant timepieces that can accompany dressy attire, this list has you covered for Summer 2024.

This isn’t an exhaustive list, however. So, if you think I’ve missed a vital summer watch, let me know why you think it should be in this guide. 

Questions? Comments? Leave them below!

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About Nina Scally

Nina Scally is an English freelance writer specializing in the luxury watch industry. Her favorite brands are German watchmakers Nomos and Meistersinger and British brand Bremont. Background: Nina’s love of luxury timepieces began in 2011 when she acquired her first role as a watch sales manager in the quaint British town of Ashbourne in the Peak District. Her passion for dive watches and sports watches blossomed as her knowledge in the industry grew, enabling her to talk for hours on the topic with affluent collectors who traveled from far and wide to acquire rare, covetable timepieces. When Nina left the business to start a family, her unwavering curiosity for horology drew her back into the industry. Her second encounter with timepieces flourished through her love of writing – a deep-rooted childhood passion. Expertise: Over the years, Nina has enjoyed a career working with some of the industry’s most reputable online watch magazines and retailers, including Fratello Watches and, of course, The Slender Wrist. Other examples include her written work for the world’s second-largest online Rolex journal, Bob’s Watches, and the world’s third-largest online luxury watch magazine, Monochrome. Aside from juggling the demanding roles of motherhood, Nina spends her time getting creative in the home and has a passion for papercraft and swimming. Above all, the most rewarding aspect of writing in this niche space of the luxury watch market is the chance to deliver a female voice to what was once often considered a very male-driven industry.

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The Ultimate Guide to Watches and Travel

From GMT and world time watches to tips and tricks for safety and enjoyment, here’s all you need to know about traveling with watches.

By Zen Love

There are plenty of good reasons to consider the watch you take traveling: the right timepiece offers a sense of preparedness in a relatively unfamiliar environment; it can become part of lasting memories; and, of course, you want to catch planes, make meetings on time and beat jet lag.

Since travel forces you to select only the few items you’ll be spending time with, you want to choose carefully. The right travel watch might be a dedicated tool with features specifically meant for tracking different time zones, one that’s rugged and ready for adventure, or just one that you love and want as a travel companion. In the coverage below, we’ve got all you need to know about the watches that are best for day trips or globetrotting, as well as the tips, tricks, gear and solutions that’ll enhance your excursions.

Travel is largely curtailed for many people around the world at the moment, of course, but we’re optimistically looking forward to the chance to get away again. The following articles and the cool watches featured will get you ready and inspired to get back out there as soon as it’s safe and responsible to do so.

These Are Our Favorite Adventure Watches of 2020

From rugged dive watches to world timers, these are some of the timepieces we want to take adventuring in 2021.

How to Pack and Travel with Your Watches

Let the watches you travel with enhance your memory-making and selfie-taking adventures.

The Best Cases, Rolls and Pouches for Traveling With Your Watches

Keep your beloved timepieces safe and orderly.

One Simple Feature Makes These 3 Watches Perfect for Traveling

A 12-hour rotating bezel is a handy way to track another time zone without the added cost of a GMT complication.

The 11 Best Mechanical Watches to Wear When Traveling

Whether you’re driving coast to coast or flying from JFK to Narita, here are the watches that will keep you on time.

These Are Seven of the Most Affordable GMT Watches

GMT watches needn’t be bank-breaking. From big Swiss companies and upstart microbrands, here are 7 affordable GMTs.

Travel in Style with These Seven Incredible World Time Watches

World time watches allow you to see the current time in any place in the world with just a quick glance at your wrist.

What Makes Rolex’s GMT-Master The Best Travel Watch Ever?

This two-timer from the jet age is technically and aesthetically the mother of all GMT watches.

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