Is the orient adventurer the best gmt travel watch
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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.
The Best Orient Watches – A Definitive Guide
If you’re interested in purchasing an Orient watch, this guide aims to provide you with an overview of the best Orient Watches on the market today.
Orient got their start in Tokyo, Japan back in 1950, and for a time were considered to be one of Japan’s ‘Big Three’ watchmakers, alongside Seiko and Citizen. As quartz watches increased in popularity during the 70s, Orient faded somewhat into obscurity as their competition jumped on the battery operated band wagon, whilst Orient continued to concentrate on building quality mechanical watches.
Table of Contents
Jump forward to the watch market of today; consumers are once again excited about mechanical watches, both automatic and hand wound, hence the resurgence of the Orient Watch Company.
Best Orient Dress Watches
Orient Bambino
The Orient Bambino is the quintessential dress watch, and as such has to be featured on the list of the best Orient watches. Completely timeless, the Bambino can be had in gold or silver tones, and measures in at 40 – 41 mm. This watch is available in an almost endless array of dial color and strap color combinations, with varying shades of leather, as well as croc stamped. It benefits from a domed crystal.
Depending on which version you choose, the dial design of the Bambino varies; ‘Version 1’ features raised triangular hour markers and hands, ‘Version 2’ features train tracks around the outer perimeter and Roman numeral hour markers, ‘Version 3’ is in the Bauhaus style, with very simple, narrow lines marking the hours and minutes, and rectangular hands, making it an excellent Nomos alternative. Finally, ‘Version 4’ features raised hour markers and pointed hands.
Each version has a date window at 3 o’clock, and is water resistant to 30 meters.
The Bambino is now in its second generation, the biggest difference is the movement; both are automatic, but generation 1 was non-hacking and could not be hand wound, unlike generation two, with its upgraded movement, which can be.
Orient Bambino Small Seconds
The Orient Bambino Small Seconds similar in style to the original Bambino, but with a couple of key differences. The Small Seconds version features a seconds sub dial, sitting just about the 6 o’clock position. Additionally, the 12, 3, 6, and 9 o’clock hours are marked by Arabic numerals, whilst the intermediary hours are noted by straight markers.
The case is 40.5 mm and is available in gold or silver tone stainless steel, it sits on a leather band, available in brown and black, plain or with croc stamped. The Bambino Small Seconds is driven by an automatic movement. The case is stamped as water resistant, but no rating is given, so it would be best kept dry if possible. There is a date window at the 3 o’clock position, and the dial is available in a wide range of hues; white, silver, black, blue, and more. The second hand being featured in a sub dial certainly adds to the unique factor, and justifies this watch featuring on the list of the best Orient watches.
Orient Polaris GMT
The Orient Polaris GMT is a sophisticated timepiece. Made from stainless steel with a crocodile stamped leather strap, it wears well for day to day use, right through to black tie. The stand out feature of this watch is the second hour hand, allowing the wearer to track two time zones. The automatic movement features an impressive 40 hour power reserve, as shown by the power indicator just beneath 12 o’clock.
The dial is available in three color combinations; all white (with blue hands), black (with silver tone hands), or black/white (with black hands), it features guilloche and concentric grained textures, making the watch incredibly visually appealing. This beautiful watch is water resistant to 50 meters, it features a date window at 3 o’clock, and the case measures in at a substantial 42 mm.
Orient Open Heart
The Orient Open Heart series is perfect for those who find themselves intrigued by the internal workings of an automatic watch. Thanks to the ‘open heart’ cutaway in the dial, the movement itself can be seen every time you glance at the watch.
The dial is available with raised silver tone hour markers, Roman numerals, or Arabic numerals. The case is made from stainless steel, measures in at 41 mm and is available in silver or gold tones. This beautiful dress watch sits on a crocodile stamped leather band, and is water resistant to 50 meters. The Open heart truly deserves its place on the list of the best Orient watches.
