Time flies: The best travel watches from the last 12 months
Fergus NashWhat’s travel, I hear you ask? Believe it or not, there’s an activity which means you can leave your home, and go somewhere else! Sadly, that’s an opportunity that many of us have been denied over the last couple of years due to Covid, but now the world is open again, it’s time to dust off that passport. If you’re looking for a new watch to join you on your holiday that you’ve had 24 months to plan, here are the best options from the last 12 months of so.
1. Rolex Explorer II
There were no massive departures between the generations of the Rolex Explorer II, which is a relief for the GMT’s fans. Slight cosmetic changes aside, upgrades to the Explorer II’s movement and bracelet step this underrated gem up a notch and further solidify its value. With it’s superb +/- 2 seconds per day accuracy, 70 hour power reserve, and 100M water resistance, the Explorer II remains a fantastic choice of tool watch. Price: $12,000 AUD
2. IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Edition “LE PETIT PRINCE”
Literary references aside, the Big Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Edition has one of the most magical-seeming complications in a world timer watch, ever. Simply set the rotating bezel to any of the 24 listed cities, and the hour hand will automatically sweep over to adjust without the need for hacking the seconds. That bezel is made from a gorgeous deep blue ceramic, complimenting the sapphire-blue sunburst dial, with subtle touches of red text. Price: $21,700 AUD.
3. Bulgari Octo Roma Worldtimer
With travel becoming relevant once again in our lives, Bulgari has expanded their Roma collection with two new world timers. While thicker than the popular Finissimo line, the extra real estate allows the Roman Jeweller of Time to work with more complications. Whether you fancy the blue dial with a steel case and bracelet, or the black dial and black DLC steel case on a strap, you really can’t go wrong either way.
4. Bremont Supermarine S302
If you interpret the word Supermarine literally, you wind up with “above the ocean”, so it makes perfect sense that Bremont’s Supermarine S302 combines the best elements of classic pilot’s watches with a well-proportioned do-it-all diver. The parchment-orange of the GMT hand lovingly compliments the two-tone crown, which screws down to secure 300M of water resistance. Bremont also choose a creamy beige for the details, giving the dial plenty of vintage flair. Price: $6100 AUD
5. Zodiac Super Sea Wolf World Time
Zodiac are criminally underrated in the world of vintage-style reissues, and the Super Sea Wolf World Time is just another example of why they deserve more acclaim. The sleek silver sunburst dial and firetruck-red world time bezel is sporty but undeniably classy, especially on that solid steel quick-release bracelet. With 200M of water resistance and a Swiss-made GMT movement, it’s up to you to begin the Zodiac comeback. Price $1795USD