Review of my Strat-o-timer GMT (in Espresso)

Let me start by saying that from the day that I unboxed this watch, the rest of my collection has seen very little wrist time. I have been wearing this watch about 90% of the past 4 months and have become very, very familiar with it.

Okay, so I originally found this watch from reading about it online. I had been very interested in the Miyota 9075 since it had been rumored and then I saw that Jack Mason was working on a watch that featured the movement (they made a bunch of youtube videos about that process if you’re interested). Truth be told, I was instantly hooked because as I learned more about the brand I found out that they were located not too far from where I live. Now, it was not that alone that sold me, as I had already been interested in the new movement, but the desire to support the local brand definitely helped make that connection even stronger.

When the watch was originally available for pre-order there were 3 color variants to choose from and I was instantly drawn to the Espresso version because I felt as if it would fit into the very neutral color palette of my closet, haha. So, I placed an order and tried my best to forget that I had to wait a while before I’d actually get my hands on it. Fast forward to getting the watch a few months later.

When I unboxed this watch I was blown away. I could tell that this thing was quality just from the quick glances while peeling off the protective plastics. Then once it was finally unveiled properly and in my hand… I was confident I had made a great choice. The level of finish on this watch is far beyond the other watches in my collection of a similar value. It has a weight that feels appropriate to its scale visually when held or worn. And the bracelet is incredibly comfortable as far as bracelets go.

The level of detail is impressive and I continue to find new things to appreciate. Some of my favorite details on this watch include the subtle curve of the side of the case, the way the edge of the boxed sapphire crystal falls adjacent to the sapphire bezel, and the how the bezel grip plays with light because of the way the notches are polished on the inside. There’s plenty of other parts of this watch to fall in love with, but those are definitely some of my favorite.

Now, the movement. This is what I was originally interested in, after all. I’ve always loved the functionality of the GMT Master II, but to be quite honest, I’ve never had the desire to own a Rolex. So, when the 9075 was rumored about, I was determined to buy what I believed to be the best early version. Well, now that I have spent some time with it. I can say that it’s definitely a movement worth checking out for yourself. The jumping hour hand has been extremely convenient and functional during my travels. This Jack Mason was regulated in the USA and runs at -2spd. More than accurate enough for my liking. I haven’t had any issues so far.

It’s been a wonderful couple of months with this thing on the wrist, and I’m looking forward to many more. Excited for what Jack Mason might have in store for the future.