How useful is a GMT, really?

For me it's not useful at all (but cool nonetheless).  That said, I'm sure there are people who have a very good use case for their mechanical wristwatch knowing multiple timezones.

I am located in the US, my family live in Europe. I use the GMT function to track their time. To I need that feature? No, but I in a wired way I feel more connected to them by tracking their local time.

It is a nice feature when traveling but that is not the main reason for me. I actually like a no-date three hander better for travel.

I own 4 watches with GMT functions.  The GMT function is completely and utterly useless to me.   Here's my trying to use the function:

• Squint at the GMT hand to make out that it's pointing at just past 19
• Which, means, uh...  okay...  23 - 12 is...  uh...  let me get my calculator, which is on my phone...  
• Oh, look, if I click on the clock app, it tells me that it's 11pm in London.  Don't call.  Okay.

Don't even get me started on how confused I get if the GMT bezel rotates, enabling tracking (getting confused about) 3 time zones!

But, the GMT hands and the 24 hour bezels look awesome!  Absolutely one of my favorite complications!

If I were in Earth orbit or deep in the recesses of a cave for days at a time and could get disoriented about whether it is day or night in a particular reference location, I would probably find it useful.

For me on Earth and not in a deep, dark cave, my local time +/- the number of hours I know it is different to some other time zone is easier to figure out than to find the GMT hand, then subtract 12 if it is afternoon.

I find a 60 minute dive bezel more useful than a GMT function

It's nice if you have friends or family in other time zones. Not necessarily for the obvious reasons, like you want to call or text them, but you tend to think of them more often when you glance down at your watch and notice that second time zone. A non-GMT watch with a 12 hour rotating bezel can easily serve the same purpose, too.

I personally use my gmt watches quite alot actually and find it of great value in my profession. I often have to track local and zulu times with occasionally needing to track a third timezone. I also find it very convenient to use the 24 hour hand for orientation and navigation purposes. 

I suppose that I'm probably in the minority in my use cases but having the chance to use my watches in the tool capacities that they are designed for is very rewarding.

Same I use it constantly for timing cooking, travel, when to take the puppy out, etc. etc.  Honestly I don’t need a chronograph 

I am back to traveling for work more these days now that Covid restrictions are opening up (let's see how long that lasts.)  But when I am on the road, I tend to reach for my GMT, it does come in handy.  This GMT hand is not on a 24 hour scale, it is on a 12 hour scale so no math required! 😉

You make a very good point but the smart alec in me can't leave this be 19 is 7pm not 11pm ok um ackchually moment over now :)

I live in Chicago and have family in Chicago.  So I do not NEED to track another time zone by any means.  BUT - the jumping hour hand could not be more useful when I'm on vacation in Florida or California, etc. This functionality is amazing for a quick change of the local time.  I usually keep my GMT hand on London time simply for admiration.  I do, however, use the bi-directional bezel quite a lot when cooking or when I've parked on the busy streets of Chicago. 
So - am I flying a plane across 5 time zones and do I need to track 2 zones at once? 
No, but I have sincerely enjoyed having a GMT on hand for the past few years (I own 2... a Tudor GMT and Rolex GMT Master II).

Ha!  Good catch!

That's why I can't use a GMT!!!

Thanks for articulating what I was trying to convey better.

"you tend to think of them more often when you glance down at your watch and notice that second time zone"

That is exactly what a GMT do for me on a daily basis.

I could use it, since 80% of my contacts are in IST. The problem is that many adjusted their schedules to maximize the overlap with EST, so that I'm still not sure when to call. 

beauty of a watch! 

I don't even know how useful knowing five timezones is but my watch can do it and it was 20 bucks at Walmart. I guess I can use it to track if my friends in Europe and Asia are awake and what time F1 races will start lol

the tracking a 2nd time zone is nice and all but one just knows the hr differences any way.

the jumping hour hand however 

cool

I get what you’re saying. I went to Hawaii last month, which was a five hour time difference.  I was going to have to work some. I said to myself, “This may be one of the few times you can legitimately use a GMT.”  Therefore, I bought one, as not to miss out on the opportunity. 
 

