13 GMT Watches for a Travel-Filled Summer
If there’s any watch that speaks to the universal desire to just get out there and explore, it’s the GMT. Named for Greenwich Mean Time, the mechanical complication—which allows the wearer to track the time both at home and away—was born in the middle of the 20th century, when the uptick in air travel meant that folks were suddenly finding themselves in more time zones than they used to. Not surprisingly, the function was a smash hit with pilots; perhaps the most famous example, the Rolex GMT-Master, was adopted by Pan Am flight crews.
These days, however, you needn’t be in the cockpit to appreciate the utility of a GMT. You just need to have a little wanderlust and one of the 13 examples on this list.
Bell & Ross BR 05 GMT Sky Blue
A highly legible caller with a sunray dial that references the sky itself, the BR 05 GMT is, like all Bell & Ross watches, rooted in a design language pulled from aviation devices. It’s an easy choice for anyone who loves the journey as much as the destination.
Breitling Navitimer Automatic GMT 41
Designed in 1952 for pilots and complete with more functionality than most folks will ever actually use—though it looks damn cool, that’s for sure—the Navitimer is an aviation icon. And now, with a central 24-hour GMT hand, the OG offers an iteration made for long hauls and short hops alike.
Bulgari Aluminium GMT
While many GMTs take their design cues from the mid-century moment when the complication debuted on the market, Bulgari goes in a different direction with its Aluminium GMT, which is based on a model introduced in 1998. The functionality is all there, but the updated—and somewhat unusual—look is a breath of fresh air.
Longines Spirit Zulu Time 39mm
When the Spirit Zulu Time arrived, fans were bowled over by the combination of a true GMT function with a jumping local hour hand, classic good looks, and a price tag much smaller than one might expect. The only divisive element was the size, a (relatively) honking 42mm diameter. The Swiss maker has since introduced a smaller, 39mm version that wears easier on more wrists and has folks the world over—us included—singing its praises.
Mido Ocean Star GMT
Combining the DNA of a GMT and a dive watch, the Ocean Star offers supreme legibility—a pretty big deal when you’re underwater and need to know how long your oxygen tank will keep you alive—and an impressive power reserve of 80 hours. Even if you take it off for the weekend, it’ll still be going on Monday.
Montblanc 1858 GMT
Instead of a central 24-hour hand, Montblanc’s 1858 GMT tracks the second time zone with a red square that moves along the outer track, displayed as a full square on the hour and a rectangle on the half hour. The functionality is the same, but the execution is just different enough to catch a few admiring glances when you bust it out as a party trick on your next trip.
Patek Philippe Aquanaut Travel Time
If your travel plans involve more lounges and lie-flat beds than the average itinerary, Patek Philippe has just the GMT for you. The rose-gold case is set off by a rich, opaline dial in blue-gray with a color-matched strap, lending the Aquanaut Travel Time a perfect blend of sportiness and refinement. And the exclusive quartz movement, with its jumping local hour hand, means you’ll always be on time.
Rolex GMT-Master II
For many people, this is the quintessential GMT. The GMT-Master II features a jumping local hour hand you can set upon touchdown without stopping the seconds, a five-link Jubilee bracelet, and a mystique all its own.Even as the name has changed and the colors of the bezel have evolved over the years, the design has remained largely the same. That’s what happens when you create an icon.
Seiko 5 Sports SKX GMT Series
Seiko punches way above its weight when it comes to delivering classic design and reliable functionality on a budget. Though this rugged GMT rings up for less than $500, it has the look and feel of something that costs much more. If you’re just getting into the game, it may very well be the daily driver you’re looking for.
Shinola Bronze Monster GMT
Shinola’s GMT doesn’t drastically differ from many of the others on this list in terms of functionality. The 24-hour hand tracks a second time zone, and the 40mm case means it’ll wear quite comfortably on a wide range of wrists.But the real standout element is just what that case is made of: bronze, which will develop its own unique patina the more you wear it.
Tissot Seastar 1000 GMT
If you’re in the mood for something really substantial, Tissot has you covered with its 46mm Seastar 1000 GMT. It’s big and burly and comes with an interchangeable quick-release bracelet so you can change the strap—and the vibe—whenever you feel like it. Add to that an 80-hour power reserve and you’ve got a real workhorse on your hands.
Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT
When Tudor’s Black Bay 58 first arrived in 2018, fans were absolutely smitten with its vintage design, perfectly proportioned 39mm case, and (relatively) attainable price point. Since then, they’ve been clamoring for a GMT version. This year, Tudor delivered, with a black-and-red “Coke” bezel, a jumping hour hand, and master chronometer certification.
Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT Automatic
Blending vintage styling with a very contemporary color combo of flamingo pink and bright white, Zodiac’s Super Sea Wolf GMT is a reminder that you can—and should—have a little fun with your watch collection. Inside, though, it’s serious stuff, with a new, in-house STP 7-20 GMT movement powering the Swiss-made time-teller.
If there’s any watch that speaks to the universal desire to just get out there and explore, it’s the GMT. Named for Greenwich Mean Time, the mechanical complication—which allows the wearer to track the time both at home and away—was born in the middle of the 20th century, when the uptick in air travel meant that folks were suddenly finding themselves in more time zones than they used to. Not surprisingly, the function was a smash hit with pilots; perhaps the most famous example, the Rolex GMT-Master, was adopted by Pan Am flight crews.
These days, however, you needn’t be in the cockpit to appreciate the utility of a GMT. You just need to have a little wanderlust and one of the 13 examples on this list.
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