The best GMT watches are a unique combination of style and functionality, which is why they are a must-have accessory in any collection.
These watches have always been popular among travelers as they allow for precise tracking of both local time and the time in their home city without constantly changing the watch settings.
However, with so many options available in the market, it can be challenging to find the perfect GMT watch that strikes a good balance between quality and price.
That’s why we’ve created this text to help you identify the best GMT watches in terms of quality and price, so you can find the watch that best suits your needs and budget.
Índice de contenidos
- 1 ✚ What is a GMT Watch?
- 2 ✚ GMT Watches and Their History
- 3 ✚ Best GMT Watches 2024
- 3.1 ➤ 1. Seiko 5 Sports GMT
- 3.2 ➤ 2. Victorinox FieldForce GMT
- 3.3 ➤ 3. Citizen Promaster Nighthawk
- 3.4 ➤ 4. Swiss Alpine Military GMT
- 3.5 ➤ 5. Luminox Bear Grylls Air Series GMT
- 3.6 ➤ 6. Bulova Wilton GMT
- 3.7 ➤ 7. Alpina Seastrong GMT
- 3.8 ➤ 8. Mido Ocean Star GMT
- 3.9 ➤ 9. Laco Frankfurt GMT
- 3.10 ➤ 10. Hamilton Jazzmaster GMT Limited Edition
✚ What is a GMT Watch?
The term “GMT” stands for Greenwich Mean Time and is a designation used in watches that have two hour hands. The main hour hand is used for regular time, while the GMT hand is used to track multiple time zones simultaneously.
![Tandorio GMT Watch](http://ae01.alicdn.com/kf/Sd4febdb6bc714367b112ec15447c15acB.jpg_350x350.jpg")
To achieve this, GMT watches feature a 24-hour bezel that indicates the hours. Some GMT bezels are fixed and only allow tracking of an additional time zone, while others are rotatable and enable tracking of multiple time zones.
Greenwich Mean Time is based on the solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, and is not affected by daylight saving time, unlike most time zones around the world.
The GMT designation was established in 1884 in an international convention that decided Greenwich would be the “reference time” or “mean time” compared to the rest of the world’s time zones.
✚ GMT Watches and Their History
The first GMT watch to be manufactured was the Rolex GMT-Master 6542, launched in 1954, and although it was not initially intended for the general public, it quickly became a bestseller.
Its creation was motivated by the request of the airline PanAm, which required a tool for pilots to monitor multiple time zones simultaneously, especially during international flights.
Due to its success, Rolex decided to include it in its catalog of luxury watches, making it a brand associated with high-end and expensive watches.
However, this is not always the case, as there are many affordable GMT watches in the market today. GMT models are more complex than conventional watches, which comes with a price, but there are less luxurious brands that make them accessible.
In fact, while a gold Rolex GMT watch can cost tens of thousands of dollars, other brands offer options for just a few hundred dollars.
This means that GMT watches are no longer reserved for an exclusive elite but are within reach of a broader audience.
✚ Best GMT Watches 2024
➤ 1. Seiko 5 Sports GMT
In the current market, there are various GMT watches available in a wide range of prices, with many of them being quartz, and automatic ones often having prohibitive prices.
Fortunately, there is a reasonably priced alternative, the Seiko 5 Sports GMT, a watch with which the brand has revolutionized the GMT market, featuring a reliable Japanese automatic movement.
Like other models in the collection, this watch has a solid and well-crafted construction. Furthermore, its distinctive design sets it apart from other watches that seek to imitate Rolex.
Undoubtedly, one of the best GMT watches available today when considering the quality/price ratio.
| Crystal | Hardlex |
|---|---|
| Movement | Japanese Automatic |
| Caliber | Seiko 4R34 GMT |
| Case Diameter | 42.5 mm |
| Case Thickness | 13.6 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
➤ 2. Victorinox FieldForce GMT
The Victorinox FieldForce GMT is a military-inspired sports watch available in the market for around a few hundred euros.