Orient President
The Orient President is a timeless dress watch, and is ideally suited to those who prefer a steel bracelet over a leather band, as it sits upon a jubilee style bracelet. This watch features a day window between 11 and 1 o’clock, as well as a date window at 3 o’clock, magnified by a ‘Cyclops’ window. The Orient President is considered one of the best Rolex Day Date homages.
The hours are marked by beautiful white sapphires, and the non rotating bezel is fluted. The stainless steel case measures 36 mm across, and is available in silver, gold or silver/gold tones. It is powered by a quality Japanese automatic movement, and is water resistant to 100 meters. The fact that this style has remained a classic for several decades has firmly put the President on the list of the best Orient watches.
Orient Symphony
To the untrained eye, the Orient Symphony appears to be close to identical to the Bambino; however on closer inspection you’ll notice that the Symphony has much more contemporary lines, largely down to the fact that it does not have a domed crystal.
The case is presented in stainless steel, measures 41 mm, and is available in silver and gold tones. The hour indices are marked by raised lines, and the hands are pointed. The Symphony features a 3 o’clock date window, and sits on a crocodile stamped leather band.
Best Orient Dive Watches
Orient Mako II
The Orient Mako II is widely known as one of the best value dive watches on the market today. Thanks to its 200 meter water resistance rating and its unidirectional ratcheted bezel, it is a true tool watch. As well as being functional as a diver, its handsome appearance also makes a perfect daily wear watch! The Mako II is presented in stainless steel, its case measures in at 41.5 mm, and it sits on an Oyster style bracelet.
The Mako II is powered by a quality Japanese automatic movement, and features a screw down crown. It is available with a blue dial/bezel, black dial/bezel, or blue dial/’Pepsi’ bezel. The dial on each example features an abbreviated day and date window at the 3 o’clock position.
Orient Mako XL
If you’re a fan of big watches, then the Orient Mako XL might just be the timepiece for you. Measuring in at an impressive 44.5 mm, the Mako XL was designed and produced as a response to high demand for a bigger Mako. Featuring a screw down crown, and second pusher at the 2 o’clock position for adjusting the day/date wheel.
The Mako XL is water resistant to 200 meters, is powered by an automatic movement, and features spear style hands, and large trapezoid hour indices. It boasts a unidirectional bezel with bar/hour indicators. It is available in black/black, blue/blue, cream/black, black/green, black/orange, and orange/black dial/bezel color combinations.
Orient Ray II
The Orient Ray II is another of the best Orient watches available today. As much a tool watch as it is a fashion statement, this automatic timepiece is water resistant to 200 meters, and features a unidirectional bezel with dive time remaining markers. The dial features circular and trapezoidal indices, and baton style hands. The Orient Ray II is also one of the best Rolex Submariner alternatives, due to the similar design features.
The Ray II is presented in brushed stainless steel, the case measures in at 41.5 mm, and it sits on a bracelet clearly inspired by the famous ‘Oyster’ style. Its dial features a day/date window at 3 o’clock, and is available in blue or black, with matching bezels, or blue with a ‘Pepsi’ bezel.
Orient Nami
The Orient Nami has a style all of its own. It is available with rubber or leather straps, and has large, rectangular lumed hour indices. When worn on rubber, as with all of Orient’s dive watches, it is a perfectly functional diver, with a unidirectional bezel and a water resistance of 20 meters.
The Orient Nami is powered by a Japanese automatic movement, the case is very large, measuring in at a whopping 46 mm. The case is stainless steel, and is presented as bare steel or with a black coating. The dial is available as a blue sunburst, or with a very contemporary carbon fiber effect.
Best Orient Casual Watches
Orient Sun and Moon
The Orient Sun and Moon is a classic looking timepiece, it is very elegant, but retains the ability to be worn as a daily watch. The most striking features are the sun and moon AM/PM sub dial, and the circular day sub dial. Another unique property is the day window between 7 and 8 o’clock.
