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Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Outbyte PC Repair FREEClear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →Fratello’s December 22, 2023 roundup named ten GMT watches its editorial favorites of the year, from an accessible microbrand model to precious-metal Rolexes. It is a year-end opinion list—not a controlled comparison or a ranking of today’s prices and availability. The watches below are presented with the specifications and prices reported at publication; those figures are historical, not current buying guidance. Read Fratello’s original roundup.
What Fratello’s 2023 list covers
Written by Jorg Weppelink with input from Fratello’s editors, the roundup selected ten releases or models highlighted during 2023. The choices reflect editorial taste, and the article acknowledges that a ten-watch list leaves out other candidates. It does not describe a standardized test or a market-wide ranking.
The published prices below are the amounts Fratello reported in 2023, in the currencies it used. They should not be treated as current retail prices. Likewise, any stock or limited-availability observation refers to the article’s publication period unless otherwise noted.
Fratello’s ten GMT picks
1. Rolex GMT-Master II 126713GRNR and 126718GRNR
Fratello’s top pick was the new gray-and-black-bezel GMT-Master II in two versions: Rolesor, combining steel and yellow gold, and full yellow gold. Both have a 40mm case, black dial and automatic caliber 3285. The Rolesor model came on a Jubilee bracelet. The article listed publication-era prices of €16,450 for Rolesor and €38,800 for yellow gold.
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#1 Best Overall
- Case Size: 41.00 mm, Band Width: 20.00 mm, Case Thickness: 13.80 mm
- Automatic movement, Powermatic 80 GMT, Nivachron, Index dial type, GMT
- Band Type : Leather, Band Length: 185 mm
- Water-resistant up to a pressure of 20 bar (200 m / 660 ft): suitable for short periods of recreational swimming and showering, but no diving or snorkeling.
- 2 Year International Warranty
2. Longines Spirit Zulu Time 39mm
Longines expanded the Spirit Zulu Time with four 39mm configurations: three in steel and one two-tone. Fratello reported a 13.5mm thickness, 47mm lug-to-lug length and 100m water resistance. The COSC-certified caliber L844.4 has a silicon balance spring and a stated 72-hour power reserve; Fratello described it as flyer-style.
The roundup listed steel versions at €3,400–€3,500 and the two-tone versions at €4,700–€4,800, depending on strap or bracelet. It also mentioned a titanium collaboration with Hodinkee later in 2023 at €4,200. These are the prices printed in the 2023 article, not verified current prices.
3. Tudor Black Bay GMT “Opaline”
The 2023 Opaline version brought a light dial to the Black Bay GMT while retaining the model’s general specifications. Fratello reported a 41mm case, 14.5mm thickness, a blue-and-red bezel and a COSC-certified, Kenissi-produced MT5652 movement with a 70-hour reserve. The article calls its GMT action flyer-style. Publication prices were €4,360 on bracelet and €4,040 on fabric strap.
4. Seiko Prospex Alpinist GMT SPB377 and SPB379
These two Alpinist GMTs pair a 39.5mm case with either a blue dial (SPB377) or black dial (SPB379). Fratello gives their dimensions as 13.6mm thick and 46.4mm lug-to-lug. A 24-hour scale is placed in the steel bezel. The caliber 6R54 has a 72-hour reserve and is described as caller-style; the article listed a 2023 price of €1,200 for either reference.
Rank #2
- BLUE DIAL: this handsome men’s watch features a striking deep blue dial with luminous dial indicator hands and markers and date calendar to keep you organized
- BLUE & BLACK BEZEL: with a 24-hour bezel and easy-to-read fourth hand, this GMT watch helps you keep time as you travel
- DURABLE UTILITY: these versatile men’s wrist watches feature a 42.5mm stainless steel watch case and bracelet, for a classic, timeless look.