Following Victorinox’s style, this watch focuses on readability and functionality, with a matte black dial and large Arabic numerals coated with Lumibrite for improved visibility in low-light conditions.
Unlike other GMT watches on the market, the FieldForce GMT’s bezel is not used to mark the 24-hour GMT time but instead for 60-second markers.
The 24-hour indicator is located on the inner part of the dial, and the GMT hand features an open oval that displays the GMT time, making it a unique and attractive design feature.
Its monochromatic and black aesthetic stands out, giving it a sporty appearance, with the seconds hand painted in red to add a splash of color.
In summary, the Victorinox FieldForce GMT is one of the best GMT watches for its durability, ruggedness, and versatility. Ideal for everyday wear.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Movement | Swiss Quartz |
| Caliber | Ronda 515.24H |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm |
| Case Thickness | 10.5 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
➤ 3. Citizen Promaster Nighthawk
The Citizen Promaster Nighthawk is a pilot’s watch that combines a distinctly sporty design with outstanding performance, thanks to its wide range of functions and useful features.
This GMT watch operates on Citizen’s Eco-Drive movement, caliber B877, which displays time in both 12 and 24-hour formats. It also features a rotating slide rule bezel, specifically designed for pilots.
Thanks to the Eco-Drive system, the watch is powered by solar or ambient light and can run for months on the energy stored in its battery. This also eliminates the need for battery changes, which is a significant advantage.
In summary, the Citizen Promaster Nighthawk is one of the best GMT watches for those looking for a combination of functionality and style in their daily wear.
| Crystal | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Movement | Japanese Quartz |
| Caliber | Citizen B877 Eco-Drive (Solar) |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12.5 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 20 ATM (200 meters) |
➤ 4. Swiss Alpine Military GMT
Swiss Alpine Military is a series of watches produced by Grovana that has gained great popularity in recent years, thanks to its excellent combination of reliability, precision, and durability.
These are elegant sports watches made with high-quality components, such as the Swiss Ronda 515.24H GMT movement featured in this model. Furthermore, their prices are among the most affordable.
They also have readable and easy-to-read dials, making them highly functional, and they are water-resistant, ensuring a high level of comfort in use.
| Crystal | Mineral |
|---|---|
| Movement | Swiss Quartz |
| Caliber | Ronda 515.24H |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm |
| Case Thickness | 11 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 10 ATM (100 meters) |
➤ 5. Luminox Bear Grylls Air Series GMT
The Luminox Bear Grylls Air Series GMT is an affordable GMT watch designed to endure and handle extreme situations. Its 45 mm stainless steel case and multifunctional design with a thickness of 13 mm make it a rugged and practical choice.
Furthermore, it features a bidirectional rotating bezel that allows tracking time in different cities worldwide, enhancing its GMT features.
As a highly functional adventure watch, it boasts high-quality luminescent markers capable of providing constant brightness for at least 25 years.
The dial is protected by scratch-resistant sapphire crystal and includes a date window located between 4 and 5 o’clock.
Inside, it is powered by a precise and reliable Swiss quartz Ronda 515 movement, with an estimated battery life of 50 months.
In summary, the Luminox Bear Grylls Air Series is one of the best GMT watches for affordability and durability, ideal for outdoor activities and capable of withstanding the harshest conditions.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Movement | Swiss Quartz |
| Caliber | Ronda 515.24H |
| Case Diameter | 45 mm |
| Case Thickness | 13 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel Case and Nylon Strap |
| Water Resistance | 20 ATM (200 meters) |
➤ 6. Bulova Wilton GMT
Citizen, Seiko’s competitor, owns both Bulova and Miyota, the company that manufactured the automatic GMT movement used in the Bulova Wilton GMT, which explains a lot.
This watch seems to be a response to the Seiko 5 Sports GMT but is by no means an equivalent, as it integrates components that surpass those of its competitor.
