Looking for a great GMT……
Hi everyone. I’m looking to add a GMT to the collection. I’m about 3 yrs into my watch obsession and I’m looking for advice? Any one have any recommendations??
I’ve been looking at Tudor mainly, but I‘m not a huge fan of the Watch thickness (black bay pro or the root beer). Price rang would ideally be $2500 - $5000. Anyone have any suggestions??
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Aaron
New to the watch scene, looking to expand my collection.
Edmonton
Member since
Last active: 1 year ago
https://jackmasonbrand.com/pages/stratotimer-gmt You might consider this if you don't mind microbrands.
Great value Swiss GMT: https://www.midowatches.com/us/ocean-star-gmt-m0266291104100.html
Another popular model here: https://zulu.longines.com/
If thickness is an issue for you a true mechanical GMT will always be on the thicker side though. You can get "office" GMTs that are a bit thinner like the Seiko SSK models or go quartz, which for accuracy purposes is not a bad deal at all. I have a Timex Waterbury GMT I really enjoy, also 1/10 of your budget.
The Oak & Oscar Humboldt.
I’ve had it for about two weeks and I love it. And it’s much thinner than the Tudor GMTs.
Have you had the BBPro on your wrist?
I bought one last week and I think this thickness isn’t an issue at all. yes it’s noticeable at first, but after 2-3 days of wear it feels fine. It’s not obscenely thick, just ever so slightly thicker than what you’re probably used to, esp if you own other watches Around 11-12mm thick.
Not to mention the bracelet is one of the best I’ve ever worn.
Take a look at GS GMT options. There are a lot of great ones within your price range.
Can you clarify if you want an office vs travelers GMT?
Save yourself some money and buy something as good for less
One aspect that isn’t considered a lot is the type of life style you have, or to put it in another way do you want and “adventurer” watch or something a little different.
For me the best GMT in the price range you mention is the Grand Seiko SBGM221
It’s more on the formal side but it can easily be dressed down with the right strap, it’s a travelers GMT with a gorgeus design. The main issue for most would be the WR but for me, and here comes the lifestyle theme, it’s nothing to worry about, most of my travelling abroad is to big cities and I hardly ever (if not never) go to a pool or a beach.
With your budget I’d get the GS and the upcoming Lorier Hyperion II, for $800 you get a swiss callers GMT with a cool vintage vibe and it’s more of an adventure watch, enough WR, screw down crown and more important a gorgeus design.
I’m actually waiting for it’s release, to get one for myself, and the GS has been one of my grails for quite some time, I hope it will come down the road.
Have you tried on a Black Bay Pro? They really don't feel thick (domed crystal) and seems the natural choice.
https://www.longislandwatch.com/islander-republic-swiss-automatic-gmt-watch-with-grey-dial-isl-140/
This is a great option at a budget price and at present with 200 bucks off that good already price. Uses the Sellita SW330-2 Same as the Christopher Ward C63 GMT ( which would be another great choice.
Can't go wrong with an Islander.
Take a look at GS GMT options. There are a lot of great ones within your price range.
What’s the second pic called? That dial looks good.
Longines Spirit Zulu Time
Retails at $2950 on the deployment strap with micro-adjust or $3050 for the bracelet. Both come with a quick change mechanism.
Proprietary Longines movement made by ETA with a 72 hour power reserve and COSC certified.
Comes in blue with orange accents (shown here), black with blue accents, or anthracite with a green bezel and Gilt trim.
Since case thickness on the BB Pro is a concern, you will surely notice that the Zulu Time is nearly 14mm thick, but 3mm of that is the domed sapphire crystal. The watch case itself is only 6.5mm thick making for a slimmer wearing experience.
Great reviews coming in of the new Zelos Spearfish. That it punches far above its price tag, with a 'luxury standard' bracelet and clasp. You could get one and save yourself some £££s.
Check out Formex Reef GMT and Monta Skyquest which come under $2500 with Sellita SW330-2 movement . YoureTerrific did a comparison and has separate reviews for these. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_29qAuXQphU&t=50s&ab_channel=YoureTerrific
What’s the second pic called? That dial looks good.
That is a JDM SD model SBGE209. I like to call it "White Carbon". 😉
One aspect that isn’t considered a lot is the type of life style you have, or to put it in another way do you want and “adventurer” watch or something a little different.
