Jack Mason is a Texas-based watch brand founded by Peter Cho. The brand combines the American idea of value for money, nostalgic style, and the sensitivity of watch enthusiasts when it comes to design and product features.
One of the brand's bestsellers is the Strat-O-Timer GMT watch. The Strat-O-Timer was among the first to use the famous Japanese Miyota caliber 9075 GMT automatic movement, available in several variants. Why is this important? If you're into GMT-style watches, you know that not all dual-time movements work the same way. Even movements equipped with a 24-hour GMT hand can operate differently. The fundamental difference often lies in what users adjust - local or home time. The Jack Mason Strat-O-Timer GMT, equipped with the caliber 9075 automatic movement, is an affordable modern GMT watch allowing users to independently set the local time.
What does this mean in practice? It relates to how you want to use the second time zone watch. If you're staying 'home' and want to easily set the second time zone, a movement like the Swiss Made ETA 2893 (and most other outdated GMT movements) will suit you. However, enthusiasts do not consider these GMT watches as 'traveler' watches, as you want to easily adjust local time rather than home (reference) 24-hour time. Until recently, to enjoy the functionality of 'traveler's GMT watches,' consumers had to spend much more money and purchase something from Rolex or Omega. Now, with the availability of movements like the Miyota 9075 automatic, the world of traveler's GMT watches has opened up, and Jack Mason was one of the first passengers on board this new train.
The nostalgic, vintage style of sports watches, the 40mm Strat-O-Timer GMT case has a tonneau shape with a round dial and is made of stainless steel. The case is 13mm thick but appears thinner as about 2mm is due to the sapphire crystal. The lug-to-lug distance is a modest 47mm, ensuring a comfortable wear on most wrists. The case is water-resistant up to 200 meters and features a sapphire crystal insert over the rotating GMT-style bezel, a rarity in many watches at this price.
Despite being a modern watch, Jack Mason has done an excellent job of giving it a vintage character both in wear and appearance. This particular version of the Jack Mason Strat-O-Timer GMT is called 'Espresso,' given its special brown-brown bezel color. Currently, Jack Mason has released four versions of the Strat-O-Timer GMT, including the red with blue trim 'Americana,' the black-blue 'Dark Night,' the green 'Magnolia,' and this mixed brown version 'Espresso.' All colors somehow resemble popular Rolex GMT-Master II or Submariner watch models.
The Jack Mason package includes a comfortable seven-link steel bracelet (or a three-link option) and a rubber strap. I found the strap comfortable, although the end of the strap is slightly large, and Jack Mason stated that this detail will be refined over time. Interestingly, two bracelet options are offered, which might confuse some buyers, but it allows them to choose the style they prefer more.
Inside the Strat-O-Timer GMT, as I mentioned, is the automatic Miyota Cal. 9075 movement with automatic winding. The movement is visible through a sapphire crystal window on the back of the case and operates at a frequency of 4 Hz with a 42-hour power reserve. Here are time indicators, a date window, and a 24-hour hand. With 'quick setting' of local time, the hour hand moves forward or backward in one-hour increments. The idea is to allow travelers to easily adjust between time zones and change local time during travel.
Despite some quirks, the Jack Mason Strat-O-Timer GMT is a very competent watch for the money, featuring a friendly, accessible style that I think will appeal to many people. The concept should be 'familiar' to watch enthusiasts, but small touches allow Jack Mason to stand out and let its Texan and American roots also take their place. Note the 'Lone Star' style brand logo and the understated red, white, and blue colors that coat the counterweight on the second hand. The price of the Jack Mason Strat-O-Timer GMT Espresso is $999 USD. Learn more on the Jack Mason watches website.
Essential Data
- Brand: Jack Mason
- Model: Strat-O-Timer GMT Espresso
- Price: $999 USD
- Dimensions: 40mm wide, 13mm thick (with crystal), 47mm lug-to-lug
- When the reviewer would personally wear them: As well-made yet affordable travel watches when sport and style are required during your explorations.
- Friends we would recommend them to first: Budget-minded watch enthusiasts looking for 'true' traveler's GMT watches with an accessible style and a brand that is niche but not at all weird.
- Best feature of the watch: Good overall design and use of high-quality components and features. It feels like a more expensive watch than it is.
- Worst feature of the watch: Strap ends are slightly large. Hour markers seem a bit bulky compared to the thickness of the hands, but it does not affect legibility.