A History and Guide to GMT Watches – Windup Watch Shop

With the GMT’s main functionality built into the watch’s movement, designers are free to incorporate the function into a litany of styles. Many GMT watches feature a bezel. Some use an additional 24-hour scale so that a third timezone can be tracked; others substitute it for an elapsed time bezel for the romantic scenario of diving on holiday. Other watches forgo the bezel entirely, instead subtly adding the additional hand for those conducting business across the world.

Rolex’s GMT Master has remained an icon of the genre for seven decades. In recent years, the complication has taken on even greater significance with the introduction of new movements that have effectively democratized the once-premium complication. Seiko and Citizen have launched caller and traveler movements that smaller brands have eagerly begun to use in their own globetrotting timepieces. From Elliot Brown’s Holton Auto GMT to Bulova’s Oceanographer GMT, the GMT has entered its second golden age.

Whichever form you decide on, the GMT is a worthy companion for life’s adventures. Each has its own merits depending on the intended use case. From traditional pilot’s watches to hybrid dive GMTs to subtle dress watches, there’s a GMT for everyone. All that’s left is to decide on the journeys to come.

For a closer look at some of our favorite travel and GMT watches, check out the GMT collection in the Windup Watch Shop. As always, the Windup Watch Team is available via consultation to answer any questions you have. In addition, all of these products are eligible for free domestic shipping across the US.