Torgoen has revived its T21 Flight GMT watch, which has a slide rule function. Not our thing, but if you love GMT watches then it’s worth a look.
RRP is £217 and there are cream, blue and black dial options.
The TorgoenT21 Flight GMT is a one-of-a-kind timepiece that incorporates a functional E6B analog flight computer. Developed by US naval pilots in the late 1930’s, the E6B is a circular slide rule used during flight planning to calculate fuel burn, wind correction, time en route and other stats.
Although modern aircrafts now use electronic systems to make these calculations, the E6B is still used in flight training to teach pilots how to manually compute these important factors.
Complete with GMT function, the T21 Flight GMT is the ultimate watch for pilots and aviation enthusiasts alike.
Ball has added a blue/green bezel option to its Roadmaster GMT model. Here’s the press info;
Engineered to the specifications of a 35-year Navy Mariner veteran, it’s the world’s first GMT timepiece with day and date functions, delivering utmost functionality.
The pioneering quick-set GMT push buttons revolutionize the way GMT hand is adjusted with its ease-of-use. The tough titanium material and COSC certified mechanical movement guarantee perfect performance in the most imperfect situations. Topping off with the darkness-conquering luminosity of the micro gas tube. The watch that once ran America’s railroads now empowers world explorers to live freely and fearlessly.
The stunning Blue & Green bezel version marks the latest addition to the signature Roadmaster Marine GMT ceramic series, a statement piece that fits for all occasions.
Limited to 1,000 pieces each. The Roadmaster Marine GMT Blue & Green bezel is now available for pre-order until 25 August 2021, at £2110.
Torgoen are well known for making stand out designs and the new Lazuli GMT is in that ballpark. Big numbers on the dial, vivid colours, decent price. It’s all you could want in a fashion quartz watch and you have the bonus of a mineral crystal, Swiss Ronda movement plus a good choice of Italian leather straps too.
At £146 it’s in the same price bracket as many Indie meca-quartz GMT watches, or some entry level Citizen, Seiko or Armani/Boss brands. Worth a look we think.
There is something addictive about designing your own one-off watch. That’s exactly how Bamford London feel as well, so you can buy their Sellita SW330 powered GMT watch with a variety of dial, bezel, hands options, plus a bit of engraving and lettering on the dial.
Sapphire crystal, 40mm steel case, so this will fit most wrists quite nicely.
We gave it a try and created two designs the 01 and 02 and we have to say, either model would be a welcome addition to the NWC watch drawer. Who doesn’t like the classic Pepsi Red/Blue bezel, or an orange or red GMT hand?
The cost is £1400, which is just slightly above the standard model £1250 retail. You don’t have any import duty of VAT to pay as Bamford is a UK based company, so that’s a bonus.
Yep, this old school Swiss watch brands is still going. Mido, often overlooked, is still making watches as part of the mighty Swatch Group and the Ocean Star GMT is quite a decent looker, at a not too scary price.
For 1130 CHF, or about £890 you get a steel cased dive watch that can handle 200m depth and has the useful GMT hand for international travel. There’s a neat worldtimer graphic etched onto the caseback as well, featuring all those cities you are free to visit as part of your UEFA duties.
Fabric, bracelet or leather strap options by the way.
Inside there’s an ETA derived automatic movement, with some 80 hours of power reserve, just like the Tissot Powermatic models. Sapphire crystal and a 44mm case width, so it has some presence on the wrist.
Nope, you won’t impress anyone at the golf club with a Mido. Or a Tissot for that matter. But the fact that Swatch still produces these entry level brands is to be admired, because it would be easy for Swatch to just bin them off and concentrate on Breguet, Omega, Harry Winston and Longines, maybe some Blancpain divers on the side.
So check out Mido, they make some decent looking alternatives to a budget TAG, Raymond Weil, Lacroix and others.
If you want a Ball Engineer GMT at a special pre-order price, then you need to move fast. This new model is available exclusively online. Pre-order now at a limited-time price until 30 June 2021, says Ball Watches and who are we to argue?
As you would expect, it’s got the famous lume via gas tubes tech in there, plus the usual Ball Swiss quality details; the new variation on the Ball Watch GMT formula retails at £1620 by the way.
Here is the press info.
In the Engineer III Jet-Set GMT, we’ve united the uniqueness of a true GMT with revolutionary micro gas tubes. The result is accurate timekeeping that shines in the darkest environments. And because our luminosity shines automatically, you never have to charge it.
The extraordinary tubes are integrated into each applied hour marker on the dial, as well as all four hands, including the tip of the GMT hand. Glowing in harmony with the Super-LumiNova coating on the ceramic bezel and the 24-hour home time indication, three time zones can be easily read in complete darkness.
White dial version really stands out.
Inside the 40mm stainless steel case, the COSC certified precision is protected by advanced technology. Our special mu-metal shield delivers anti-magnetic protection to an intensity of 80,000 A/m (1,000 Gauss). Comprised of nickel, iron, copper and molybdenum, mu-metal ensures that every component, especially the delicate hairspring, withstands the harmful effects of magnetism. This level of protection is vital when flying at high altitudes and when venturing into unknown terrain.
Baltic has revived one of its most popular models the Aquascaphe GMT model. It’s only got 100m of depth resistance, but is equipped with a 24 clicks bi-directional rotating bezel, in case you do soem light scuba adventuring.
