A well selected GMT watch belongs in every gentleman’s collection, as it is most certainly a classic, timeless piece. GMT watches are suitable for a variety of events and activities, and therefore serve as the ideal wristwatch and travel companion for the modern explorer and international businessman.
Selecting the perfect GMT watch under $2,000 is an exciting undertaking, as it is a substantial budget providing access to a wide array of options.
Join us for an overview of the best pieces, all of which are certain to last the test of time in terms of both design and craftsmanship.
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Hamilton Khaki Aviation Converter GMT
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: H-14
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 44 mm
- Lug Width: 22 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
The Khaki Aviation Converter GMT makes traveling around the world a pice of cake, as far as keeping track of time zones is concerned. A rotating slide-rule bezel translates units in both directions, and the GMT function assures you won’t be late to your engagements. This elegant 44mm pilot’s watch will take you from the cockpit (or the passenger cabin) to the conference room in style, all that with an 80-hour battery reserve thanks to the reliable H-14 movement, which is a modified ETA movement.
Laco Frankfurt GMT
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Laco 330 (SW 330-2 base)
- Power Reserve 56 hours
- Case Width: 43 mm
- Price: Under $2,000
When you hear the brand name Laco, you instantly think of the oldschool pilot watches, AKA the flieger timepieces. While we absolutely love those classic designs, we wanted to show you something special; the Laco Frankfurt GMT.
The inner rotating bezel can be adjusted with the second crown, and the dial itself is mesmerizingly classy. It is not overcrowded, Arabic numeral are used for the 3, and 9 hours, the 6 o’clock position has the date window, and the 12 o’clock position has the classic pilot watch motive, the triangle with the two dots providing excellent visibility. The Alpha hour and minute hands make sure the center of the dial doesn’t feel empty, and the GMT hand’s orange arrow tip brings an exciting dynamism to the overall look.
Hamilton Broadway GMT | Limited Edition
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: H-14
- Power Reserve: 80 hours
- Case Width: 46 mm
- Lug Width: 22 mm
- Water Resistance: 50 m
The limited edition 46 mm Broadway GMT is the ideal travel companion for well-dressed gentlemen who prefer to travel in elegance. The distinctive new H-14 automatic movement has a power reserve of up to 80 hours, and the elegant ceramic bezel displays 24 exotic locations. We imagine The Broadway GMT is best suited to achieve that urban-elegant look, worn by busy jet setting businessmen.
Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT World Timer
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Soprod C125
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
Zodiac is a popular brand, and their Super Sea Wolf collection is the most popular, and rightly so. We’re featuring the Zodiac Super Sea Wolf GMT World timer here due to its evergreen classic design combined with modern elements. Gray dial with wide baton hour and minute hands, combined with a vibrant red GMT hand – these elements create a very robust, masculine look. The 24-hour scale for the GMT functionality is part of the dial, and the adjustable bezel has major cities displayed so you can accurately track the time at your current location and at your home time zone as well. The watch is equipped with the reliable Swiss Soprod C125 automatic movement, providing around 42 hours of power reserve.
YEMA Superman 500 GMT
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: YEMA3000
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 39 mm or 41 mm
- Lug Width: 19 mm or 20 mm
- Water Resistance: 500 m
The Yema Superman 500 GMT comes with Yema’s in-house movement: the Yema3000 caliber is a 29-jewel movement, providing a 42-hour power reserve. The original design from the 1960’s evolved into today’s form, while maintaining a professional dive watch appearance. Apart from the in-house automatic movement, the 500 meters water resistance is a feature we need to call out as an impressive improvement. Overall, a very classy design with impressive features. Our personal favorite detail is the choice of brown on the bezel — a color that’s rarely used, and provides understated elegance that we absolutely love.
BALL Engineer Master II Diver
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: BALL RR1201
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 42 mm
- Lug Width: 20 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 m
BALL watches are usually very durable, and the BALL Engineer Master II Diver is no exception. The stainless steel case is coated with black DLC. DLC, or “Diamond Like Carbon” is a coating applied to the surface of the case using a multi-stage state of the art process, making the surface highly resistant against scratches and other potential damages. The black color of the case gives this timepiece a very no-nonse look. The white hour markers and hands make readability a breeze, and the GMT feature is highlighted with a deeper yellow, making the overall look that much more dynamic and eye-catching.
Oris Aquis GMT
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Oris 798 (base SW 330-1)
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Case Width: 43.5 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 m
The Oris Aquis GMT is a sporty option for the dedicated adventure seekers out there. We love the understated elegance of the dark blue dial combined with the rugged outdoorsy look of the silicone strap. The deep black color of the bezel pulls it all together just perfectly.
Shinola The Monster GMT
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: Selita SW330-01
- Power Reserve: 50 hours
- Case Width: 40 mm
- Water Resistance: 100 m
Shinola recently came out with their first GMT watch, the Monster GMT. The 40 mm case width is perfect for all wrist sizes and the traditional dive watch design is paired to perfection with the classic Shinola numerals. These white numerals are very visible against the blue dial and the same color combination is found on the bezel with slightly slimmer numbers for the GMT functionality, keeping the visual focus on the dial itself. The reliable Sellita automatic movement provides a 50-hour power reserve.
WRITTEN BY
Maté D
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