If you’ve ever shopped online for a watch, chances are you’ve come across the term GMT. This stands for Greenwich Mean Time, but a GMT watch generally refers to a timepiece that can display two different time zones at once. Hence, they are also known as dual-time watches. Whether you’re a frequent flyer or simply appreciate the functionality of tracking multiple time zones, a GMT watch is a handy timekeeper to own.
Purpose of a GMT Watch
GMT watches were originally developed to help pilots keep track of both local and home time during long-haul flights, providing them with an easy reference tool right on their wrist. But over time, they’ve gained popularity among casual watch wearers for their practical and stylish design. Today, GMT watches are favored by anyone needing to manage two time zones simultaneously, such as military personnel, frequent business travelers, and globetrotters who want to keep track of time back home while exploring the world. (They also have the added benefit of giving you one less reason to reach for your phone to check the time while you're on the move!)
Understanding the Bezel on a GMT Watch
Most GMT watches have a two-tone colored bezel with a 24-hour index indicating the 24 hours in a day. This colored bezel is one of the most iconic features of a GMT, and helps you distinguish between daytime and nighttime hours in the second time zone you’re tracking.
Take a look at our Waterbury Traditional GMT, for example. It has a blue and black bezel, with blue indicating daytime hours and black indicating nighttime:
What is the GMT Hand?
You probably also noticed a bright blue 4th hand on our Waterbury Traditional GMT—this is called the GMT hand. In addition to its primary hour hand, which is usually set according to your current location and completes a full rotation twice every 24 hours, a GMT watch has an additional hand known as a GMT hand. The GMT hand points to the hour in the GMT time zone you’re tracking and makes only one full rotation every 24 hours.
How to Set & Read Your GMT Watch
To read both your local time and a second time zone, you can set the GMT hand by adjusting it separately from the main hour hand. This varies from watch to watch but can usually be done by pulling the crown to the first position to move the GMT hand in one direction and set the date in the other.
A common approach is to align the GMT hand with your home time zone and then synchronize the main hands with the local time of the place you’re traveling to. This makes it easy to quickly read your home time, but how you choose to set your GMT watch is ultimately up to you.
The Two Types of GMT Watches
GMT watches come in two types: the 'office' or 'caller' GMT and the 'true' or 'traveler's' GMT. Both offer the ability to track two time zones, but differ slightly in their functionality.
What is a Caller/Office GMT?
On an office GMT, the 24-hour GMT hand can be adjusted independently of the hour hand. This type of watch is ideal for people who want to track a second time zone but don’t need to change their local time often. It's often used by office workers who call different time zones, hence the name. In this particular GMT, the local hour hand is linked to the movement and usually changes only when you reset the time.
What is a True GMT (Travel GMT)?
In a true GMT, the hour hand can be adjusted independently from the minute hand. This lets you switch to a new time zone without stopping the movement, while the 24-hour hand continues to track your home time.
The main benefit of a 'true' GMT is that it allows you to seamlessly track two time zones without disrupting the primary time display. This makes them particularly useful for travelers—such as flight attendants, pilots, or digital nomads—who regularly cross time zones and may need to adjust their local time more frequently than most.
Why GMT Watches are Popular
GMT watches are popular in the watch scene because they give you the best of both words: practicality and style. Their bezels come in a wide spectrum of color combos, with popular choices including black and blue, red and blue, or even bold contrasts like black and orange. So, not only do they provide a simple way to know what time it is in different corners of the world, but they add a sophisticated—and sometimes playful—element to your look.
EXPLORE TIMEX GMT WATCHES:
We've suggested a few of our favorites below, but feel free to browse our collection of Timex GMT watches if you're interested in adding a GMT to your watch collection.
KEY TAKEAWAY:
With the power to track two time zones at once, GMT watches redefine convenience and functionality in timekeeping. They’re simple to set and read, and they make a nice fashion statement thanks to their two-toned bezels. But most of all, GMT watches are extremely handy—whether you travel often or want to stay in sync with loved ones living across the globe, these dual-time watches make it easy to do so.
