The Best GMT and Traveller’s Watches of 2024

In an age where the world is literally in the palm of our hands, it seems like the far corners of our planet are closer than ever. Yet, if we want to go there physically, we still face the challenges of adjusting to different time zones when travelling abroad. Not to worry, as there are multiple solutions that can help you keep track of time wherever you are, and where home is at the same time. So, looking back at the best watches released in 2024, we now turn to what we think are the Best GMT and Traveller’s  Companions.

Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Worldtimer

This year, Carl F. Bucherer came out with one of the best-looking travel watches we’ve seen in a long time, the Heritage Worldtimer, modelled after a vintage Bucherer watch. With a classical twin-crown set-up, pioneered by Louis Cottier in the early 1930s, the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Worldtimer has one crown to adjust the central hour and minute hands, and another to adjust the city ring. This way you can check both the time in your location, and the time back home plus all the other standard 24 time zones in an instant. While it looks very traditional from the front, around the back it reveals its modern calibre CFB A2020, with the brand’s signature peripheral rotor technology. It comes in stainless steel with a black or silvery-white dial, or in rose gold with a silvery-white dial, with prices ranging from EUR 7,500 to EUR 14,800.

For more details about the Carl F. Bucherer Heritage Worldtimer, please check out our detailed hands-on review here.

Certina DS Action GMT

Practicality on a more affordable level came in early in 2024 when Certina introduced the rather impressive DS Action GMT in black and green. It captured our eye thanks to a sensible sticker price, flyer GMT capabilities and dashing good looks. At 41mm across and 14mm in height, it has quite the wrist presence, but it can back it up with its robust 200m water resistance. The black dial is matched to a bidirectional rotating bezel with a green and black insert, both providing excellent legibility. While other variations are available, this one is the winner in our book, in part thanks to the three-link stainless steel bracelet with quick-release spring bars and micro-adjustability. And that price, I hear you ask? A very decent CHF 1,070!

For more details about the formidable Certina DS Action GMT, please check out our video review here.

Rolex GMT Master II “Bruce Wayne” 126710GRNR

While it is far from a revolutionary watch, the “Bruce Wayne” GMT Master II 126710GRNR by Rolex was an instant classic when released during Watches & Wonders. The combination of a steel case with a two-tone grey and black bezel insert and just a hint of green on the GMT hand works brilliantly. It’s quite a bit more subdued in comparison to, let’s say the lefty 126720VTNR and even the “Pepsi” 126710BLRO. Sure, it might be boring to some, but the fact of the matter is the GMT Master II was and still is a genre-defining watch, even in this muted colour scheme. And, although I doubt this needs to be said, it’s a true flyer’s GMT, meaning the local hour hand can be adjusted in one-hour increments through the crown. Fitted to a Jubilee bracelet, with an Oyster bracelet also part of the catalogue for EUR 200 less, the GMT Master II 126710GRNR retails for EUR 11,200.

For more details about the Rolex GMT Master II “Bruce Wayne”, please check out our in-depth review here.

Seiko 5 Sports Field GMT SSK023 & SSK025

With the affordable 5 Sports Field GMT, Seiko merged two distinct styles of watchmaking into a single watch. The SSK023 and SSK025 neatly combine elements of Seiko’s 5 Sport Field watch with the practicality of the GMT Alpinist series. Admittedly, we’re talking about office GMTs instead of flyer GMTs, but you can’t beat the total package both bring to the table. The SSK025 adopts a steel-on-steel exterior with a black dial, while the SSK025 goes for a full stealthy look on a black leather NATO-style strap. Power comes from the calibre 4R34, which indicates the time and a second time zone through central hands, as well as the date. Both are part of the permanent collection and are priced at EUR 430 for the all-black SSK025 and EUR 460 for the all-steel SSK025.

For more details about the wonderful Seiko 5 Sports Field GMT SSK023 and SSK025, please check out our in-depth review here.

Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT

Completing the list is the only watch that our editorial team supported unanimously: the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT. It’s no secret we’re a fan of the retro-styled non-GMT alternative that’s been part of the collection for years, but this one takes it to new heights. It combines the classical good looks of the BB58, with a flyer GMT function courtesy of the MT5450-U manufacture calibre (made with Kenissi). The black and gilt colour scheme is highlighted by a black and deep red two-tone 24-hour “Coke” bezel insert and the inclusion of a snowflake GMT hand. It comes on a black rubber strap or three-link steel bracelet with an adjustable T-Fit folding clasp. The price is EUR 4,420 on rubber or EUR 4,630 on the steel bracelet. Now, where is that Jubilee-style bracelet, Tudor?

For more details about the sub-zero cool Tudor Black bay 58 GMT, please check out our comprehensive hands-on review here.