Five Watches With Flyer GMT Functionality, And Then Some…

To function properly, a watch first and foremost needs to tell time. On top of that, there’s a world of complexity and practicality to be discovered. One such complication is the GMT function, preferably of the Flyer kind. But what if you want something more than that? What if you want, let’s say, an alarm function, genuine diving capabilities, or even to hide the function altogether? The watches in this week’s Buying Guide do just that, as they are what I like to call “GMT Plus” watches!

Ball Roadmaster M Model A

We recently went hands-on with the Roadmaster M Model A by Ball Watch Company, and we’re quite impressed by its robustness and original combination of features. It’s not only built like a tank, but it comes with tritium micro gas tubes that light up your room like the night sky, GMT practicality, and of course, a mechanical 12-hour alarm! All functions are read on a black multi-level dial with red finishing touches and a two-tone black and red 24-hour bezel. Worn on a steel three-link bracelet and limited to 333 pieces, this one retails for USD 6,299.

For more information, please visit BallWatch.ch.

Quick Facts – 41mm x 15.2mm – 904L stainless steel case, brushed & polished – bicirectional two-tone 24h-bezel – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – 5,000g shock-resistant – multi-level black dial – markers & hands with tritium micro gas tubes – GMT & mechanical alarm function – calibre BALL RM7379, automatic – 28,800vph – 80h power reserve – steel three-link bracelet with folding clasp – limited to 333 pieces – USD 6,299

Longines Hydroconquest GMT

Not too long ago, Longines added a formidable travel-ready dive watch to its portfolio, with the Hydroconquest GMT. While it comes in multiple sizes and colours, we’re still smitten with this black-and-green 41mm model. While it’s a Flyer GMT watch to begin with, it’s also a genuine diver’s watch, with 300m water-resistance and a 60-minute graduation on the ceramic bezel insert. So in essence, it offers you the best of both worlds! It’s still part of the collection and comes on a textile NATO strap for EUR 2,950 or a three-link steel bracelet for EUR 3,300.

For more information, please visit Longines.com.

Quick Facts – 41mm x 12.9mm – stainless steel case, brushed & polished – unidirectional rotating bezel with ceramic insert – sapphire crystal, solid caseback – 300m water-resistant – sunray-brushed green dial (brown, blue and black also available) – applied markers & hands with SLN – two-tone 24h ring – calibre L844.5, in-house automatic – 25,200vph – 72h power reserve – silicon hairspring – green NATO strap or steel bracelet – EUR 2,950 (NATO strap) or EUR 3,300 (bracelet)

Parmigiani Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante Verzasca green

While most watches here add something on top of the GMT function, the Parmigiani Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante cleverly hides its practicality. The GMT hand, which is gold, can be adjusted through the pusher in the lower left lug. Push it, and it advances one hour. The pusher in the crown, however, is for the incognito mode. Push that one, and the GMT hand jumps and hides behind the local hour hand, converting it into a super-refined two-handed Tonda PF for those not “in the know”. This new edition comes with a gorgeous Verzasca Green dial and retails for CHF 28,700. The case and bracelet are in steel, yet the fluted bezel is in platinum.

For more information, please visit Parmigiani.com.

Quick Facts – 40mm x 10.7mm – stainless steel case with knurled platinum bezel – crown with integrated pusher and secondary pusher in the lug for GMT function – Verzasca Green grain d’orge guilloché dial – delta-shaped local hour, home hour and minute hand – applied indices and logo – calibre PF051, automatic with micro-rotor – 31 jewels – 21,600vph – 38h power reserve – stainless steel bracelet – CHF 27,800

De Bethune DB25GMT Starry Varius

When De Bethune creates a GMT watch, you know it will be special. The DB25GMT Starry Varius is exactly what to expect from the high-end indie watchmaker, and combines several signature elements. For starters, it comes with hollowed lugs on the 18k rose gold case. Then there’s the Starry Varius centre disc in heat-blued titanium. On top of that, there’s a spherical GMT and Day/Night indicator over a two-tone 24-hour ring. And to finish it off, there’s a jumping date pointer as well. Oh, and the movement is drop-dead gorgeous, of course! Worn on a dark blue leather strap with a gold pin buckle, this one has a price upon request only.

For more information, please visit DeBethune.ch.

Quick Facts – 42mm x 11.8mm – 18k rose gold case, polished – hollowed lugs – sapphire crystal front & back – crown for setting local & home time – recessed date corrector at 6′ – 30m water-resistant – spherical 24-hour indication with day/night sides – central jumping date pointer – gold hour & minute hands – blue ‘Starry Varius’ centre section – calibre DB2507, in-house – manual winding – 368 parts – 28,800vph – 120h power reserve – dark blue leather strap – price upon request

Bremont Altitude Perpetual Calendar GMT Mono-Pusher

For 2025, Bremont has brought back the signature Trip Tick case in the Altitude collection. The stand-out piece in the range, and a bit of an unexpected showstopper, is the Altitude Perpetual Calendar GMT Mono-Pusher in grade 2 titanium. The uniquely shaped case has a RAF blue dial, which is also found on the caseband. The GMT function is displayed at noon, with a 24-hour ring and a domed globe disc. The perpetual calendar indications are spread over the remaining three sub-dials. The movement uses a Sellita AMT 6900 base and a QP module by Agenhor. It’s limited to 50 pieces and costs GBP 29,800.

For more information, please visit Bremont.com.

Quick Facts – 42mm x 12.65mm – grade 2 titanium Trip Tick case – crown with integrated pusher – correctors at 2′ and 4′ – sapphire crystal front & back – 100m water-resistant – RAF blue dial, vertically brushed – applied markers & hands with SLN – GMT globe & 24h ring at noon – full QP display – calibre BHC9192.MH (Sellita AMT6900 base) – QP module by Agenhor – automatic – 50h power reserve – titanium bracelet or leather strap – 50-piece limited edition – GBP 33,500