The surprisingly lukewarm reception of the Miyota 9075

About a month ago, another user already posted about the upcoming Miyota "Traveler's GMT" movement 9075, but even though this caliber surfaced well over a month ago, its impact made little to no waves, rather ripples within the watch community - and I think that that's really puzzling, given the hype around the new Seiko GMT and how desirable an independently moving hour hand on a budget seems to be for many of us...

Maybe it didn't help the movement to have its first appearance in a rather underwhelming Bulova (apparently designed by the "Clunky Mall-Watch Collective est. 2007"), but nonetheless: to me, this is a big deal. And even if a "Caller GMT" might be more useful for most people, the panache of a true GMT is, at least for me, unrivaled. I'd certainly throw my money happily at a Baltic GMT or a Lorier Hyperion sporting the 9075. What about you?

Reply
·

I think it needs to be used in more/more popular watches to get the love it needs.  Citizen should not hoard this one, IMHO and should open it up to microbrands.

I personally can’t wait for a 60s styled GMT dive watch with 200-300M WR to come out using this movement.  If one surfaces in the ~$500 range, I’m there, no questions asked.

·

I am just here to applaud your description of Bulova, very apt.

·

I would rather have a historic Bulova than a Baltic. Not all watch nerds disrespect lower price point brands.

·

PS: Miyota movement? Not my preference.

·

The Hodinkee article on the new Bulova said that the 9075 would be available to third parties. So I would expect to see it in many other brands GMTs fairly soon. Personally, I like the design of the Bulova. I like the globe-like texture on the dial and the case shape. I think its a handsome watch.

·
StevieC54

I would rather have a historic Bulova than a Baltic. Not all watch nerds disrespect lower price point brands.

Image

I love Bulova. They seem directionless under Citizen.

Image
·

The 9075 is not available to non-Citizen-owned brands yet so the reception is limited to the one watch in which it debuted. I am 10000% behind a traveler style GMT in a Baltic or Lorier or literally any of the microbrands who are consistently using 38-39mm cases.

It'll come soon!

·

I totally agree with your analysis. The Myiota 9075 is not getting as much hype as the Seiko 4R-34. I love the addition of the movement as it gives another affordable option of a GMT movement for microbrands & others to use. Finally, its 4Hz unlike Seiko's 3Hz which is a plus for me. I will most likely buy watches with both movements as both standards movements have been very reliable in my experience.  

·
Aurelian

I am just here to applaud your description of Bulova, very apt.

Even the name of the watch ... "Wilton"... WTF?

·
AFChris

Even the name of the watch ... "Wilton"... WTF?

Bulova and Hamilton were known to list their watches using men's names for men's watches. They are just stressing continuity by keeping the name. The watches that I have shown above are both from 1949, top is "His Excellency" and the bottom is a "Walton". I also own an "Arnold" and a Hamilton "Roland".

·
Aurelian

Bulova and Hamilton were known to list their watches using men's names for men's watches. They are just stressing continuity by keeping the name. The watches that I have shown above are both from 1949, top is "His Excellency" and the bottom is a "Walton". I also own an "Arnold" and a Hamilton "Roland".

Interesting, I did not know that. 👍

·

As far as I know, it is already used outside of the Citizen Group by two manufacturers: Lip (in its Nautic Ski Auto GMT) and Zeppelin (in its new Atlantic Auto GMT). I believe we'll be seeing some more manufacturers use it in time.

·

It’s definitely a big deal and great news for the watch community. 

·

The sales pitch is just too similar to the Seiko (affordable GMT, primed for third party adoption). Maybe if the Bulova had been better, and if the release didn't overlap with the SSK, it would have gotten the attention it deserves. I'm sure it's just a matter of time before people consider it the premium Japanese option in the microbrand space - just like the rest of the 9000 series. It just won't get the initial fanfare that the Seiko received because it's not as affordable, and a Bulova design doesn't compete with the "return of the SKX".

·
JBird7986

I think it needs to be used in more/more popular watches to get the love it needs.  Citizen should not hoard this one, IMHO and should open it up to microbrands.

I personally can’t wait for a 60s styled GMT dive watch with 200-300M WR to come out using this movement.  If one surfaces in the ~$500 range, I’m there, no questions asked.

