For frequent flyers, a GMT watch is a great companion because it can display the time in two different time zones simultaneously. With a GMT watch, you can always know what time it is at home and wherever you are. The abbreviation GMT stands for "Greenwich Mean Time," which is the original time standard used to set the times for all the other time zones around the world. Today, we use UTC instead, the coordinated universal time, and the design of the GMT watches has changed somewhat as a result. The design has changed because, in the first GMT watch models, the second hand or the second dial were set to show the time in GMT. Today, however, you can decide which time zones you want to follow.

How to identify a GMT watch

Whether you’ve got your heart set on a TAG Heuer Aquaracer Calibre 7 Twin-time watch or the Conquest V.H.P. GMT from Longines, although every GMT watch has its own style, most are sportier in style when compared to other watch types. Renowned watch brands have also started to add a splash of color to their GMT watches by using color on the numbers and hands. Another typical feature is a bezel, which has two different colors and a 24-hour scale; this makes it easier for the wearer as it makes the distinction between day and night clearer. It is no coincidence that many people are reminded of an aviator watch when they see the GMT models from Cartier or Patek Philippe; this is because GMT watches were originally developed for pilots.

By the way, it’s easy to set or adjust one or both of the time zones on a GMT watch as the crown can be wound and set to two different positions. When setting the crown, though, don’t forget to take the 24-hour scale into account.