How Many GMT Owners Use The Bezel?

[horseShu]

People buy the GMT Master to use the bezel, just like people buy the Daytona to use the chronograph.

[ANDEEZY]

I’d like to say I use it when I travel, but the truth is I leave my nice watches at home or at the bank so I don’t risk getting mugged when I’m in a foreign country doing touristy things. I “use” the bezel when I’m just spinning it around for fun :)

[boogiebot]

Not much really. But then I don’t use the bezel of any of the other watches.


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[Macnavara]

Originally Posted by Sgooter

I perused thru 50+ pages in the "Official GMT...Owner's Thread." From the many photos, it appears that most owners do not use the bezel as a GMT time reference (bezel parked at 12 o'clock position). I wore a GMT for 27 years, and knowing "zulu" time was a requirement.
So, GMT owners: Do you use the bezel routinely, rarely, never, etc?

Ive had gmts for the past thirty years and have only ever used them for timing pasta or eggs

[A-Wax]

I've always wondered about this, as there are only number markings on the bezel as far as I'm aware (have never had chance to try one or examine close-up).

Once you rotate the bezel, am I right in thinking you have to do a quick bit of addition/subtraction to work out the time in either the second or third zones? If so, does that slightly negate the advantage of having a GMT hand/mechanism in the first place? I've seen watches with fixed 24 hour markings near the chapter ring and a second set of marking on the bezel - *that* makes sense to me.

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[Number3]

It’s the perfect beer counter for a boys night out. Remember those?

[kwingy]

I use to use it a few times when travelling. But now I cant be bothered lol. Have a world time app on the phone - so much easier. Just set the local time on a GMT and thats it.

[emtee]

Handy for counting beers. Only problem is it only goes up to 24

[watchmework]

Almost every day to tell the time in another time zone.

[GreatScott]

None, I only need 2 time zones. I use the one GMT function allot.

Since I've loved the sub look my entire life, the bezel is still the look I want.

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[996marty]

Yes I use mine when away

[Highlatitude]

I am a long haul pilot. My GMT hand is always set to GMT (as it is the international standard timezone for all aviation - so used on all schedules, paperwork, weather reports, flight plans, customs, airport facilities etc.). So if the 24 hour marker is zeroed then I have GMT showing and I put local time on the normal hour hand. When I arrive somewhere new, I set the normal hour hand to local again. Occasionally I want to know the time somewhere else and if that place's timezone is for example GMT-9 (which is the way timezones are always indicated) then I rotate the bezel 9 clicks/hours backwards. I can easily work this out myself of course but where the time goes through midnight or the international date line and I am tired and jet lagged, then the bezel is a nice convenience and prevents silly errors. Over the date line I know to rotate the bezel all the way back to GMT first then to the correct setting. This is the way every pilot I know who owns a watch with this feature uses it.

[Aberdein]

I worked international for most of my career and always used the function when overseas.

[samson66]

Originally Posted by Number3

It’s the perfect beer counter for a boys night out. Remember those?

Oh man that's a great idea. Next Ravens tailgate I'm doing that! It's a good thing its 24 hr, 12 might not be enough

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[JerseyGMT]

Originally Posted by A-Wax

I've always wondered about this, as there are only number markings on the bezel as far as I'm aware (have never had chance to try one or examine close-up).

Once you rotate the bezel, am I right in thinking you have to do a quick bit of addition/subtraction to work out the time in either the second or third zones? If so, does that slightly negate the advantage of having a GMT hand/mechanism in the first place? I've seen watches with fixed 24 hour markings near the chapter ring and a second set of marking on the bezel - *that* makes sense to me.

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Not exactly. I own a GMT, so only have the rotating bezel. When I used to travel more, say New York to London, I would rotate the bezel 5 hours ahead so I could read London time via the 24 hour hand. That would let me read NY time via the regular (12hr) hour hand.

Specifically, I would rotate the bezel counter clockwise 5 hours. That would give London time via the 24hr hand and I would have to change and reset the watch itself.

Hope that helps!

