Five of the best GMT watches released in 2022 Five of the best GMT watches released in 2022

Five of the best GMT watches released in 2022

Ricardo Sime

This 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