Introduction
The primary function of a robust watch is to tell time, which a quality watch does without flaw. The horological world never rests and is constantly finding ways to integrate new sophisticated complications like the Flyer GMT. However, for enthusiasts looking for something beyond just the GMT, features such as advanced diving capabilities, discreetly hidden alarms, or even dormant mechanisms are available on select models. This guide takes a closer look at what we like to call “GMT Plus” watches and presents five astonishing timepieces that surpass the hallmark dual-time functionalities.
- Ball Roadmaster M Model A
Founded in 1891, Ball Watch Company has always been a pioneer in the field of precision and ruggedness. The Roadmaster M Model A embodies the company’s legacy of ingenuity and reliability. It is made from 904L stainless steel, which is known for its great resistance against corrosion and exceptional polish. Like other Ball Watches, the Roadmaster M Model A also guarantees extreme durability and offers superb scaling. The Ball Watch company uses gas-tube technology and as such, this wristwatch offers ballistic grade tritium micro tubes for unparalleled visibility during the dark, ensuring constant illumination on flight decks irrespective of external triggers.
This wristwatch integrates the GMT feature and a mechanical alarm into its Ball RM7379 automatic movement, boasting an impressive 80-hour power reserve. Its bold look is characterized by a multi-layered black dial with red highlights and a bi-directional black and red bezel revealing a second time zone. This watch is limited to 333 pieces globally, signifying true exclusivity and resilience.
Key Specifications:
Case: 41mm x 15.2mm in 904L stainless steel
Shock resistance: 5000g
Movement: Automatic calibre BALL RM7379
Limited Edition: 333 units
Price: 6,299 USD
- Longines HydroConquest GMT
Longines has been synonymous with precision since 1832 and now adds GMT functionality to its HydroConquest line for travelers and professional divers. The HydroConquest GMT showcases superb engineering with a sturdy stainless steel case and an attractive ceramic diving bezel with accurate 60-minute markings.
Like any self-respecting dive watch, this GMT model is water-resistant to 300 meters, ensuring reliability in extreme conditions. The sunray-brushed green dial with highlighted hands and markers filled with Super-LumiNova provides excellent underwater visibility. Its automatic movement, the caliber L844.5, features a silicon hairspring, improving its precision as well as its resistance to magnetic fields.
Key Specifications:
Case: 41mm x 12.9mm stainless steel
Water Resistance: 300m
Movement: Calibre L844.5 automatic
Power reserve: 72 hours
Pricing: EUR 2950 (NATO strap), EUR 3300 (bracelet)
- Parmigiani Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante Verzasca Green
The Parmigiani Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante maintains sleek aesthetic lines while offering subtle practicality. The artistry of the case conceals the GMT complication—users can either hide or show the second-time zone with on-demand ease. The striking Verzasca Green dial is decorated with a thin grain d’orge guilloché which is framed by a platinum bezel, showcasing the piece’s understated opulence.
Using a micro-rotor, Parmigiani flawlessly engineered the automatic calibre PF051 movement. The watch incorporates the best of exquisite artistry, reliability and contemporary design making it hard for collectors to resist.
Key Features:
Case: 40mm stainless steel with a platinum bezel
Movement: Calibre PF051 automatic, micro-rotor
Power reserve: 38 hours
Price: CHF 28,700
- De Bethune DB25GMT Starry Varius
De Bethune is popular with collectors for its hand-crafted style in high watchmaking, which is beautifully expressed in their DB25GMT Starry Varius. Its beautiful dial made of heat-blued titanium depicts the Milky Way, adding lyrical elegance to a timepiece. The GMT indicator is also spherical and has a distinct daytime and nighttime itinerary.
This timepiece uses the in-house DB2507 manual winding calibre. With it, this watch has a power reserve of 120 hours, an outstanding figure. Moreover, the case remains refined, intricate, and innovative due to the rose gold 18k polished case with its lugs that are hollowed out. The DB2507 is exclusively crafted and showcases the highest form of artistic watchmaking seamlessly blended with mechanical mastery.
Key Specifications:
Case: 42mm polished 18k rose gold
Movement: Calibre DB2507 manual winding
Power reserve: 120 hrs
Price: Upon request
- Bremont Altitude Perpetual Calendar GMT Mono-Pusher
British brand Bremont foreshadows the Altitude Perpetual Calendar GMT Mono-Pusher with a blend of aviation history and contemporary know-how. The watch’s Trip-Tick case in grade 2 titanium features a GMT globe indicator on the exclusive RAF blue dial, showcasing perpetual calendar functions on sub-dials. The case’s titanium offers a lightweight yet strong protective enclosure.
Bremont.watch
Along with the exclusive RAF blue dial comes a GMT globe indicator that seamlessly integrates the perpetual calendar functions. The watch’s accuracy is fortified by the proprietary calibre BHC9192.MH, a Sellita-based movement integrated with a perpetual calendar module crafted by Agenhor. Only 50 pieces of this watch were made, marking it as the epitome of British creativity, mechanics, and style.
Primary Highlights:
Case: 42mm Grade 2 Titanium
Movement: Automatic Calibre BHC9192.MH
Power Reserve: 50 hours
Limited Edition: 50 pieces
Selling Price: GBP 29,800
Industry Insights & Trends
Flyer GMT watches are at the forefront of demand for sophisticated multifunctional timepieces which are easy to use for traveling, as well as appealing to corporate executives, and travelers. Watches with multiple practical complications are steadily trending upwards in the mechanical watch market. Parmigiani and De Bethune mark the shift towards stealth luxury—functionality that blends with an understated appearance and high-end design.
Sales in the luxury watch segment are on the rise. Particularly, products with sophisticated movements, advanced materials, and high attention to detail are targeted towards more discerning clientele.
Conclusion
Tailored to different preferences and needs, these five timepieces feature unrivaled GMT functionality alongside remarkable supplementary features. While some focus on ruggedness, diving performance, understated opulence, masterful artisanal work, or intricate mechanics, these watches showcase the advancement of GMT complications.