The GMT is arguably more useful, assuming you are one of those lucky elite people allowed to jet-set around the globe right now. It is a 39mm wide watch so should fit lots of wrists quite comfortably. There are three colour options and we love the orange n black bezel choice.
More info here. The UK price is just over a grand by the way.
There is a new addition to the BALL Watch family, here’s the press info;
Engineered to the specifications of a 35-year Navy Mariner veteran, it’s the world’s first GMT timepiece with day and date functions, delivering utmost functionality. The pioneering quick-set GMT push buttons revolutionize the way GMT hand is adjusted with its ease-of-use. The tough titanium material and COSC certified mechanical movement guarantee perfect performance in the most imperfect situations.
Topping off with the darkness-conquering luminosity of the micro gas tube. The watch that once ran America’s railroads now empowers world explorers to live freely and fearlessly.
The eye-catching Red & Black bezel version marks the latest addition to the signature Roadmaster Marine GMT ceramic series, a statement piece that fits for all occasions.
Limited to 1,000 pieces each. The Roadmaster Marine GMT Red & Black bezel is now available for pre-order until 30 June 2021 at an exclusive price.
The same Ball Roadmaster GMT watch is available with a Pepsi bezel, black/blue combo or all-green or all-brown. More here at Ball watches website.
We love watches where you can trace the history since new, especially when that story has a military connection. So this 1968 Pepsi bezel Rolex GMT owned by Commander John Carr is a winner in terms of investment potential we think.
It is being auctioned later in May by Gardiner Houlgate and here is the spec from their website;
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date GMT-Master ‘Pepsi’ stainless steel gentleman’s bracelet watch, ref. 1675, circa 1968, serial no. 1870xxx, ‘Pepsi’ bezel insert.
‘Swiss -T<25’ black dial with twenty-four hour hand, dot markers, Mercedes style hands, sweep centre seconds and date aperture, cal. 1570 26 jewel movement, no. D167xxx
Expanding bracelet, the inside case back stamped ‘1675’ and dated ‘I.68’, bezel 40mm diameter.
Comes with the original box, guarantee booklet and chronometer certificate, Rolex service receipt for 1989, and tag.
Commander John R Carr was born in 1912 in Patagonia. Following the death of his father John returned to Britain and served at the Dartmouth Naval College. He served the navy during the war, rising to the rank of Commander, and retired in 1962.
He then went to work for Shell in Europe as Superintendent of Diving, and was the project director of an international group investigating the effect of mixed gas diving on the ability of men to work at great depths, called Capshell.
It was a collaboration of the Italian, US and British Navies, Shell and Italian diving firm Micoperi. This project was at the forefront of modern oceanography and paved the way for the oil industry to work in the deep sea.
The medical side of the research took place in Zurich and after the project was finished John was gifted this Rolex from the team. He passed away in 2001.
ORIGINAL CONDITION, NOT RESTORED
What we like about this watch is that it has NOT been restored or refurbished with modern hands, bezel or other bits by well-meaning technicians at Rolex. Yes the crystal has scratches, the case has marks and there is some dust inside the watch, but that makes it undeniably authentic, a true piece of watch history.
Clean it now and then, have it serviced but not restored – and then store it away safely. This is better than money in the bank, we guarantee it will almost double in value in a decade – try getting that return from NatWest.
Grand Seiko has a new 9F86 quartz GMT creation that adds a new dimension, so the Japanese watchmaker says, with three variants available in June. Prices start at 4450 euros – ouch.
Maybe invest in a pre-owned Grand Seiko automatic instead? Prices are rising rapidly on the pre-owned market and we think they will go higher as more collectors fall out of love with Rolex waiting lists.
Anyway, here is the word from GS on their new model;
The case is simple in design but, with its muscular shape and sharp, Zaratsu polished surfaces, it presents a powerful sports aspect. The dial has gold color details and it is offered as a limited edition of 2,021 to mark the 140th anniversary of Seiko’s foundation. Two other versions with red and blue accents join the main Grand Seiko collection.
A design perfect for both sport and daily use.
All three new creations are all quintessentially Grand Seiko in every way, combining the highest level of precision and durability with supreme legibility and the quiet yet instantly recognizable brilliance that is the Grand Seiko hallmark.
The case ridges are sharp and crisp. The bezels are ceramic and so are almost impervious to scratches. Every detail is fashioned to enhance the legibility of the time and the precision that Caliber 9F86 delivers.
The two-tone dial ring allows the night and day hours indicated by the GMT hand of matching color to be read instantly. Legibility at night is ensured by the use of two colors of LumiBrite: green for the hour hand, minute hand and indexes, and blue for the GMT hand. The ceramic bezel allows the time to be read instantly and accurately in the GMT 24 hour format.
The hour hand is independently adjustable so that the precision is maintained even when adjusting the time to a second time zone. A date with an instant change mechanism, a sapphire crystal, 20 bar water resistance and magnetic resistance of 16,000 A/m complete the specifications. Even with this high functionality, the case diameter is a modest 40mm, making the watch perfect for sport and daily use.
The blue creation features a deep blue dial and bezel to match the bright blue color accents of the dial. All three watches will be available in June 2021 at the Grand Seiko Boutiques and selected Grand Seiko retail stores worldwide.
