Five of the best GMT watches released in 2022
Ricardo SimeThis year marked an opening of sorts for the world. Because after two years of being stuck at home, travelling became a thing again. And watch brands took full advantage of this, as large fairs returned and people started attending more meet ups. Their timepieces also reflected an increase in travel, as 2022 saw a plethora of GMT watches released. Here are my five best GMT watches from 2022 that had us primed and ready to hit the road again.
Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante
As the Time+Tide team entered Parmigiani Fleurier’s bright booth at Watches and Wonders, we immediately gravitated to the Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante. Here was a GMT watch that initially seemed like it was just time only. But then you press the button on the side of the case between 7 and 8 o’clock, and the hour hand splits. This leaves you with a golden home hour hand below and a silver local hour hand above.
A peekaboo GMT.
The idea of maintaining a clean, two hand design while home, with the option of turning on a GMT when travelling really blew us away. It’s a practical and innovative way to approach the complication and definitely deserves a spot on this list.
| Brand | Parmigiani Fleurier |
| Model | Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Case Dimensions | 40mm x 10.7mm |
| Water-Resistance | 60m |
| Dials | Blue Grain d’Orge guilloché |
| Strap | Bracelet |
| Movement | PF051 |
| Power Reserve | 48 Hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, GMT |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | CHF 26,000.00 |
Seiko 5 Sports GMT
The moment Seiko decided to redesign its storied, foundational Seiko 5 collection, we all wondered: “When will we see the GMT?”.
This year, the brand took the watch world by storm with its travelling option. Colourful, vibrant and reasonably sized at 42,5mm, the watch is a great sporty GMT with the ability to track three timezones at once. And though some may lament the lack of true GMT function, these Seikos still provide a great GMT option under $500.
| Brand | Seiko |
| Model | SSK001 |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Case Dimensions | 42.5mm |
| Water-Resistance | 100m |
| Dials | Black Sunburst |
| Strap | Jubilee style Bracelet |
| Movement | 4R34 |
| Power Reserve | 41 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, Three timezone GMT |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$475.00 |
Black Bay Pro GMT
Sometimes a watch brand doesn’t give us the watch we want but the watch we need. That’s exactly what happened with the Black Bay Pro GMT.
Many fans of the brand had been waiting for a smaller, more compact follow-up to the pepsi Black Bay GMT. Instead, this year we got the Pro. It delivered a toolish, versatile 39mm watch that ended up attracting even more collectors. Add to that the bracelet fitted with the T-Fit clasp, and this Tudor easily makes the list of best GMT watches of 2022.
| Brand | Tudor |
| Model | Black Bay Pro |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm x 47mm x 14.6mm |
| Water-Resistance | 200m |
| Dials | Black |
| Strap | Stainless Steel with T-Fit Clasp |
| Movement | MT 5652 |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$4150.00 |
Serica GMT 8315
A large part of what makes a good GMT watch is the design. With that in mind, Serica’s 8315 GMT may be one of the best designed GMTs released this year. From the mixture of colours to the 12/12, night/day divide of the ceramic bezel. Even the lollipop, rust orange GMT hand adds a nice touch to the overall vintage design.
This unique offering is exactly why microbrands are loved and are here to stay.
| Brand | Serica |
| Model | 8315 |
| Case Material | Stainless Steel (Right or Left Hand Case Option) |
| Case Dimensions | 39mm x 46.5mm x 12.30mm |
| Water-Resistance | 200m |
| Dials | Black Enamel |
| Strap | 20-14 Black Leather Strap |
| Movement | Soprod C125 |
| Power Reserve | 40 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, seconds, GMT |
| Availability | Pre-Order |
| Price | €1,575.00 |
Grand Seiko Evolution 9 GMT SBGE285
The Grand Seiko Evolution 9 collection is writing a new story for the brand.
It all started with the 9SA5 and the White Birch. And this year it continued with the SBGE285, one of a pair of GMTs released at Watches and Wonders. With the 285, we saw a beautiful marriage of everything that make Grand Seiko stand out: a Spring Drive movement, Seiko’s high-intensity titanium, Zaratsu polishing and a beautiful greyish/white textured dial.
This watch represents exactly what I believe a high-end sports watch should be. And at less than 10k, the watch can’t be ignored as one of the best GMT watches this year.
| Brand | Grand Seiko |
| Model | SBGE285 |
| Case Material | Titanium |
| Case Dimensions | 41mm x 48.3mm x 13.9mm |
| Water-Resistance | 100m |
| Dials | White Textured |
| Strap | Titanium Bracelet with tri-fold clasp |
| Movement | 9R66 |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Complications | Hours, minutes, seconds, GMT, Power Reserve |
| Availability | Now |
| Price | US$8,400.00 |