The 18 Best GMT Watches

Once the jetsetter’s weapon of choice, the GMT watch is now a collector’s essential and a horological fan-favorite. For your consideration, we present the 20 best GMT watches categorized by price. Sure, we can check other time zones on our phones these days, but the GMT function adds an exquisite manual quality and visual pizzaz. Besides, who doesn’t love that extra long 24-hour hand? 

While GMT watches are often associated with the ubiquitous Pepsi bezel, this aviator’s tool actually comes in many shapes, sizes, and colors. From unconventional look-at-me devices, to timeless investment pieces, to the ultimate luxuries, all of the best GMT watches–at every price point–are represented here.

Under $1,000

Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind GMT Chrono Quartz

By incorporating a GMT to a chronograph, the Hamilton Khaki Aviation X-Wind adds one more bell and whistle, without ruining the classic masculine look. It’s quartz-accurate, adventurous, and still legible thanks to the Arabic indices. Design-wise, this watch is like a “Speedmaster-infused” or a “Lunar Pilot-plus.” The subtle orange accents (courtesy of the GMT function) make the X-Wind just a tad more exciting than your average chrono, again, while staying classic and practical.

• Price: $995
• Case Diameter: 46mm
• Movement: Caliber G10.962 Quartz
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Alpina Seastrong Diver 300 GMT Quartz

If you want a GMT watch with the simple and pragmatic robustness of a diver, the Alpina Seastrong 300 GMT is your guy. It runs on the reliable AL-247 quartz movement, boasts 300m of water resistance, and the applied indices are lumed to perfection, providing professional legibility in the dark. The all-black construction has an authoritative look to it, while the rubber strap is durable and showcases Alpina’s charming basket-weave texturing.

• Price: $795
• Case Diameter: 44mm
• Movement: AL-247 Quartz Movement
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 300 Meters

Citizen Promaster GMT

The Citizen Promaster GMT is the tactile and tactical remix of the everyday Pepsi watch. The sculptural bezel is generously-sized with Arabic numerals you can see from space. The bold blue and red coloring sit at the edge of the layered dial instead of the bezel itself. This watch also features anti-shock and anti-magnetism, an anti-reflective sapphire crystal, dive-grade luminous hands and markers, and 200m of water resistance. Super-packed with attributes, Citizen serves up another high features-to-price ratio timepiece with this Promaster.

• Price: $420
• Case Diameter: 44mm
• Movement: B877 Eco-Drive
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 200 Meters

Victorinox Swiss Army FieldForce GMT Watch

GMT functions are undeniably cool, but some practical field watch lovers may consider GMT watches a touch too jazzy. If you’re one of these gents, I give you the Victorinox Swiss Army FieldForce GMT Watch. Down-to-earth and utilitarian, this soldier of a timepiece has a Swiss Army knife-inspired counterweight, bold Arabic indices with Super-LumiNova, and a 42mm stainless steel constructed case. Naturally, it dons the trademark red second hand and the red cross shield on its dial, which complement the GMT hand, providing a practical elegance.

• Price: $475
• Case Diameter: 42mm
• Movement: Analog Quartz
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Under $2,000

Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter Auto GMT Watch

The Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter GMT’s slide-rule bezel gives it a scientific look. After all, it is a fully-working analog computer. However,  the airforce blue palette and sunburst dial combines that gadget aesthetic with a touch of professional luxury. On top of its handsome exterior, this Hamilton runs on the H-14 movement, a Swiss automatic with a whopping 80 hours of power.

• Price: $1,495
• Case Diameter: 44mm
• Movement: Hamilton H-14 Automatic
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT Automatic

The Zodiac Super Sea Wolf features the polygonic design of a Swiss Railway clock, complete with the slightly playful splashes of color with its red hand and sherbert green triangle on the bezel. The polished and brushed stainless steel case and clean black dial imbue this practical timepiece with elegance and class. The Super Sea Wolf runs on the Swiss-made Soprod C-125, a 25-jewel automatic with date, independent 24-hour hand, and hacking.

