Admittedly, I am somebody who spends a large portion of their time daydreaming about far off landscapes and the adventures I am yet to take. At just two years old, I was taken on my first-ever holiday to Skiathos, Greece and my fond memories of that trip (or perhaps the ones I’ve seen perpetually played out on grainy VHS tapes since) I’m sure are largely responsible for the ‘travel bug’ that I caught then and haven’t shaken since.
From the tropical paradise that is Tobago, to New York, the city that never sleeps, travel has been a huge priority for me for as long as I can remember. So much so, that whenever I catch up with friends over coffee, one of the first things they ask is “well, have you got any trips planned?”.
Boldr Venture GMT Blue. Credit: WatchGecko.
To me, there is nothing quite like the thrill of chasing an adventure. From giddily planning out every second of my itinerary, right through to stepping onto the tarmac into an entirely different culture and climate. It’s important then, for those of us with eternally “itchy feet”, to consider which timepiece is able to reliably keep up with our globetrotting.
Look no further than GMT.
NODUS Sector GMT. Credit: NODUS.
Nowadays, GMT (short for Greenwich Mean Time) is just a time zone, but in the context of timepieces it is also a signifier of watches that are capable of displaying more than one time zone. GMT watches come in all shapes and sizes but are primarily a point of interest due to their extra hour hand, and oftentimes, a 24-hour rotating bezel. Mitigating the need to Google search “What time is it in *insert country here*?”, GMT watches are designed with travellers and pilots in mind and allow the wearer to simultaneously keep track of multiple time zones.
At WatchGecko we carry a broad range of GMT watches, and we’re bound to have something to suit your individual style and expectations. If you are in the market for a GMT watch fit to keep up with your adventures, read on to discover our top choices for all budgets from the WatchGecko store:
Boldr Venture GMT Field Watch
BOLDR Venture GMT. Credit: WatchGecko.
Highly affordable at only £299, the Boldr Venture GMT comes in a choice of Khaki, Black, Green, or Blue. With the addition of the GMT complication, the already highly functional Boldr Venture becomes the perfect travel companion.
Arriving in an ultra-wearable 38mm titanium case, the Venture GMT is exceptionally lightweight, which, when you’re already carrying passports, Duty Free shopping, and luggage, is likely to feel absolutely essential. Equally as crucial, the Boldr Venture GMT features a screw-down crown and an impressive 200m water resistance, making it ideal for pool days or more rigorous diving.
The Boldr Venture GMT uses an ultra-reliable Swiss quartz movement, the Ronda 515.24H, which is accurate to -10/+20 seconds and has a battery life capable of outlasting any holiday at approximately 45 months.
Allowing you to track two time zones at a glance, the Boldr Venture’s orange GMT hand sits smartly on a clutter free dial and makes for a great ‘grab-and-go’ option with minimal fuss.
NODUS Sector GMT
NODUS Sector GMT. Credit: NODUS.
Proving less is more, NODUS’ Sector GMT collection is simplistic yet effective. Armed with a subtle fourth hand to track two time zones intuitively and an elegant 38mm case, the NODUS Sector GMT wears more like a field watch than a traditional GMT which can fall on the clunkier side.
Equal parts sleek and functional, the NODUS Sector GMT comes equipped with the Seiko TMI NH34 (GMT) caliber and has a power reserve of 41 hours with +/- 10 second accuracy per day. With 100m water resistance it’s a perfect swimming companion and will extend to poolside diving or snorkeling but probably isn’t quite ready to venture into the depths with you.
Offering Swiss Super-LumiNova® BGW9 Grade A and full Arabic numerals with high-contrast hands, the NODUS Sector GMT feels aesthetically minimal with enhanced visibility on an un-cluttered dial. A great day-to-day option without too much fuss, the NODUS Sector GMT does exactly what it says on the tin and at an affordable price point too.
NTH DevilRay GMT
NTH DevilRay WatchGecko Exclusive. Credit: WatchGecko.
For those of us who see travel as a means of taking the plunge, with not only an extra GMT hand but 500m water resistance, our collaboration with NTH Watches is a water-lovers’ dream. Drawing its inspiration from the extreme diving watches of the 1960’s-70’s, this exceptional timepiece is designed to be the ultimate diving watch.
Powered by the reliable Seiko NH34 automatic movement, the tried and tested caliber gives the timepiece a 41-hour power reserve with accuracy to -10/+20 seconds per day.
With clever nods to the hero dive watches of a bygone era at the forefront of design principles, the NTH DevilRay sits on a distinct steel cushion that is wholly representative of the era by which it was inspired. The hands, markers, bezel, and crown are filled with X1 Super-LumiNova® for supreme legibility in the darkest depths and the outer and inner scales on the bezel have been distinguished in two different coatings to ensure the display remains uncomplicated.
Though admittedly subtler than the large red fourth hands seen on some GMT models, the extra GMT hand stands out nicely against the dial with the short orange pointer arrow delivering the performance required to give easily visible readings of a second time zone. The bezel’s 01-12 outer ring works particularly well with this model and at the price point it can meet the needs of most travelers.
FORMEX Reef GMT
FORMEX REEF GMT. Credit: FORMEX.
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- £1,990.00
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At the higher end of the price spectrum on WatchGecko, but also the higher end of GMT capabilities, sits the FORMEX REEF GMT. Designed to expand upon the core concept of the original REEF diver, the FORMEX REEFGMT allows the wearer to track three different time zones without sacrificing the robust design that the REEF is known for.
The professional dive characteristics of the REEF collection remain in-tact, with double gasket construction and screw-down crown assisting to give the timepiece 300m of water resistance. In addition, though, the GMT variants have a 24-hour complication and a GMT bezel to enable time zone changes.
In keeping with the build quality of REEF models, the bidirectional rotatable GMT bezels are finished with unique sunburst and made of Zirconium oxide ceramic which has incredibly hard, scratch-resistant properties. With Super-Luminova® BGW9 incorporated to offer time zone reading in low light and a smooth 48-click action to track a third time zone, the FORMEX REEF GMT is contemporary, functional and makes a great companion no matter how far your journey takes you.
Let me know in the comments what your go-to travel watch is and where you’d wear it!