I think it's already opening up. Just saw this morning another brand (Jack Mason) has announced a 9075 for their next watch. Quite exciting to see microbrands get a hold of this movement. 

·

After owning several 2893-2 & 330 based GMTs I have come to realize I personally can't stand the caller function.  If I'm working and calling different time zones, sitting at a desk it's easy to have some form of display on my computer to show several time zones.  Completely resetting my watch when connecting through time zones vs jumping the hour hand is a deal breaker for me.  I really don't travel enough for this to be a huge deal but I still don't enjoy how a caller works.  

Now I find myself with an expensive traveler GMT that I absolutely love however...  Any time a cool micro brand GMT catches my eye the decision is already made for me, I know it's a caller and I want no part of it.  That all changes with the 9075.  This is such a big deal I think any microbrand should consider offering a caller & traveler option for any GMT model.  I hope we see wide distribution of this movement.  My only question is why has it taken this long?

·
Noodle_Salad99

After owning several 2893-2 & 330 based GMTs I have come to realize I personally can't stand the caller function.  If I'm working and calling different time zones, sitting at a desk it's easy to have some form of display on my computer to show several time zones.  Completely resetting my watch when connecting through time zones vs jumping the hour hand is a deal breaker for me.  I really don't travel enough for this to be a huge deal but I still don't enjoy how a caller works.  

Now I find myself with an expensive traveler GMT that I absolutely love however...  Any time a cool micro brand GMT catches my eye the decision is already made for me, I know it's a caller and I want no part of it.  That all changes with the 9075.  This is such a big deal I think any microbrand should consider offering a caller & traveler option for any GMT model.  I hope we see wide distribution of this movement.  My only question is why has it taken this long?

My only question is why has it taken this long?

Good question. The standard answer that's being repeated through the media is, that a traveler GMT is more difficult to execute. Which sounds reasonable. But that alone doesn't explain why it took decades to come up with an affordable alternative to the big names.

I suppose we cannot overestimate the boost that the recent increase in public interest in our hobby has had on the industry. The trickle down effect has really picked up lately.

·
JBird7986

I think it needs to be used in more/more popular watches to get the love it needs.  Citizen should not hoard this one, IMHO and should open it up to microbrands.

I personally can’t wait for a 60s styled GMT dive watch with 200-300M WR to come out using this movement.  If one surfaces in the ~$500 range, I’m there, no questions asked.

Update: A micro brand called Jack Mason is releasing a watch with this movement: the Strat-O-Timer. It’s $999 (twice your number) but you should check it out! Here’s a review video by WatchChris.

·

I arrived here after googling for some information about the movement, after I came across a Belgian microbrand using it in one of their new models: https://www.gavox.com/product/gavox-longitude/

·

Fun fact: I just googled the Minotaur 9075 movement, and this thread came up first. So there’s that. 

·

Also the Traksa Venturer GMT and Marloe GMT

·

I pre-ordered a Vaer G5 True GMT watch. From what I gather that watch is selling well. Hopefully the movement will be a winner.

·

I've pre-ordered the Borealis Estoril 300 GMT. It's the nicest example of the 9075 I've seen so far, and the cheapest too. I was happy to discover this homage to the Omega Seamaster 300, allowing me to try out the 9075 in a form factor I've always admired.

P.S. Borealis has this weird half now, half later ordering process, so the price ends up being $450 total. A 20% off code popped up for me, which meant $200.00 to order. Before shipping I'll send them another $250.00 when they notify me it's ready. Just adding this after realizing the link I posted could be deceptive. I've never dealt with them before.

Image

https://www.borealiswatch.com/collections/borealis-estoril-300-gmt

·

I have a 1986 GMT Master II and the Lorier Hyperion with the 9075. Functionally and from a "feel" standpoint (using the stem), the 9075 is every bit the equal of the Rolex. Of course the Rolex has served me well for 37 years and the jury is out on the Miyota 9075 so only time will tell.

·
varkdriver

I have a 1986 GMT Master II and the Lorier Hyperion with the 9075. Functionally and from a "feel" standpoint (using the stem), the 9075 is every bit the equal of the Rolex. Of course the Rolex has served me well for 37 years and the jury is out on the Miyota 9075 so only time will tell.

And I just paid twice as much to get the Rolex serviced than I paid for the Lorier!