Travel... Crossing time zones, escaping everything, changing surroundings... For a year and a half, this reality was also locked away, but not for long. The summer of 2021 marked a return to travel, and as we all got back to work, it was time to think about travel again, both for leisure and business. And for this, nothing beats a traveler's watch. GMT, Dual-Time, world-timer... There are many types of watches designed for travel, but they all have the same goal - to make life easier when crossing time zones. Here are some of the most notable travel watches we've seen so far in 2021.
BELL & ROSS BR 03-93 GMT
As a brand specializing in everything aviation-related, the GMT complication is a must for Bell & Ross, which equips most of its creations with it. The latest in this line is the classic - dare I say, emblematic - BR 03 collection of instruments with an updated GMT version. For this occasion, the watch features an external bidirectional bezel with a red/black insert, as well as a typical square case and a highly legible dial. These bold 42mm watches are powered by the Sellita SW 330 movement, which means independent GMT hand adjustment. The overall look seems more sporty, but the execution is more refined than before, making this watch more of a civilian tool than a military-oriented one.
Quick facts: 42mm x 42mm - stainless steel, bidirectional black-red 24-hour bezel - 100m water resistance - caliber BR-CAL.303, base Sellita SW-330, 42h power reserve, independent GMT hand - black leather strap - BR0393-BL-ST/SCA - €3,800
BVLGARI OCTO ROMA WORLDTIMER
Participating in the Geneva Watch Days 2021, Bvlgari set the tone for the idea of traveling again, with not one but two new travel-function models. In addition to the cool and youthful Aluminium GMT, Bvlgari introduced the new Octo Roma Worldtimer model. Still a watch that cannot be more representative of the brand's design codes, the Roma model is a more conservative and softer option of the octagonal case shape, with fewer facets and, of course, less thinness. Nevertheless, the brand did an excellent job integrating the world-time function, especially in this black DLC and fully monochromatic version. Sporty, modern, yet discerning, it will make a great companion for both business and leisure. Inside is the in-house caliber BVL257.
Quick facts: 41mm x 11.35mm - DLC-coated stainless steel - 100m water resistance - matte black dial with city ring and 24-hour indication - caliber BVL257, in-house, 42h power reserve, world-time function - black textured rubber strap with DLC steel clasp - 103486 - €8,600
NORQAIN FREEDOM 60 GMT
Although Norqain is a young brand, it has made a name for itself in the watch arena with its affordable, well-made, and thoughtfully designed watches, often equipped with top-class in-house movements. An example is the Freedom 60 GMT, currently available in a classic steel case with a beautiful white dial and a so-called “Pepsi” 24-hour ring, but this time displayed on the dial. The watch has a light vintage vibe, is well-proportioned, and robust. Inside is the Kenissi automatic chronometer with a 70-hour power reserve and an independent local time hand - the most practical when crossing time zones. Overall, an excellent set with a cool appearance.
Quick facts: 40.5mm x 14.5mm - stainless steel case - 100m water resistance - opal white dial with inner blue/red 24-hour ring - in-house caliber NN20/2 (based on Kenissi), COSC certified, 70h power reserve, independent local time hand - stainless steel bracelet, leather strap, or Perlon rubber strap - NN2100SG/0211/201SG - priced at CHF 3,550
PORSCHE DESIGN 1919 GLOBETIMER UTC ALL BLACK
Porsche Design may be best known for its chronograph watches, but recently the brand has added to the list of travel-oriented brands. Released in 2019, the 1919 Globetimer UTC made a big impression at the exhibition not only for its beautiful design, elegant and ergonomic case, but also for how the brand handles the idea of time zone adjustment. Forget about the crown and the need to unscrew it… Porsche Design drew inspiration from the Porsche PDK gearbox, with “+” and “-” buttons on the side, linked to the local time hand jumping in one-hour increments - thanks to the proprietary UTC module, installed on top of the COSC-manufacture Sellita SW 200-1. By 2021, the brand releases a new All Black edition, which cannot be more PD, with a matte titanium case, black coating, and leather strap made from genuine Porsche vehicle leather.
Quick facts: 42mm x 14.90mm - titanium case - bead-blasted glass with black PVD coating - 100m water resistance - black matte dial with 24-hour indication - caliber Porsche Design WERK 04.110 (based on Sellita SW 200-1 with proprietary UTC module), COSC certified, 38h power reserve, local time hand adjustable with “+” and “-” buttons - Porsche vehicle leather strap - 4056487005355 - €6,250
ROLEX EXPLORER II 226570
Rolex and the GMT complication is a true love story. The crown is often seen as the precursor of traveler's watches, thanks to the GMT Master of 1954 - in fact, Glycine was first on the market with the Airman in 1953. Nevertheless, Rolex has become inseparable from this complication, not only with classic GMT Master watches but also with the Explorer II. As part of the 2021 collection, Rolex released a (slightly) updated version of their adventurer's watch with 24-hour indication. Of course, the update is minimal, with new hands, slightly redesigned proportions with thinner lugs and a larger bracelet, AR coating on the crystal (finally). The main update concerns the movement, which now belongs to the 32XX generation with a chronometric escapement and a 70-hour power reserve - the same movement as the GMT Master II, with an independent local time hand. So yes, everything changed in tiny proportions, only to make a great watch even better.
Quick facts: 42mm x about 12mm - stainless steel case - fixed engraved 24-hour bezel - 100m water resistance - matte black dial with orange accents - caliber 3285, in-house, top-grade chronometer, 70h power reserve, local time hand with hourly increment - Oyster stainless steel bracelet - M226570-0002 - €8,050
YEMA SUPERMAN HERITAGE GMT PEPSI
Last but not least, proof that you don't need to spend several thousand on a cool GMT watch is demonstrated by Yema with its Superman Heritage GMT Pepsi, a watch that looks cool, does its job well in terms of complications, and still lives up to the name printed on the dial with diver's specifications. Compact, vintage-looking, still featuring the emblematic traits of the model, Yema adds the GMT complication here and the 24-hour Pepsi scale on the bezel, making this new version a great combination of travel and sport, with its 300-meter water resistance. Inside is the YEMA3000 manufacture caliber, an automatic French-made movement with a 42-hour power reserve.
Quick facts: 39.5mm - stainless steel case - bidirectional bezel with blue/red 24-hour insert - 300m water resistance - glossy black dial with red accents - manufacture caliber YEMA3000, 42-hour power reserve, independent 24-hour GMT hand - stainless steel bracelet - €1,190