Best Travel Watches: The last year or two have, if nothing else, rekindled a sense of excitement in overseas travel, at least for those who love finding their way through vaccination regimens and testing procedures. Those were the days, it seems when the only thing on everyone’s mind was whether or not the destination’s cocktail hour had begun.
One of the few really helpful complications watchmakers give is the ability to indicate two or more time zones at a glance for the well-prepared traveler. A “complication,” as the term is used in the watch industry, is any feature other than the traditional time display seen on a wristwatch. For those who don’t want to bother remembering the time or using a phone app, a GMT or global timer is the best option.
Aside from the fact that watchmakers and designers have to make trade-offs between simplicity and practicality, displaying numerous time zones is straightforward for you to understand. To establish the second time zone, how do you like it to be done? No, I don’t think that’s necessary. Is it necessary to identify the time zones? Make sure the “journey” time differs enough from what you’ll spend at home. What about locations that are just 30 minutes apart?
Best Travel Watches
Our picks for the greatest mechanical world clocks, ranging from the most affordable to the most expensive, are shown below. Regardless of where your journeys lead you, you’ll be in good hands.
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Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer II Steel Men’s Watch
It’s typical to use a GMT watch like the Rolex Explorer II, which has a conspicuous orange second-hour hand that works on a 24-hour cycle: set this 24-hour hand for your second-time zone, then read the hour of the bezel scale, and minutes as usual.
The additional hand and bezel are the focal points of the watch’s design, and the stark contrast between the hour and GMT hands is meant to enhance rather than detract from the overall aesthetic.
It’s a Rolex, so you know it’ll stand the test of time. For those who are not going between time zones, Rolex points out that it may be handy for differentiating between day and night if you emerge from an Arctic storm in the summertime.
The new model’s casing is still 42mm in diameter (if you like a bigger case, go here). The brand’s 43mm Sea-Dweller and 44mm Deepsea) are excellent options. Explorer II and GMT Master II employ the same caliber 3285 power source, which is new in the Explorer and is already in GMT Master II.
With the 3285 self-winding watches, you get the best of Rolex’s current offerings, including the Chronergy escapement, 70-hour power reserve, and Paraflex shock absorbers driven by the wearer’s movement.
That’s a lot going on. a device that is considerably more precise, efficient, and durable, and that continues to work for much longer after you take it off.
For the time being, you cannot buy a Rolex online. Rolex’s dealer finder may be found by clicking the link below. You’ll want to provide a dealer with this page’s model information.
Product Specifications
| Brand, Seller, or Collection Name | Rolex |
|---|---|
| Part Number | 16570 |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Dial window material type | SAPPHIRE |
| Display Type | Analog |
| Clasp | FOLD OVER |
| Case material | Stainless Steel |
| Case diameter | 40 millimeters |
| Band Material | Stainless Steel |
| Band width | 20 millimeters |
| Band Color | White |
| Dial color | White |
| Bezel material | Stainless Steel |
| Bezel function | 24 HOUR |
| Calendar | QUICK SET |
| Movement | OYSTER PERPETUAL |
Bell and Ross Aviation Black Dial Steel Case Automatic 42 MM Men’s Watch BR-03-92
While the Rolex uses the same method, the BR03-93 GMT’s design is more focused on the watch’s overall aesthetic, which is clearly taken from the modular format of cockpit instruments, an aviation-inspired look that Bell & Ross has dominated throughout the course of its 30-year existence.
There is one notable distinction here: the bezel may be changed, allowing the watch to be used in another time zone (the bezel is rotated however many hours difference between home time and the third zone to see the time in that destination without having to set the watch). However, the smartwatch provides a design presence that Rolex doesn’t seek. Some people will like that; others will think it goes too far. Moreover, the “Coke” appearance of red and black, rather than the “Pepsi” image of red and blue, is certain to catch notice.
Water resistance to 100 meters (330 feet), a 42-hour power reserve, anti-reflective sapphire crystal, and a tiny date display at 4:30 round out the features of this robust 42mm watch. This ultra-resilient synthetic fabric is an alternative to the standard black calfskin leather strap.
Product Specifications
| Brand, Seller, or Collection Name | Bell & Ross |
|---|---|
| Model number | BR-03-92-STEEL |
| Part Number | BR0392-BL-S_ESFERA-42 MM |
| Dial window material type | Sapphire Crystal |
| Display Type | Analog |
| Clasp | Tang Buckle |
| Case diameter | 42 millimeters |
| Case Thickness | 10 |
| Band Color | Black |
| Dial color | Black |
| Bezel material | Stainless Steel |
| Calendar | Date |
| Movement | Automatic |
| Water resistant depth | 100 Meters |
Breitling Superocean Heritage II B20 Automatic 46mm Watch Blue
Chronomat UTC, Breitling’s answer to the demand for world timer watches, is a brutally effective, if not very nuanced, the solution to the problem.
To make matters easier, the Chronomat is already a big piece of equipment, measuring 44 mm by 14.45 mm. After you remove the Chronomat from your wrist, the mechanical movement has a power reserve of 70 hours, which is the amount of time it continues to tick. In addition, it can withstand submersion for up to 200 feet.
Named after Coordinated Universal Time (UTC), which serves as the world’s time standard and doesn’t change during daylight saving, “UTC” has been used as the name of the alternative nomenclature for global timers, which is based on Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
As an all-purpose sports watch, the Chronomat was influenced by Breitling’s 1983 Frecce Tricolori watch, which was designed for the aerobatic fleet of the Italian Air Force. This explains why the second time zone function was put into the strap rather than the watch.