[Jolly55]

When looking for a travel watch in 2008, I got down to a GMT 2 and an Omega Seamaster GMT. The Omega gave me two time zones (home and local was all I needed), and a diver bezel, display back, and coaxial escapement. I use the diver bezel all the time - swimming, running, cooking, etc. I don't like leaving a watch in the room (even a safe), and found the Seamaster to be comfortable and functional. I did have to send it back shortly after purchase, and it is thicker than the GMT 2 .... but I wore it for the next ten years while on travel.

That said, my Go To Watch is my 14060M, and I love the look of the GMT 2 Coke bezel.

[DGB]

Yes. I use the bezel every time I travel.


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[Chope Man]

I use it when I travel.

I used it for years to know the time in California, when my boss was there (and me in France). Now she came back in Paris.

I also use it from time to time when cooking (although not totally as practical as the Submariner bezel or the one of my chrono Tudor 79270).

[wohlfecc]

This was an overlooked feature for me, and now the main reason I'll most likely never get a 6-digit GMT Master: using the bezel for elapsed time. Ok, you have to do a bit of math (2.5 minute chunks of time), but it's also great for counting elapsed hours, too, if you set the triangle on the GMT hand. And, of course, it works as advertised for the third time zone. Bonus!

This was all deep-sixed with the 6-digit models, however, when they changed the bezel from 120 clicks to 24.

Wonder if removing the ball bearings under the bezel would be possible? Might free-spin the bezel. Hmm...

[B2 Stealth]

Airline pilot. Absolutely use!

[vesnyder]

I have not been doing too much traveling (obviously) but use it to keep track of GMT time and used it regularly when ytraveling. The 3 time zones was a stretch.

[djyolky]

Originally Posted by Jolly55

When looking for a travel watch in 2008, I got down to a GMT 2 and an Omega Seamaster GMT. The Omega gave me two time zones (home and local was all I needed), and a diver bezel, display back, and coaxial escapement. I use the diver bezel all the time - swimming, running, cooking, etc. I don't like leaving a watch in the room (even a safe), and found the Seamaster to be comfortable and functional. I did have to send it back shortly after purchase, and it is thicker than the GMT 2 .... but I wore it for the next ten years while on travel.



That said, my Go To Watch is my 14060M, and I love the look of the GMT 2 Coke bezel.

Huh?

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[DowntotheLine]

I use the bezel when I travel. When I travel I set the hour hand to local wherever I am, but my GMT hand is always set to Zulu for reference at work. I move the bezel -4 Summer/-5 Winter hours for GMT to EST and thats how I reference the time at home.

[Heu]

Originally Posted by boogiebot

Not much really. But then I don’t use the bezel of any of the other watches.


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2

[D.P.G.]

I'm a commercial pilot and use it as a tool watch so I utilize the GMT hand and bezel almost daily.

[Showcall]

[QUOTE=Sgooter;10627073]I perused thru 50+ pages in the "Official GMT...Owner's Thread." From the many photos, it appears that most owners do not use the bezel as a GMT time reference (bezel parked at 12 o'clock position). I wore a GMT for 27 years, and knowing "zulu" time was a requirement.
So, GMT owners: Do you use the bezel routinely, rarely, never, etc?

I use mine when ever I travel, I also have it on French time whilst I am in Australia as my daughter lives in France.

[Greg 59]

Okay, I'll be perfectly frank here. I use the bezel when I'm sitting waiting for something as an alternative to twiddling my thumbs. I also use it by way of justifying the expense when people ask me about my watch. I also use it to open doors, rub along brickwork, and slice open my face occasionally!

[Kniazukay]

well, when I used to travel before this lockdown yes I used the bezel... I actually bought the watch for that very reason and now I wear it as a reminder of how my life used to be as I sit at my desk at home lol

[Bladeshot]

All the time! But I use it as a timer to mark the beginning or end of a time period. 2.5 minutes around the 60 minute dial (on the 126710) is close enough for me when cooking, etc. My 16710 is more accurate (with 60 clicks), for timing.

I have used the bezel on each to track a 3rd time zone when traveling a long way, to note the local time at a layover airport. However, with the independent hour hand, I use the bezel mostly for timing, or to set a reminder (when I need to do something at an appointed time).

[Rebel]

I did when I was on active duty in the Army serving in an operations center with a worldwide mission. Helped me keep track of time in hot spots.

I flipped it later for a Submariner.