• Price: $1,695
• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Movement: Soprod C125 automatic
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 200 Meters

Longines Conquest V.H.P. GMT

Timelessly handsome, the Longines Conquest V.H.P. GMT is an effective balance of sensible and ornate. Its dial features a lined texture that makes the perfect sporty background for the high-shine applied indices and Super-Luminova accents. Most importantly, it runs on Longines L287.2 VHP (very high precision) quartz movement, which is accurate within ±5 seconds a year. Using its crown, this rigorous movement can easily be set manually.

• Price: $1,300
• Case Diameter: 41mm
• Movement: L287 VHP Quartz
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 50 Meters

Seiko Presage SPB221J1 Sharp Edged GMT

As its name declares, the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT embodies sharp looks and keen design. The dial is based on the Japanese Asanoha or hemp leaf, yet it’s reminiscent of diamond-plate steel. This gives it a racecar-industrial edge, along with its power reserve display and date sundial, all protected by an anti-reflective sapphire crystal. This watch also keeps the horologically curious entertained, since the in-house 29-jewel automatic 6R64 caliber can be admired through its exhibition case back.

• Price: $1,060+
• Case Diameter: 42.2mm
• Movement: Seiko Caliber 6R64 Automatic
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Farer Ponting GMT Watch

If you’re looking for a fun and playful watch that’s still appropriate for grown men, look no further than the Farer Pointing GMT. It features a high-grade stainless steel construction, polished at the case and brushed at the lugs, a bronze tapered crown, and a 25-jewel automatic movement. All of that real-deal horology is packaged in a sunray silk dial with burnt orange, navy blue, and sky blue accents, and strapped onto a boyish blue leather bracelet.

• Price: $1,450
• Case Diameter: 39.5mm
• Movement: Sellita SW330-1
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Under $5,000

Tudor Black Bay GMT

As Rolex’s younger brother, Tudor gives us elite quality without the flashy name with this Black Bay GMT. It also meets in the middle of the Submariner and the GMT Master II, boasting 200m of water resistance and a domed crystal for pressure-protection, in addition to its 24-hour hand. It runs on the automatic MT5652 movement, which is COSC-certified, meaning it’s tested for the utmost durability, precision, and quality by the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute.

• Price: $4,175
• Case Diameter: 41mm
• Movement: Calibre MT5652 (COSC)
• Crystal: Domed Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 200 Meters

Grand Seiko SBGM221

With its croco-embossed leather strap, mirror-finish Zaratsu-polished lugs, and classic ivory dial, the Grand Seiko SBGM221 is pure class. As every model in the Grand Seiko line, it’s equally impressive on the inside as it is on the outside. The 9S66 automatic movement plus GMT is built with 35 jewels, vibrates at eight beats per second, and has three days of power. The good news is that you can see this exquisite feat of horology through the see-through case back.

• Price: $4,600
• Case Diameter: 39.5mm
• Movement: Grand Seiko Caliber 9S66
• Crystal: Box Shaped Sapphire
• Water Resistance: Splash Resistant

Oris Aquis GMT Date

The Oris Aquis GMT Date is all about the details. The features of the dial come together beautifully with the 24-hour middle wheel, visually held in place by thick applied indices and a silky blue sheen throughout. The middle-link of the bracelet pops out with its brushed steel construction and angular shape, which complements the side links, giving this timepiece several surfaces for light to shine on—though you can also opt for a durable and cool-looking rubber strap embossed with the Oris logo. And for the first time in Oris Aquis history, the ceramic bezel is laser-engraved with a 24-hour clock.

• Price: $2,800
• Case Diameter: 43.5mm
• Movement: Oris 798, base SW 330-1 Automatic
• Crystal: Domed Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 300 Meters

Bell & Ross BR V2-93 GMT

The large but slick Arabic indices at 12, 3, 6, and 9 along with its ultra-curved crystal give the Bell & Ross BR V2-93 GMT a distinct and bold style, unique at every angle. The 41mm satin-polished steel case is sophisticated, while the unidirectional bezel is practical and anodized. This means that an electrolytic process was used to create a protective layer for extra durability. It runs on caliber BR-CAL.303, a 21-jewel automatic movement with a 42-hour power reserve.

