GMT Designed for 2 time zones (not 3?)

[BigBallerBrand]

https://www.rolex.com/watches/gmt-ma...blro-0001.html

Was just reading the site. Was always under the impression that the GMT was designed for 3 time zones....why does rolex only say it’s for 2?

[GMT Aviator]

At a glance it shows two, GMT and local time depending on where the bezel is set.

By rotating the bezel to another position it will show a differing, 3rd time zone.

You could argue that each click of the bezel will show a differing time zone making the total time zones available a lot more than three, but on face value it is only two.

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by BigBallerBrand

https://www.rolex.com/watches/gmt-ma...blro-0001.html

Was just reading the site. Was always under the impression that the GMT was designed for 3 time zones....why does rolex only say it’s for 2?

With the rotatable bezel you can make it 3, it just requires some manual back and forth, but it works for sure


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[csaltphoto]

I always assumed the bezel was some kind of mission or offset timer, relative to one of the time zones selected.

[mimo5000]

The rotating bezel was the first method for setting a second time zone in the original GMT Master. The GMT Master 2 brought with it a independently movable hour hand.
I much prefer using the independent hour hand to set the local time and use the GMT hand for home time, but that's also because I'm used to my explorer 2 which works in the same fashion. But I do like the rotating bezel feature for a super quick time check, or even using it to time something like I do with my Sea-Dweller bezel.

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[N2theCAPE]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

I always assumed the bezel was some kind of mission or offset timer, relative to one of the time zones selected.

It is a mission if you so choose to accept it.

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[zion_rasta]

3 zones with mental math once you know what each 24hr plot means.

[Event Horizon]

If they added a 24 hour chapter ring, it's a 3 time zone watch.

[breitlings]

Originally Posted by Event Horizon

If they added a 24 hour chapter ring, it's a 3 time zone watch.

Yeah. Breitling GMT avenger had it. Smart feature

[Tools]

Originally Posted by csaltphoto

I always assumed the bezel was some kind of mission or offset timer, relative to one of the time zones selected.

For the first 30 years, the bezel was the only method of a second time zone.

[htc8p]

Rolex says to set the gmt hand to gmt time. Then just use the bezel to +/- gmt.

Pretty much marketing. You can use it how you want.


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[thesharkfactor]

I think it’s pretty useless. When I had a GMT I had zero use for the bezel even when abroad. It’s actually quite easy to add or subtract a couple of hours in your head...

I used the bezel as a timer, same as I do with my sub..only it’s not as good as the sub’s bezel for that.

GMT? Useless complicated complication.

[subtona]

Tried it but actually prefer the fixed bezel on the explorer II.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by Event Horizon

If they added a 24 hour chapter ring, it's a 3 time zone watch.

Originally Posted by breitlings

Yeah. Breitling GMT avenger had it. Smart feature

Grand Seiko has got a couple. Three time zones at a glance.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

I think it’s pretty useless. When I had a GMT I had zero use for the bezel even when abroad. It’s actually quite easy to add or subtract a couple of hours in your head...

I used the bezel as a timer, same as I do with my sub..only it’s not as good as the sub’s bezel for that.

GMT? Useless complicated complication.

Useless to those who don’t use it. Totally understandable.

[Xyza0722]

There is only 2 of the hands capable of displaying the hours in the day....the merc hand and the red arrow. By rotating the bezel you can change which “hour” you want displayed by the arrow
So at any given glance the watch can only display 2 times, up to you which times you want them to be.
The rotating bezel gives you the flexibility above and beyond the Exp II....big still only 2 times

[Chloe&Harley]

Can you set it to only show one time?

[Xyza0722]

Originally Posted by Chloe&Harley

Can you set it to only show one time?

You can set anytime you want

[samson66]

I always found the rotating bezel pretty useless in terms of GMT function (I use it more as a timer).

But technically you could just leave the 24 hour hand set to Greenwich Mean Time and then turn the bezel to make it your home time, so that's sort of three timezones. I've never found a reason to do this however...