The Sun and Moon features Roman number hour indices, and guilloche and concentric texturing on the dial. It is presented in Stainless steel in either silver or gold tones. This watch sits on a crocodile stamped leather strap for a timeless look.
Orient Scout
The Orient Scout is an excellent casual watch that “bridges the gap between sport and classic”. The Scout features bold, contrasting hour markings and a variety of dial colors. The most striking feature is the open heart, which gives a glimpse into the caliber 46A40 mechanical movement.
The stainless steel case of the Orient Scout is 42mm and features curved lugs for more comfort. It is water resistant to 50m (165ft).
Orient Adventurer
The Orient Adventurer is an obvious choice for this list of the Best Orient watches. It lives up to its name as a watch for explorers with its world time function. The quality automatic movement has an impressive 40 hour power reserve, indicated on the uppermost sub dial. The unique looking date indicator is housed in a sub dial located just above 6 o’clock.
This beautiful watch is presented in stainless steel and is available in gold or silver tones. It sits upon a croc stamped leather strap. The Adventurer’s case measures 44 mm and it is water resistant to 50 meters.
Orient Defender
As a casual watch, there was no doubt that the Orient Defender would make the list of the best Orient watches. It features a 100 meter water resistance, making this watch more practical than many of the other leather strapped options. The Defender has a 24 hour sub dial, a day of the week sub dial, and a date window at the 6 o’clock position.
The Orient Defender is constructed from stainless steel. It is available with a calfskin leather strap or on an Oyster style bracelet. A unique feature of the Defender is the crown, which is situated at the 3:30 position.
The 20 Best GMT Travel Watches To Buy in 2022
After more than a year-and-a-half of global pandemic lockdown, the world is finally starting to open back up again. While COVID-19 is still with us, and likely always will be, the vaccines have drastically reduced the number of cases, and people are more ready to travel than perhaps ever before. But in order to travel, one needs certain accoutrements. 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 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.
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.
The Truth About True GMTs
Truth Or Unfair
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.
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.
Best GMT Watches For Travel
Citizen Promaster GMT
If you’re going on a more adventurous trip, then you may not want to have a very expensive watch on your wrist while doing so. In that case, you should take a look at this Citizen. A tough beast of a watch, this is a true diver in addition to being a GMT as it offers 200m water-resistance as well as a dive-time bezel. There’s also a 24-hour inner bezel in the classic Pepsi colorway which is tracked by a solar-powered Eco-Drive “true” GMT movement.
Case Size: 44mm
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Solar Quartz “True” GMT
Luminox Bear Grylls Survival AIR Series
Need something even tougher? Then turn to Luminox. The rugged Swiss-made brand is a favorite of militaries the world over, and this particular watch was made in collaboration with famed survivalist Bear Grylls. It features Luminox’s proprietary light and tough CARBONOX material for the bezel, Luminox illumination that glows for up to 25 years, and 200m water resistance. It also eschews metropolitan cities on its world-time bezel in favor of global Special Forces locations.
Case Size: 45mm
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Quartz “Office” GMT
Lorier Hyperion
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. But 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. The fast-selling Hyperion uses plexiglass for its lumed Pepsi bezel insert and domed crystal, offering serious retro vibes to go with its traffic-stopping looks.
Case Size: 39mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT
Glycine Airman DC4 GMT
The Glycine Airman barely beat out the Rolex GMT Master as the first-ever watch to track two timezones simultaneously. But due to its lack of a fourth hand, the Airman is not technically considered a GMT watch. Glycine still makes a faithful version of the original Airman, but they also offer this GMT version for anyone who isn’t interested in reading their local time on a 24-hour scale. This offers the same basic look as the OG Airman, along with all of the history and pedigree that comes with it.
