Looking for a GMT < $3000

[explodingtaco]

I love the rolex GMT, but I wont have the money for it for years to come. If I had $6000 I would get a watch AND LASIK . I really want the GMT function as I do and will continue to travel extensivly. Thanks for any suggestions.

The only one I have seen in that price range is the OMEGA seamaster and I have only seen one in person and the finnish was weak on it. It looked cheap.

EDIT:

Let me redefine what I am looking for. I am looking for a "lifetime" watch. Something that can, if I so choose, last the rest of my life. Invicta and the like does not really fit that bill for me, neither does a casio. I ask here because you guys know nice watches, not because I dont know how to do a google search. Thanks for any ideas!

[Tools]

et,

I've heard that the Omega Seamaster GMT is discontinued and the only GMT function will be the Bond 007. I don't like the Bond.

As for Rolex, you should be able to find an older GMT for around that price range if you were to undertake the quest..

Generally I'm not in favor af anybody going into debt for a watch, but some AD's have a long term, no-interest payment plan.

3 large down on a new one would get you a two year note at less than a hundred a month....However, do not do anything you cannot afford simply for a watch.......IMO

[explodingtaco]

Not to highjack my own thread . . . But . . . I am saving to pay cash for a house, so I surely wont borrow for a watch. But to each there own, I have no problem with anyone who does. It is just not for me.

There has to be something out there besides omega and rolex

[Ed Rooney]

Hamilton has a nice GMT for $500 or so.

Wenger makes a great quartz GMT for <$200.

Seiko has a Spring drive Marinemaster with a GMT hand for $3300ish.


Invicta makes a $100 Explorer II homage.

Steinhart makes a GMT-master homage.

Seiko has a number of inexpensive "world-timers".

If I need GMT I flip to the "Dual Time" mode on my Casio.

They are out there. Go to Amazon.com and type "gmt watch".

[explodingtaco]

Let me redefine what I am looking for. I am looking for a "lifetime" watch. Something that can, if I so chose, last the rest of my life. Invicta and the like does not really fit that bill for me, neither does a casio. I ask here because you guys know nice watches.


I like the seiko suggestion though! Just doesnt do it for me though.

[Paulie]

http://bernardwatch.com/Ulysse-Nardin

San Marco GMT - two choices, pre-loved or new in box. A very nice looking piece! Has Romans and in the budget.

[timebroker]

I know you said "doesn't do it for me" on the Seiko but I have one, same as you I never thought I would like it but here I am.
A watch of over 30 years and still running strong, movement like new so it will run another 30 years easily.

There are some really nice vintage GMT's out there.
If you want a GMT by brand only, quest for the Rolex like Tools suggested, otherwise keep on searching for a cheaper one with a good movement and a case and dial you like.
Persistance is the key, ask any vintage collector

[explodingtaco]

Originally Posted by timebroker

I know you said "doesn't do it for me" on the Seiko but I have one, same as you I never thought I would like it but here I am.

Its not that seiko doesnt do it for me, I like their other spring drive very much, it is just this dive watch that I dont like.

[mike]

I've seen a few older Rolex GMTs in that range in the last couple months. There was a 16700 for 3K and one for 3.2K recently on another sites SC.

[roadcarver]

explodingtaco, try www.preownedrolex.com. The have a price range about $3500.

[leopardprey]

Find a used Rolex Explorer II. Many for sale for around $3000.

The Omega Seamaster GMT can be found for around $2000 or a little less. Very fine watch. Many Omega Dealers still have them in stock, easy to find.

Ulysse Nardin (check out these two good grey dealers www.essentialwatches.com or www.prestigetime.com). There are some really nice GMT Big Dates and Dual Times with leather bands at around $3000. You can find usually a nice used one for the same price with a SS Bracelet. Very nice watches and very proven and rugged.

If you are looking for a "LifeTime Watch" go with one of the above.

[Jedi]

Chopard makes a GMT model in their Mille Miglia range. It's a chrono as well, but it may just float your boat.

[EvEr34]

*edit*

[Ed Rooney]

I'm kind of in the same boat. I'm looking for that lifetime watch, preferably a GMT, but I also want a dive watch, but not for diving. I live near the water, swim a lot, but also have a need for a GMT. The Omega fits the bill perfectly. As much as I hate to say it, the Bond GMT might be my perfect watch. If only they used the sword hands.

