Types of GMT
I have seen a lot of watches labeled as GMT, and have some idea of the delineation. I am also wondering whether these types have names, and whether I'm missing some categories. So, here we go:
- Most common seem to be diver-style watches with an additional 24h-hand with the 24h-markers on the bezel, as in the first image.
- Typically dressier watches with the 24h markers on the dial itself. But there are also hybrids, i.e. diver style watches with a normal diver bezel and 24h markers on the dial.
- Chronograph-style watches with a separate 24 subdial (sometimes only 12h).
- A rare variation is when there is no extra hour-hand, but instead the 24h-dial is movable
- And there are mystifying ones, e.g.
this was listed as a GMT, it has a 24h dial, but where the heck is the second hour-hand? How is this going to work as a GMT? I suspect it does not? - Obviously, with digital/quartz watches there are further ways to provide a GMT function...
Are there names for these subtypes? Have I messed up the categories? Have I missed important types of GMT?
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Balthazar
UK-based German expat. Likes cheap watches. Not bothered about brands.
Member since
Last active: 1 hr ago
You have a "World Timer" which uses that 24 hour "movable dial" as you describe above. Usually this is a rotating outer ring that goes around once per day. The hours on the ring align with the current time with a major city in each time zone that are printed on the bezel.
Not sure what you would call this one. Perhaps generically a "Travel Watch". It has a two separate time indicators one for "home time" (the small one) and one for "local time" (the big one). Each has a day/night indicator so you know whether you're in AM/PM on each.
Another thing I'd like to point out. On your standard "GMT" watch, a lot of the time you will see the bezel split into 2 colors like shown on the Tudor below. This two color split is to delineate night and day. If you notice the bottom 1/2 is 6am to 6pm (day) and top half is 6pm to 6am (night).