Case Size: 42mm
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT
Certina DS Action GMT
It was just a couple of years ago when only Rolex and a small handful of other luxury brands offered mechanical “true” GMTs. But recently, the rest of the industry has begun to catch up, and you can now get an automatic “true” GMT for under a grand. This Certina boasts such a movement, along with 200m water resistance, a sapphire crystal, and a superb 80 hours of power reserve — an especially awesome feature if you plan on bringing along more than one watch on your journeys.
Case Size: 43mm
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Automatic “True” GMT
Baltic Aquascaphe GMT
One of the most acclaimed microbrand GMTs around the $1,000 mark is this effort from Paris-based Baltic. Introduced in 2020 — literally on the same day that their aesthetically similar friendly rival Lorier introduced the Hyperion — this watch is a GMT version of the brand’s uber-popular Aquascaphe dive watch. You’re getting the same attractive dial and bubbly sapphire crystal, but the dive bezel has been swapped for a bi-color sapphire one that rotates 24 clicks in both directions and is available in some seriously fun color combinations.
Case Size: 39mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT
Mido Ocean Star GMT
Like Certina, 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 in the Certina above and this Mido diver. So this watch is a true GMT with an 80-hour power reserve, but that’s not all. It’s also a luxury diver with 200m water resistance, a shiny ceramic bezel, and expert finishing throughout.
Case Size: 44mm
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Automatic “True” GMT
Longines Conquest V.H.P. 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. Mostly known for their mechanical watches, Longines has not abandoned quartz technology, and this quartz GMT is rather impressive. Accurate to within a bonkers five seconds per year, the V.H.P. GMT has a “smart crown” that can automatically switch between your home and travel times with the push of a button, as well as a “flash setting” feature that utilizes a tiny sensor in the “12” index to read the flash from your phone to automatically adjust your local time when you arrive in a new destination.
Case Size: 43mm
Water Resistance: 50m
Movement: Quartz “True” GMT
Farer Lander GMT
British microbrand Farer has been in existence for less than five years, but in that time they’ve already established a reputation for their bold and unique use of color. And nowhere is that more evident than on their flagship GMT watch. The Lander’s sea-green sunray dial sparks more online debate about its true color than “The Dress,” but whether you think the dial is green or blue, we can all agree that it’s gorgeous. A box sapphire crystal, lumed Arabic numeral indices, and colorful hands only add to this stunner’s considerable charm.
Case Size: 39.5mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT
Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto GMT
Hamilton is yet another member of the Swatch Group, which means — you guessed it — this watch’s movement is a “true” GMT with an 80-hour power reserve. But it’s not a standard GMT watch, nor is it a diver. This is a bonafide pilot’s watch, with the functionality to boot. Like the famous Breitling Navitimer chronograph watch, this Hammy features a slide rule bezel that can be used to make useful calculations related to speed and distance. But even if you’re not a pilot, the slide rule bezel also functions as a pretty handy travel tool, as it can be used to quickly convert currency.
Case Size: 44mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Automatic “True” GMT
Zodiac Sea Wolf GMT ‘Crystal’ Topper Edition
Zodiac was one of the first brands to jump on board the GMT train in the early 1960s, transforming their Sea Wolf diver into the Aerospace GMT. These days, the Swiss watchmaker is still making a GMT version of the Sea Wolf — though they’ve unfortunately dropped the Aerospace name — and various attractive color combinations exist. The most fetching in our eyes is this silver dial Pepsi collaboration with retailer Topper Jewelers. Affectionately known as the “Crystal Pepsi,” this limited edition is a recreation of an Aerospace reference from the ‘60s.
Case Size: 40mm
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT
Monta Skyquest
American-owned, Swiss-made Monta is one of the most highly-regarded microbrands in the business, and this 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 304m, 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.