[JAD3703]

The Omega GMT is outstanding. I have owned several GMTs and keep coming back to the Omega GMT, which will be the fill-in until I get the GMT II.

Edox makes a good one, if you like their look / styling.

James

[Tools]

Originally Posted by explodingtaco

I like the seiko suggestion though! Just doesnt do it for me though.

If you aren't dead set on a GMT function....

Mont Blanc makes a dynamite diver for ~1500 and it's a steal. They are going into production of high end only watches soon.

IWC Pilots chrono is one of my favorites, they can be found around 3 - 3500

The 14060 Sub can be had new for 4 if you look, and used easily at 3,000

Omegas are < 3 all day long.....just not the Bond GMT. Used SM GMT are less than 3..

[Mr_Pacman]

I'm surprised you didn't like the Omega GMT.

I've owned that watch in both the black and white dial version and thought it was a fantastic watch. You can pick them up slightly used in the $1,000 to $1,300 price range....and I think it gives a lot of bang for the buck.

I personally feel, the bracelet on the Omega is much more solid feeling than the oyster bracelets that come on the Rolex sport models (not including the ones that come on the new ceramic GMT as I've never played around with that bracelet). The only thing I didn't like about the Omega bracelet is the lack of adjustability as there are no micro holes in the clasp.

[explodingtaco]

I dont know what it is about the omega's but they have never really done anything for me.

I like a black or white face no other colors. And, unfortunatly I am very picky.

One watch I like very much is the black Tag Carrera Twin-Time. Just not sure about its longevity, and I would like better water resist.

[apmoffatt]

good info here

[explodingtaco]

Here is another one, very nice watch I saw it yesterday:

http://www.prestigetime.com/item.php?item_id=3700

This one is ok, but I dont like blue at all:

http://www.cones-stuff.co.uk/Omega%2...20Co-Axial.htm

[Paulie]

Originally Posted by Paulie

http://bernardwatch.com/Ulysse-Nardin

San Marco GMT - two choices, pre-loved or new in box. A very nice looking piece! Has Romans and in the budget.

The pushers to change the GMT hour is quite interesting:

[Tools]

Originally Posted by explodingtaco

Here is another one, very nice watch I saw it yesterday:

http://www.prestigetime.com/item.php?item_id=3700

The De Ville Co-axial is one fine looking watch..

It would be my choice way before the blue Seamaster..

[Dan Pierce]

For 3K you can buy 2 of these.
dP

[explodingtaco]

ORIS is ok, they are just so thick for being so small of a diameter. But nice none the less.

[leopardprey]

Oris sure does make some nice tool watchs!!!

[frostie]

Originally Posted by Paulie

The pushers to change the GMT hour is quite interesting:

Interesting watch. What's the cost of it?

[leopardprey]

That is a discontinued UN model. You can find them for around $2500 - $3000 on the second hand market. For a new GMT +/- or a Dual Time, with the same push button dual time function and same outstanding bracelet, you can find BNIB on the Grey Market or from an AD with a good discount, for around $4500.

UN Dual time watches are very first rate. Fit and finish is superb. Comfort is superb. Had a friend who had one, and he went swimming with it every day, road his motor bike every day with it, and went skydiving and shooting with it frequently as well. No issues.

[Jedi]

Has anyone seen the Fortis GMT models?? Quite nice in my opinion, and supposedly tough too!!!

[diss]

Some of the Fortis GMT's look pretty nice, I like the Fortis Flieger. But how does Fortis carry as a brand?

I've been looking at a GMT and find myself coming back to Ball Watches alternative, like the Ball Watch Engineer Master II GMT.

[Jedi]

Fortis is a low-key brand making quality robust timepieces. Afterall, Soviet/Russian Cosmonauts have been using them for years.

I like the Ball Engineer Hydrocarbon Master GMT.... wow, what a mouthful, but the Engineer Master GMT II is a bit... well, looks a bit like the Chopard Mille Miglia GT XL (another bloody mouthful) that I've just given my dad... no GMT function though, but Chopard does do a nice GMT with chrono in the Mille Miglia range. They are ETA movements but modified in-house, same as Fortis I believe.