GMT Watches Explained: The Traveler’s Ultimate Timepiece for Style and Function

More Than Just Time

While our phones may offer instant global time, there's a mechanical marvel that has long been the trusted companion of travelers: the GMT watch. 

These aren't just watches; they're horological nods to a more connected world, blending history, function, and undeniable style. From the seasoned collector to the first-time buyer, understanding the world of GMT watches is a journey in itself. 

Lets Start With The Foundation: What is Greenwich Mean Time?

GMT stands for Greenwich Mean Time. Now if you thought Greenwich was the famous country best know their sandwiches and green smoothies, you’d not only be wrong, but you’d be terrible at geography. 

Greenwich Mean Time, is the local time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London. In 1884 it was established as the international time standard during the International Meridian Conference. Today time is maintained by atomic clocks, but the concept of GMT is still the backbone for the watch complication.  

The Complication: How a GMT Watch Works

Unlike typical watches that have three hands (hour, minute, second). A GMT watch features an additional fourth hand. Usually the fourth hand is brightly colored as to separate itself from the watch, and make it easier to tell the time. This extra hand operates on a 24-hour scale, usually marked on the watch's dial or a rotating bezel. That hand completes one full rotation every 24 hours. The rotating bezel (that it’s usually accompanied with), is often bidirectional and allows the wearer to track a third time zone. 

Some watches, known as "True" or "Traveler" GMTs, allow the main hour hand to be adjusted independently in one-hour increments. The makes it extremely convenient for frequent travelers across time zones.  

The Downside? 

A couple of the drawbacks to a GMT timepiece include its complexity and the lack of it being a necessary function. It’s probably easier to pull out your phone to check the time in another time zone. Especially when most phones update automatically when switching time zones. However, if you’re wearing a wristwatch and you’re not spelunking in the Yucatan or diving in the Great Barrier Reef. Necessity is not something driving your buying decisions. So, whether you're a seasoned collector or a newcomer, exploring the world of GMT watches is well worth your time. Find one that speaks to where you’re headed, and don’t forget to set the time.

Final Thoughts

So, do you need a GMT watch? Maybe not in the age of smart everything and AI-generated itineraries—but if you’re even considering one, chances are you already know the answer. GMT watches offer more than just an extra hand on the dial. They’re symbols of curiosity, of movement, of someone who’s got one foot on the jetway and the other in a meeting across the world. They say something. About you, your taste, and maybe your affinity for mechanical problem-solving over digital shortcuts.

Whether you lean toward the rugged practicality of a Tissot Seastar or the refined presence of a Longines HydroConquest GMT, there’s something satisfying about tracking another time zone from your wrist. Not because you have to—but because you can.

Shop This Article