Product Specifications
| Brand, Seller, or Collection Name | Breitling |
|---|---|
| Model number | AB2020161C1S1 |
| Part Number | AB2020161C1S1 |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Dial window material type | Scratch Resistant Sapphire |
| Display Type | Analog |
| Clasp | Deployment Clasp |
| Case material | 46 mm |
| Case diameter | 46 millimeters |
| Case Thickness | 15.00 |
| Band Material | (Aero Classic) Rubber |
| Band width | 24 millimeters |
| Band Color | Blue |
| Dial color | Blue |
| Bezel material | Uni-directional Rotating |
| Bezel function | Unidirectional |
| Calendar | Date |
| Special features | Hour, Minute, Second |
| Movement | Automatic |
| Water resistant depth | 200 Meters |
L.U.C. Time Traveler One in Black by Chopard
The L.U.C Time Traveler One Black by Chopard is an example of a travel watch that uses counter-rotating discs on the edge of the dial to display the time in every time zone simultaneously.
Even though it’s quite simple to understand—the number below the city represents the local time—a skilled designer is required to keep track of the order in which the data is presented. Chopard’s watch is a superb example of how monotone can be used to great advantage.
That monotone color scheme, which extends to the 42mm ceramic titanium casing, gives the Time Traveler One a more contemporary feel (which has a hardness of 700 Vickers when 316L stainless steel has a hardness of 150 to 200 Vickers). It’s not dark, but rather a kaleidoscope of many colors of grey. That’s the key to the watch’s readability.
On the exterior of the dial, there is a city disc with 24 cities from across the world marked on it. The crown at 4 o’clock allows the user to spin this city disc. When the local time is set to noon in the selected city, you may obtain the current time in all 24 locations at once.
Product specifications
| Brand, Seller, or Collection Name | Chopard |
|---|---|
| Model number | 161942-5001 |
| Part Number | 161942-5001 |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Dial window material type | Anti reflective sapphire |
| Display Type | Analog |
| Clasp | Buckle |
| Metal stamp | 750 |
| Case material | 18k rose gold |
| Case diameter | 42 millimeters |
| Band Material | Leather |
| Band Color | Brown alligator leather strap |
| Dial color | Silver |
| Bezel material | 18k rose gold |
| Calendar | Date |
| Special features | Crystal Caseback, Chopard Movement L.U.C 01.05-L |
| Movement | Chopard Automatic-Self-wind |
| Water resistant depth | 50 Meters |
Tag Heuer Autavia Automatic Dark Blue Dial Men’s Watch
In celebration of the 60th anniversary of the Autavia series, TAG Heuer has released three new 2022 models, including two chronograph variants and a three-hand GMT model.
The watch has a 42mm steel casing with a water-resistant depth rating of 100 meters and an automatic movement that will stay operating for up to 50 hours after you remove it from your wrist. The dial is a clean blue with glow-in-the-dark Super-LumiNova-coated numerals and hands.
Strap options include conventional stainless-steel or leather as well as trendy woven NATO bands, making it easy to switch up your watch’s look.
Product specifications
| Brand, Seller, or Collection Name | TAG Heuer |
|---|---|
| Model number | WBE5116.FC8266 |
| Part Number | WBE5116.FC8266 |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Dial window material type | Scratch Resistant Sapphire |
| Display Type | Analog |
| Clasp | Tang Buckle |
| Case material | 42 mm |
| Case diameter | 42 millimeters |
| Band Material | (Calfskin) Leather |
| Band width | 20 millimeters |
| Band Color | Brown |
| Dial color | Blue |
| Bezel material | Bi-Directional Rotating |
| Calendar | Date |
| Movement | Automatic |
| Water resistant depth | 100 Meters |
Citizen Eco-Drive Promaster Diver Men’s Watch
Some GMT watches aren’t as pricey as others. The C63 Sealander GMT by Christopher Ward has a pleasingly traditional design but is a fraction of the price of the other watches on display. With a 39mm stainless steel casing that is water resistant to 150 meters, a power reserve of 56 hours, and a new automatic movement that displays a second-time zone (represented by the huge orange hand), this piece is the first from the company to feature its new automatic movement.
An anti-shock mechanism and a selection of quick-change bands including those produced from recycled ocean plastic are all features of this polished lacquer dial watch.
Previously, Christopher Ward’s dials have been accused of having too much information and clutter, like the 2014 C900 Worldlier, but this time there are no issues. Ingenious and straightforward.
Product specifications
| Brand, Seller, or Collection Name | Citizen |
|---|---|
| Model number | BN0150-28E |
| Part Number | BN0150-28E |
| Item Shape | Round |
| Dial window material type | Mineral |
| Display Type | Analog |
| Clasp | Buckle |
| Case material | Stainless Steel |
| Case diameter | 44 millimeters |
| Case Thickness | 12 millimeters |
| Band Material | Polyurethane |
| Band size | Mens Standard |
| Band width | 20 millimeters |
| Band Color | Black |
| Dial color | Black |
| Bezel material | Stainless Steel |
| Bezel function | Unidirectional |
| Calendar | Date |
| Special features | 3-Hand, Date, Luminous hands and markers |
| Item weight | 16 Ounces |
| Movement | Quartz |
| Water resistant depth | 200 Meters |