Notably, the Miyota 9075 automatic movement in the Wilton GMT is of a superior level of movements and allows independent hour hand setting, a appreciated feature in watchmaking.
In summary, this GMT watch may have a slightly higher price than the Seiko 5 Sports, but it offers justified value and a more striking appearance.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Movement | Japanese Automatic |
| Caliber | Miyota 9075 |
| Case Diameter | 43 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12.5 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel Case and Leather Strap |
| Water Resistance | 3 ATM |
➤ 7. Alpina Seastrong GMT
The Alpina Seastrong GMT is an innovative watch model by Alpina, designed to withstand the most extreme conditions.
In fact, the Seastrong GMT is more than suitable for diving, with a waterproof rating of up to 300 meters and scratch-resistant sapphire crystal, making it one of the most robust GMT watches on the market.
Among its features, it also stands out for the stainless steel strap with titanium coating and the unidirectional rotating bezel with extra luminescence on markers and a luminous mark at 12 o’clock.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Movement | Swiss Quartz |
| Caliber | AL-247 |
| Case Diameter | 44.5 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12.5 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 30 ATM (300 m) |
➤ 8. Mido Ocean Star GMT
The Mido Ocean Star GMT diving watch from the Swiss brand Mido, a member of the Swatch Group, is an excellent choice for those seeking a solid and refined watch at an affordable price.
With a size of 44 mm, the Ocean Star GMT is generously sized, but its construction is of high quality in relation to its price.
Additionally, it is powered by a Swiss automatic movement with a power reserve of up to 80 hours, thanks to its affiliation with the sister company ETA.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Movement | Swiss Automatic |
| Caliber | Mido Caliber 80 (ETA C07.661 base) |
| Case Diameter | 44 mm |
| Case Thickness | 13.3 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel |
| Water Resistance | 20 ATM (200 m) |
➤ 9. Laco Frankfurt GMT
The Laco Frankfurt GMT is a watch designed to meet the needs of travelers, businessmen, and pilots who travel to different time zones.
This watch stands out for its dial design, with a two-crown bezel and an inner 24-hour ring, which is uncommon in GMT/Pilot watches.
It also features a dark sandblasted stainless steel case with a diameter of 43 mm, thickness of 12.5 mm, and a lug-to-lug measurement of 50 mm. It is also water-resistant up to 200 meters.
The Laco Frankfurt GMT operates with the Laco 330 automatic movement, based on the Sellita SW330-2 caliber, providing an accuracy of 0 to +14 seconds per day.
While not the most budget-friendly option, it is an excellent GMT choice for aviation watch collectors with a decent budget.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Movement | Swiss Automatic |
| Caliber | Laco 330 (Sellita SW330-2 base) |
| Case Diameter | 43 mm |
| Case Thickness | 12.5 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel Case and Nylon Strap |
| Water Resistance | 20 ATM (200 m) |
➤ 10. Hamilton Jazzmaster GMT Limited Edition
The Hamilton Jazzmaster GMT Limited Edition is an impressive creation from the prestigious Swiss watch company Hamilton, internationally recognized for its expertise in watch design and functionality since 1893.
This watch catches the eye with its ultra-resistant black PVD finish and its Swiss automatic GMT movement ETA 2893-2. It also features a sapphire crystal and is water-resistant up to 5 ATM.
In fact, it is considered one of the best travel watches, thanks to its high-end dual-time indication that meets Hamilton’s quality standards.
However, it is a limited edition with only 999 pieces produced, which significantly increases its selling price, although the quality remains exceptional.
| Crystal | Sapphire |
|---|---|
| Movement | Swiss Automatic |
| Caliber | ETA 2893-2 |
| Case Diameter | 42 mm |
| Case Thickness | 11.5 mm |
| Materials | Stainless Steel Case and Leather Strap |
| Water Resistance | 5 ATM (50 m) |
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Last update of links and images on 2024-04-29.