- WATER-RESISTANT: this rugged sports watch is water-resistant up to 100 meters
- 4R34 CALIBER: equipped with the reliable 4R34 caliber, these automatic watches for men ensure the most accurate in self winding timekeeping, with 41 hours of reserve power and manual winding option
5. Christopher Ward C65 Dune GMT
The C65 Dune GMT stands out in the list for its compact reported dimensions: 38mm across, 11.9mm thick and 43.7mm lug-to-lug. Its 24-hour scale sits around the dial’s edge. The Sellita SW330-2 is a caller-style movement with a 56-hour reserve. Weppelink praised the bracelet, clasp and perceived build quality, calling the watch “best-in-class”—his judgment, not an independent award. Fratello reported €1,610 at publication.
6. Traska Venturer GMT
Fratello highlighted the 2023 mint-green version of the Venturer, whose Miyota 9075 is a flyer-style GMT movement with a 42-hour reserve. The article reports a 38.5mm width, 10mm thickness excluding the crystal, and 46mm lug-to-lug. Its listed price was US$720, and the mint-green model was sold out when the article was written. Both price and availability are historical snapshots, not indications of present stock.
7. Serica 8315-2 GMT Chronomètre Desert Red
The Desert Red combines a brown-and-white ceramic bezel with a 39mm case. Fratello reports 13.2mm thickness and 46.5mm lug-to-lug. Inside is a COSC-certified Soprod C125, with a stated 42-hour reserve and accuracy of +6/-4 seconds per day. The article listed the price at €1,890 including VAT.
8. Grand Seiko SBGM253
Launched alongside the SBGJ275 in August 2023 to mark 25 years of Grand Seiko’s 9S movements, the SBGM253 has a 39.5mm steel case measuring 13.7mm thick. Fratello reports 3-bar water resistance, caliber 9S66 and a 72-hour reserve. Production was limited to 1,700 pieces, and the article gave a price of €6,300. Its note that the watch had not sold out online applied only at the time of publication.
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Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsFree Scan →9. Citizen Series 8 GMT
Citizen’s Series 8 GMT arrived in two standard steel versions—described as “Pepsi” and “Batman” colorways—and a two-tone limited edition of 1,300 pieces. The reported dimensions are 41mm wide, 13.4mm thick and 47mm lug-to-lug. Its automatic caliber 9054 is flyer-style, with a 50-hour reserve and stated standard accuracy of +20/-10 seconds per day. Fratello listed 2023 prices of €1,195 and €1,295 for the steel variants.
10. Unimatic Modello Uno U1S-C-GMT-H / U1S Carbon GMT for Hodinkee
This collaboration uses a forged-carbon outer case with a titanium inner case. Fratello reports a 40mm diameter and 11.6mm thickness excluding the domed crystal. The automatic ETA 2893-2 has a 42-hour reserve. The edition was limited to 250 pieces and priced at US$2,900 in the article; its availability note was specific to December 2023.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Flyer-style and caller-style GMTs: what changes
“GMT” describes a watch’s ability to show another time zone, but the traveler’s convenience depends on which hand moves independently. In a flyer-style movement, the local hour hand can be adjusted separately, making it possible to change local time while keeping the minutes and reference time undisturbed. In a caller-style movement, the independently adjusted hand is typically the 24-hour/GMT hand, which is useful for tracking another time zone but less direct when resetting local time after a flight.
Fratello explicitly describes the Tudor, Longines, Traska and Citizen movements as flyer-style, and the Christopher Ward as caller-style. It also identifies the Seiko as caller-style. The roundup does not assign a style to every watch on the list, so no further classification is implied here.
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How the list spans price and design
On the publication-era figures, the range runs from Traska’s US$720 Venturer GMT to the Rolex GMT-Master II in yellow gold at €38,800. Those examples use different currencies, and the original article does not provide a common-currency comparison. Between them, the choices vary in case material, dimensions, bezel and dial treatment, movement behavior and limited-edition status. The list offers a set of editorially favored options, not evidence of category-wide sales or market share.
Quick Recap
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