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[thesharkfactor]

I think its trying to solve a problem that really just requires very basic simple mathematics. I know if I'm in Germany that back home is 1 hour behind or if I'm in Egypt I just deduct 4 hrs. This is easy enough to do in my head.. in fact, it takes more brain power to understand how to set the time(s) on the GMT watch.

[pickettt]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

I think its trying to solve a problem that really just requires very basic simple mathematics. I know if I'm in Germany that back home is 1 hour behind or if I'm in Egypt I just deduct 4 hrs. This is easy enough to do in my head.. in fact, it takes more brain power to understand how to set the time(s) on the GMT watch.

Likewise, if I know it’s 2:30 and I need to set a timer for 10 minutes, basic simple mathematics tells me that at 2:40, 10 minutes has elapsed........tell why a sub bezel is useful again. The point is to look down and see immediately the information you’re looking for.

[BumbleB]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

I think its trying to solve a problem that really just requires very basic simple mathematics. I know if I'm in Germany that back home is 1 hour behind or if I'm in Egypt I just deduct 4 hrs. This is easy enough to do in my head.. in fact, it takes more brain power to understand how to set the time(s) on the GMT watch.

I usually travel between Europe, USA West Coast and Southeast Asia.

I definitely need my GMT so I don’t wake up the family at home accidentally... especially when I’m in San Diego which is 15 hours behind home. And then a few days later I’m in London and then Amsterdam. I always set my new arrival time as soon as I board the plane so I don’t miss any appointments or calls and always know what time it is at home from the GMT hand.

Then I turn the bezel for timezone of people I have phonecalls with, so i know what time it is where they are.

Always is a huge advantage for me.


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[faimag]

2 time zones on the wrist is enough for me. For 3 of more, there is always my phone.

[djyolky]

Originally Posted by htc8p

Rolex says to set the gmt hand to gmt time. Then just use the bezel to +/- gmt.

Pretty much marketing. You can use it how you want.


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This is the correct way of using the GMT function. It's not marketing.

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[Amochosto]

Originally Posted by thesharkfactor

I think its trying to solve a problem that really just requires very basic simple mathematics. I know if I'm in Germany that back home is 1 hour behind or if I'm in Egypt I just deduct 4 hrs. This is easy enough to do in my head.. in fact, it takes more brain power to understand how to set the time(s) on the GMT watch.

It’s very easy to calculate elapsed time without using a dive bezel as well, it doesn’t mean it’s a useless complication.

[subtona]

Originally Posted by Amochosto

It’s very easy to calculate elapsed time without using a dive bezel as well, it doesn’t mean it’s a useless complication.

That would depend on ones ability to remember the start time.
I am not so gifted, timeline bezel is my favorite.

[D.P.G.]

The GMT Master ll is a tool watch and as a pilot who lives in one time some, has all flights scheduled to GMT time, and traveling to a different time zone daily it is simply convenient. I get it if you go somewhere for a week you remember the offset from local time but when you have a job that each day could have you in multiple time zones it just makes things safer because you can rotate the bezel before take off and always know for certainty the time in each of the 3 location of importance.

[Amochosto]

Originally Posted by subtona

That would depend on ones ability to remember the start time.
I am not so gifted, timeline bezel is my favorite.

I agree with you, and I also find a GMT or dual time complication for the same reason. I travel a lot and it makes it a bit easier.

[shedlock2000]

Technically speaking, the GMTII watch only displays two times (this two time zones). The third is read using the bezel (not the movement, and is this not a three time zone complication).

As mentioned above, the 24hour hand on the original gmt master and the original explorer was fixed to the hour hand — passing once round the dial while the hour hand passes twice. The original 1655 Explorer would, therefore, only tell you one time zone — even though it had a fourth hand.

I own a 1969 GMT Master, in as much and even though it is a gmt, the complication itself only permits 24hour and 12 hour dial time — I can only tell the second time zone by use of the bezel.


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[askdanny]

Originally Posted by subtona

Tried it but actually prefer the fixed bezel on the explorer II.

You prefer a fixed bezel over a rotating bezel? Mmmh. Makes perfect sense. No need to expound.