Fratello Talks: How Useful Are GMT Watches?

Hello, and welcome to this week's episode of Fratello Talks. This week, we ask ourselves: how useful are GMT watches? Lex, Morgan, and Nacho join forces to take an honest look at this most popular of complications and how useful it truly is in real life. They also share some personal experiences with GMT watches, explain the difference between flyer and caller GMTs, and talk about their favorite multi-time-zone watches they've owned.

[cobravictor]

I can only see Nacho and Lex having a conversation. Would be nice to direct the conversation and give equally everyone the chance to talk. Also it's nice when one person talks to pause for a bit. Other than that, I'm a huge fan of your work guys.

[matthewpasqua]

Love
Lex’s response there!!! “Doesn’t make sense!” Spot on!!! 12:05

[brownmcpherson]

Omega made a smaller and much thinner Seamaster GMT. The 2234.50 was available with both the Bond and the Speedmaster bracelets (better choice!). Great travel watch.

[Number_]

Thanks guys - enjoyed the conversation and the differing points of view. I have a Sinn "caller" UTC and like it a lot. And I have to agree that it is largely for "romantic" reasons. For me personally, it's nice to see a timezone of a location I would love to travel to.

[ryangochuico]

Flyer gmt has the inconvenience of NOT having a quickset date. That's pretty much my only complaint with it

[MrCommodoreAtari]

If I really need a GMT watch, I'll take a Casio G-Shock. :)

[Chrissepisje]

The Parmigiani Fleurier GMT Rattrapante is just a work of art and understated beauty. Given the fact that I have very, very seldomly traveled further than 9 hours outside of my own timezone in the last 27 years of work travel, I will say that Lex is full of shit. Nobody "needs" a 24 hour time scale.

I can set the GMT hand to local time, I can set the GMT to home time, and since I never travel out of a 12 hour reach I can remember if I'm east or west of the other location I'm tracking. Sorry, there's just no more to it, so caller or flyer are both OK.

Even more honestly: I've never needed or even properly used a GMT watch in those 27 years of travel. You set your watch on time at arrival, and you remember where you're from. Basta. Therefore, my absolute best travel watches are my SBGP011 Grand Seiko and Citizen Ibuki Chronomaster with independently movable hour hand. Simple threehanders, but very practical in flight.

So the GMT is indeed mostly aspirational rather than having any meaningful function.

[Cohen.the.Worrier]

Too many talking faces, not enough watches. It's not radio guys.

[ItsNeverTooHotLeather]

Origin of the first GMT watch is the Glycine Airman, not the Rolex GMT Master! You're welcome! Bye.