For me the best GMT in the price range you mention is the Grand Seiko SBGM221
It’s more on the formal side but it can easily be dressed down with the right strap, it’s a travelers GMT with a gorgeus design. The main issue for most would be the WR but for me, and here comes the lifestyle theme, it’s nothing to worry about, most of my travelling abroad is to big cities and I hardly ever (if not never) go to a pool or a beach.
With your budget I’d get the GS and the upcoming Lorier Hyperion II, for $800 you get a swiss callers GMT with a cool vintage vibe and it’s more of an adventure watch, enough WR, screw down crown and more important a gorgeus design.
I’m actually waiting for it’s release, to get one for myself, and the GS has been one of my grails for quite some time, I hope it will come down the road.
Thank you so much for the info!!
Thank you all for the great information, I will definitely be doing my research and I’ll post what I get!
I would second that Mido/Hodinkee collaboration. I also like the new Serica GMT. It oozes unique style. The Mido is a traveler's style while the Serica is a caller style, but both are great in my opinion. This picture shows the watch destro-style (lefty crown), but you can order the watch with the crown on either the 3 or 9 o'clock sides.
Grand Seiko SBGE253. Refined dial (busy for some, but it just works imo), amazing movement.
Black Bay Pro. Yeah it is thick on paper, but it's a trick. I tried it at the AD a month ago, it wears beautifully. First, it's 39mm with a reasonable lug to lug, which helps immensely with the fit, it sits perfectly on the wrist (6.5" for me). Secondly, the way Tudor structured that thickness is just clever. A lot of case back that sinks into your wrist anyway (and is therefore barely visible) and a lot of dome on that cristal. The mid section, what you mostly notice, is very reasonable.
I have one of these UN GMT +-. You set your home time in the window at 11 o'clock and use the two pushers to advance or reverse the hour hand for the correct local time. Best true GMT and they trade used for $2500.00 to $4000.00.
Great reviews coming in of the new Zelos Spearfish. That it punches far above its price tag, with a 'luxury standard' bracelet and clasp. You could get one and save yourself some £££s.
Can this actually be purchased? Ive had eyes on some of their watches, but it looks like the company just produces 50 pieces, it gets sold out in half an hour and then they just move to another model design, just churning references like a client's portfolio in the hands of a bad broker.
Can this actually be purchased? Ive had eyes on some of their watches, but it looks like the company just produces 50 pieces, it gets sold out in half an hour and then they just move to another model design, just churning references like a client's portfolio in the hands of a bad broker.
They'll probably release another batch.
In that price range I would suggest the Longines Spirit Zulu Time.
https://www.longines.com/en-us/watch-longines-spirit-l3-812-4-53-2
Horage supersede k2
Not on the wrist, they had just sold their only one earlier that day (at least that’s what they told me). I only had the root beer on the wrist, it’s a stunning watch.
Yeah fair enough I know a lot of ADs have waitlists for this watch still.
But as with any other watch, or thing in general - don’t knock it ’til you try it!
Ahh, so close! Well I can't disagree, the Mido is a great choice anyway you go.
After about 8 months deliberation, this is what I bought last month
https://www.montblanc.com/Item/Index?cod10=1647597286680992&siteCode=MONTBLANC_GB
Check out Formex Reef GMT and Monta Skyquest which come under $2500 with Sellita SW330-2 movement . YoureTerrific did a comparison and has separate reviews for these. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_29qAuXQphU&t=50s&ab_channel=YoureTerrific
Owner of the previous gen Skyquest here, can’t recommend Monta enough! Great customer service and superb quality. By far my most worn watch of 2022, mostly due to the comfortable bracelet and highly legible dual.
My boss’s boss has a collection with multiple Omegas, Rolexes, and a Tudor and he’s planning on buying the Skyquest because it’s that good.
So, I have been on the hunt for a great GMT for a long time now. I think GMT is kinda the best complication for my lifestyle.
A few months ago I got my hands on the BB Pro. Which was a great watch, but for some reason I never bonded with it. I wore it daily for a month and it was cool, but not really my style. I think I am going to try a GS next. the SBGN027 is on my hit list. Its quartz, but I really like the reliability of having it super accurate. Also the 4:30 crown looks great and makes it a GS for me.
Was also thinking about the Jack Mason (hopefully Watchcrunch edition). It looks pretty cool and also well priced.
I have four GMTs on my one-day-I'd-love-to-own-these list, all of which are around your price point, all pretty different though: