From SwissWatchExpo… Spotlight on: Dual Time versus GMT watches.
What’s the difference?
For frequent travelers and globetrotters, a watch that tells time, in more than one
time zone, is incredibly useful.
Just like chronographs and calendars, the GMT and Dual Time are very practical complications.
Both display the time in two time zones at once; but use different mechanisms.
So what’s the difference between a Dual Time and GMT watch? And which one is right
for you? Let’s find out.
A Dual Time watch is very straightforward. It shows the wearer two different times, at
the same time.
The second timezone, is usually shown on a subdial, using a 12-hour time frame. Think
of it as a dial, within your dial! Sometimes, a dual time subdial can include both hours,
and minutes.
If the subdial tells time on a 12-hour scale, it often includes a subtle AM-PM indication,
so you can tell if its day or night in the second timezone you’re monitoring.
Most people would use the main dial to display the local time, and the subdial to display
their home time zone. With a Dual Time, you’ll never be confused about the time difference
again!
The GMT watch also shows you two timezones at once, but requires a little math, and some
adjustment.
The GMT, stands for Greenwich Mean Time, which is the starting point, on the 24-hour scale
of international timezones. From there, each timezone is computed ahead, or plus GMT, or
behind, or minus GMT.
Most GMT watches, have the traditional hour and minute hand, to tell time on the 12-hour
markers. And then another, independently adjustable 24-hour hand, usually in a color or design,
that makes it stand out.
In the case of the very popular, Rolex GMT-Master, the 24-hour hand, is marked by an arrow.
The second timezone is displayed on the bezel, as you see here. The rotatable bezel, can
be adjusted forward, or backward, depending on the time difference.
Due to advances in travel and technology, it’s now more common to do business around
the globe. For that purpose, one should consider getting a World Time watch.
While Dual Time and GMT watches display two timezones at once, a World Time watch gives
a quick overview of all 24 timezones worldwide.
In addition to a 24-hour time display, an outer rotating ring, displays cities across
the globe. These correspond to all 24 timezones, telling you their current time, in one glance.
So, to read two timezones at once – go for the straightforward Dual Time, or the more
sophisticated GMT. To monitor time in multiple cities - a World Time watch is your best bet.
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