I’ve since bought a second one. Was it useful to me in Hawaii?  Yes.  Is it useful to me now?  No.  But is it cool and do I like it?  Yes. 
 

Get one 👍

Best GMT ever

12 hour bezel is enough for me! That is why I really love the Tudor Heritage Chrono, water resistance, chrono and 12 hour hand. People might diss the screw-down pushers but there are two solutions: leave them unscrewed and screw them in when you are near water or unscrew them when you need them! Adapt it to your lifestyle!

Is a GMT function on a mechanical watch useful? Yes

Is it woefully antiquated? Yes. Yet that‘s part of the charm, no?

I use it all the time for work as I live in the UK for an Australian company. I think people use the GMT function way more than a chrono feature which seems an obviously fussy aspect on a watch and just an excuse to jazz up a dial with sub-dials.

I have clients across the U.S. and friends in Europe. It’s useful when I set the bezel when I have to make a call. When I traveled more, the jumping hour hand was great. Like any tool, it’s how much you want to use it. 

I agree with your thoughts. I don’t travel much except the odd holiday and I don’t have family living in different time zones. however like pretty much every complication, realistiically it is about appreciating the engineering and watch making, not really practicalities….. think moon phase watches etc

I'm a sucker for wearing certain watches for certain things, it makes me feel connected to whatever it is im getting into; When I board a flight, I'm either wearing an over complicated flight watch or my GMT - If i'm near even a puddle, I don my divers and on a saturday when I'm running errands with my kids in my finest windbreakers, I strap on a resin Casio because it reminds me of my dad running errands with me in the 90s.

Having said that, I love a good GMT and they can be super useful depending on what you do. 

Maybe you just want one to wear when you travel because it's in the spirit of travel, or maybe you use one for work the way I do. I have clients all over the world and when I know I'll be on and off with my collegues in the U.K., it's actually quite handy to glance at my wrist and know whats crackin' in London.

This is one of my favorites! It's also quite practical if you have contacts around the world - I've employed this bad boy for many a busy day, great suggestion!

I like the idea of a GMT as I have vendors, project resources, and family in other times zones. However, I have to admit that when I owned a GMT my default reaction was to pick up my phone and say 'Siri, what time is it in <insert location>?'. 

I thought fine I'll use it when I travel but I don't typically travel for work anymore and when on vacation I like to set my 3 hander to the local time, pretend I live there, and forget about what's going on back home.

Having said all that I think the GMT complication is cool I also think the Chronograph complication is cool but in all honestly I've never really made use of the Chronograph feature on a watch either. 

I have used a dive watch bezel from time to time for things like knowing when to flip the steaks on the grill. 

Quite useful for me, I work (from home) on a different timezone to where I live as the company is based overseas. Sometimes when I have to quickly run out for an errand, it's good to be able to monitor the timezone I'm working on (am I gonna be late to a meeting for example). And yes, I could always just do the timezone math in my head, but having the convenience of just being able to glance at my wrist and see it is cool. 

My GMT of choice in a Timex Waterbury GMT (I switched out the factory strap for a jubilee-style bracelet), where I set the GMT hand to my work-timezone and tell the time on the rotating bezel.

I travel often and use my GMT a lot while traveling.  (I keep my GMT set to home time).  However, after I bought a watch with a GMT function, I discovered 12 hour bezels and find those to be easier to quickly read a 2nd time zone. 

Only just slightly more useful than a dive watch for 99% of us haha.  I mean how useful is a watch if you carry a smartphone or as you mentioned auto vs quartz :).  

I like GMTs though.  Its an interesting complication and handled differently depending on watch model manufacturer. When I travel I'll almost always try to take at least one watch with a GMT or something with a dual time bezel or dual time function. But let's be honest I can always glance at my phone if I need another time zone. But it's nice preset your watch while you travel.  Also good if you have a family member who is traveling or living eslewhere.

If you're on Watch Crunch though I think you already have enough reason to be interested in a GMT, so bank account allowing just do it. 

That said if you're more interested in a Jubilee...no reason just to buy a bracelet for an already owned watch.  They really are comfortable and eyecatching.