Case Size: 40mm
Water Resistance: 304m
Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT
Oris Aquis Carysfort Reef Limited Edition
Oris’s Aquis is arguably the best diver available at its price point, so it stands to reason that a GMT version would be similarly impressive. And it is. This version, in particular, boasts a mesmerizing sunburst blue dial that’s perfectly complemented by orange accents — a combo that really pops if you opt for the available orange rubber strap. And since the watch features both an inner 24-hour ring and a rotating 24-hour ceramic bezel, it’s easy to track three timezones simultaneously — if you’re into that sort of thing.
Case Size: 43.5mm
Water Resistance: 300m
Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT
Grand Seiko SBGN003
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.
Case Size: 39mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Quartz “True” GMT
Ball Roadmaster Pilot GMT
Never one to sit on their laurels, Ball is constantly innovating. Not long ago, the formerly-American/now-Swiss brand released the world’s first automatic GMT watch with a day/date complication. Now, they’re at it again with a new automatic GMT chronometer that uses pushers on the side of the case to independently move the local hour hand forward and backward. There’s also a quickset date function, making this by far the most convenient mechanical GMT within a galaxy of this price point. Oh, and it’s also a titanium watch with a lumed ceramic bezel, 300m water resistance, and Ball’s trademark tritium gas tube illumination.
Case Size: 40mm
Water Resistance: 300m
Movement: Automatic “True” GMT
Bell & Ross BR V2-93 GMT
Bell & Ross is mostly known for helping to herald in the “big watch” era of the past two decades with their massive square-shaped pilot’s instrument watches. But the brand also offers vintage-style watches, and they’re incredibly stunning. This GMT may be the best of the bunch, as it combines bold pilot’s watch styling with an old-school anodized aluminum bicolor 24-hour bezel insert. The watch’s decorated ETA-based movement is visible through the sapphire caseback beneath a fun mid-century motif of a plane circling the globe.
Case Size: 41mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Automatic “Office” GMT
Tudor Black Bay 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 matte black 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.
Case Size: 41mm
Water Resistance: 200m
Movement: Automatic “True” GMT
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT
Unlike chief rival Rolex, fellow luxury brand Omega doesn’t have one standard GMT model in their lineup that stands on its own. Instead, the Bienne-based brand offers GMT variations of a number of its models, but none have developed as strong a following as this Planet Ocean GMT. Unofficially dubbed the “cookies and cream,” this is the ultimate sports travel watch for anyone looking for something with a lot of wrist presence. From its highly-polished black and white ceramic bezel to its whopping 600m water resistance to its Master Chronometer “true” GMT movement with a 15,000-gauss magnetic resistance, everything about this PO is over the top — in a good way.
Case Size: 43.5mm
Water Resistance: 600m
Movement: Automatic “True” GMT
Rolex GMT Master II
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.
Case Size: 40mm
Water Resistance: 100m
Movement: Automatic “True” GMT
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time
As you’ve no doubt noticed, every GMT on this list uses a 24-hour scale to track a second timezone. But not this Patek. Its fourth hand operates on a 12-hour scale rather than a 24-hour one, with day/night indicators for “home” and “local” time so you can keep your AM/PM straight, making this is a great GMT if you don’t like math. More robust than most Pateks, the Aquanaut is made of stainless steel, comes on a polymer strap that resists damage from UV rays and saltwater, and offers 120m water resistance. In other words, you can actually travel with this nearly $40,000 watch without being terrified of destroying it (hypothetically).
Case Size: 40.8mm
Water Resistance: 120m
Movement: Automatic “True” GMT
The Best Pepsi Bezel Watches You Can Buy
The “Pepsi” colorway is iconic, having made its debut on the very first Rolex GMT Master in 1954. It also serves a purpose on a GMT watch, with the red representing the daylight hours and the blue depicting the nighttime. Check out guide to the best Pepsi bezel watches to learn more.
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Source https://www.watchesguild.com/articles/best-gmt-watches
Source https://theupgreater.com/best-orient-watches/
Source https://hiconsumption.com/best-gmt-travel-watches/
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