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What is a GMT Watch & Why Do They Matter?
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Alongside the classic date window and ever-popular chronograph, the GMT complication is one of the most common features in modern watchmaking. But let’s be honest, if you’re new to watches, the term “GMT” might sound more like something from a flight schedule than a function to have on your wrist.
So, what is a GMT watch, really? Why do watchmakers keep putting them out? And do you actually need one?
This guide is for anyone who’s ever looked at a fourth hand on a dial and thought, “Cool… but what does that do?” We’ll break down the concept, explain how GMT watches work, how to set them, and whether or not they’re right for you.
You’ll leave knowing exactly what a GMT is and how to read one, and maybe – just maybe – tempt you into adding this cool complication into your own watch collection.
What is a GMT Watch?
A GMT watch is designed to display multiple time zones at once. Sometimes it displays two, but in other cases it can show three all at once. The “GMT” stands for Greenwich Mean Time, the time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, which once served as the baseline for all global time zones.
These watches usually have an extra hand, often arrow-tipped and brightly colored so that it stands out against the rest of the hardware, that completes one full rotation every 24 hours.
This hand points to a second time zone, which is read either off a 24-hour scale on the dial or, more commonly, on a rotating 24-hour bezel. That means you can track your local time with the standard hour and minute hands, while simultaneously keeping an eye on the time in another part of the world.
What began as a tool for pilots flying long-haul routes has become a favorite among frequent flyers, business professionals, and anyone who wants to stay connected across time zones.
How Do GMT Watches Work?
At the heart of a GMT watch is that distinctive 24-hour hand. Unlike the standard hour hand that circles the dial twice a day, the GMT hand takes 24 hours to make a full loop. This hand references a 24-hour scale, which can either be printed directly on the dial or located on a rotating bezel.
Most GMT watches allow you to set this hand independently from the main hour and minute hands. That means you can set the GMT hand to your home time while adjusting the regular hands to local time when you travel, or vice versa, depending on how you prefer to use it.
Some models also feature a rotating bezel, which you can twist to reflect a third time zone. By aligning the bezel with the GMT hand, you unlock the ability to track another location which is handy for international business calls or planning travel across continents.
What’s the Difference Between an Office GMT & a True GMT?
Just to make things a little more complicated, not all GMT watches work the same way. There are actually a couple of different types out there, and over time, they’ve picked up their own nicknames.
A True GMT, also sometimes called a Flyer GMT, is geared toward travelers. In this style, the local hour hand moves independently, so when you land in a new time zone, you can adjust your local time without touching the GMT hand. It’s a seamless way to hop across borders without losing track of your home base.
An Office GMT, or Caller GMT, is better suited to people who don’t travel as much but want to keep an eye on another time zone. In this version, it’s the GMT hand that you can set independently. This one is perfect for scheduling calls or checking in with someone in another part of the world.
Neither is better or worse; they’re just built for different needs. One helps you change time zones on the fly while the other helps you stay connected to one while staying put.
How Do I Set My GMT Watch?
Setting a GMT watch can feel a little confusing at first, but once you’ve done it a couple of times, it becomes second nature. And trust us, it’s far more satisfying than fumbling with a phone and Googling “what’s the time in…” every time you need to know.
Since there are two main types of GMT watches, how you set them depends on which version you’re wearing.
Setting a True GMT
In this configuration, the local hour hand can be adjusted independently of the minute and GMT hands. To set it, you start by pulling the crown out to the second position and setting the time as usual. This will move the hour, minute, and GMT hands together. Once you’ve done that, push the crown back to the first position.
From there, turning the crown will “jump” the local hour hand forward or backward in one-hour increments, without affecting the other hands. This makes it incredibly convenient when crossing time zones, because your watch continues keeping precise time even as you update the local hour hand to reflect your new location. The 24-hour GMT hand will instead stay locked on your chosen reference time, usually your home time, so you always have that second zone visible at a glance.
Some Flyer GMT watches also include a rotating 24-hour bezel, which allows you to track a third time zone temporarily. You simply rotate the bezel to offset the GMT hand to another time zone without touching any of the hands.
Setting an Office GMT
An Office GMT, or Caller GMT, takes a different approach. Here, it’s the 24-hour GMT hand that can be adjusted independently, while the hour and minute hands move together. This setup is particularly useful if you’re staying put but need to monitor another time zone, like if you’re keeping track of colleagues overseas or staying in sync with family in another part of the world.
To set an Office GMT, you begin by pulling the crown to the second position and setting your local time, which moves the hour and minute hands. Then, depending on the watch, you move the crown to the first or third position to adjust the GMT hand separately. This hand is set to whatever second time zone you want to track and points to a 24-hour scale, either on the dial or on a fixed or rotating bezel.
If your watch includes a rotating bezel, you can use that to track a third time zone as well. Rotating the bezel offsets the GMT hand’s position against the 24-hour scale, giving you another quick reference point without needing to reset anything.
Who Should Choose GMT Watches?
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Historically, GMT watches were typically reserved for pilots. Which makes sense, since these professionals are constantly jumping over time zones. But thankfully, the GMT complication isn’t just for aviators anymore.
If you frequently travel for work or leisure, they’re incredibly practical. Adjusting to local time while keeping an eye on your home base becomes effortless. Even if you don’t travel often, a GMT is great for staying synced with friends or family abroad, following international markets, or just indulging your inner horology nerd.
Plus, GMT watches just look cool. That extra hand and often colorful bezel add a bit of flair that many collectors love. And unlike some complications that require a master’s degree to understand, GMT functionality is surprisingly user-friendly once you grasp the basics.
Conclusion
GMT watches may have started life as tools for pilots and world travelers, but today they’re much more than that. They represent a unique mix of function and form, a practical feature wrapped in the design language of sporty elegance or tool-watch charm.
By using an additional 24-hour hand and, often, a rotating bezel, GMTs allow you to track time across the globe without losing sight of home. Whether you go with a true GMT for jet-setting or an office GMT for staying in touch across time zones, the added utility is something you’ll find yourself using more than expected.
And while your smartphone can do it all, there’s something effortlessly beautiful about glancing at your wrist and instantly knowing the hour in Florence, New York, or Geneva without the need for apps or swiping. So, if you’re tempted, we suggest not hesitating to add the GMT complication to your own watch collection. There are plenty of incredible models out there just waiting to join you on international adventures.
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