• Price: $3,800
• Case Diameter: 41mm
• Movement: BR-CAL.303 Automatic
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Breitling Avenger II GMT Watch

If you like watches that look like they’d be worn by a superhero, then the Breitling Avenger II GMT is the Iron Man timepiece you’re looking for. The chiseled bezel is masculine and robust, featuring Arabic numbers in a stenciled aviation-inspired font. That, and the non-slip textured crown make for a fun and tactile user-experience. Ever practical, this Breitling GMT runs on the Breitling 32 automatic movement, which is self-winding and super reliable.

• Price: $4,325
• Case Diameter: 43mm
• Movement: Breitling Caliber 32 Self-Winding Mechanical
• Crystal: Cambered Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 300 Meters

Under $10,000

Grand Seiko SBGE255 GMT Watch

Seiko really puts its master-of-all status into the Grand Seiko SBGE255. On the design front, it’s the perfect mix of sport and classy. On the function side, the Spring Drive caliber is the best of both quartz and automatic movements. Its case is complex, with a slight swelling in the middle that tapers off on both sides creating an excellent liquid-like luster. The ultra-glossy bezel slopes down and is exceedingly scratch-resistant. The 30-jewel movement has a whole 72 hours of power and is accurate within ±1 second per day, thanks to Seiko’s innovative Spring Drive.

• Price: $6,200
• Case Diameter: 40.5mm
• Movement: Grand Seiko 9R66 Spring Drive
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 200 Meters

Panerai Luminor GMT Watch

In the grand tradition of Panerai, this Luminor GMT stitches together unlike design features for an impressively seamless and artistic visual experience. The cushion-like polished steel case is flanked by a robust crown guard, while the stark black dial is lit up with a contrasting silver subdial and lumed green accents throughout. The beige-stitched leather strap is a handsome vintage brown, again, creating a superb contrast. This Panerai also runs on a COSC-certified automatic movement, so expect high-level reliability and durability.

• Price: $7,500
• Case Diameter: 44mm
• Movement: Panerai Caliber OP XXXI Automatic
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 300 Meters

Rolex Explorer II

If you’re an outdoorsman, but in the pheasant-hunting-in-the-English-countryside sort of way, the Rolex Explorer II will go excellently with your Barbour shooting vest. At this point, the Explorer II has just as rich a history as its predecessor, the Rolex I, and it definitely has more going for it visually. Its bright orange GMT hand is iconic and has spawned many copycats. The white dial is regal, but the beefy 42mm case and numbered bezel ensure that this is still a tough and durable field watch. Since it’s Rolex, it runs on COSC-certified automatic movement that’s accurate within ±2 seconds a day.

• Price: $9,500
• Case Diameter: 42mm
• Movement: Rolex Caliber 3285
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Under $50,000

Rolex GMT Master II

The most legendary GMT of all, the PanAmerican-ordered Rolex GMT Master also started the Pepsi bezel trend often associated with GMT wristwatches. The contemporary GMT Master II is the gold standard, running on the COSC-certified automatic 3285 caliber, and built with the fade-proof Rolex Cerachrom bezel insert. This bezel will stay bright red and vivid blue until the end of time. It’s usually partnered with the ornate and glamorous Jubilee bracelet, really cinching its reputation as the industry’s quintessential cosmopolitan watch.  As of 2021, however, you can snag the Rolex GMT Master II Pepsi version in an Oyster bracelet as well.

• Price: $10,500+
• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Movement: Rolex Caliber 3285
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 100 Meters

Patek Philippe 5524G

A GMT unlike any other, auction house darling Patek Philippe delivers yet again with the 5542G. On the exterior, you’ve got a varnished blue dial, serving as an aristocratically understated backdrop for the lively gold-applied Arabic indices. The case is real-deal white gold with a sapphire crystal, all on a calfskin leather strap. On the interior, you’ve got a 29-jewel automatic movement with an actual 21k gold rotor. Of course, you can admire this fancy caliber through the sapphire case back.

• Price: $55,590+
• Case Diameter: 40mm
• Movement: Patek Philippe Caliber 324 S C FUS Self-Winding Mechanical
• Crystal: Sapphire
• Water Resistance: 60 Meters

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