2022 Year in Review: 6 New Travel Watches
Once again continuing our annual yearly round up, today we look at more of the most exciting and innovative watch releases that broke onto the scene in 2022. And with travel truly back in action we’re recapping a collection of jet-setting travel watch companions to land on the year.
Montblanc 1858 GMT Automatic Date
While most GMT watches feature an additional hand to indicate a second time zone, Montblanc omits the additional hand its 1858 GMT Automatic Date, that model to make its debut in May of this year. Instead, the intuitive second time zone is presented via a red square that moves around the periphery of the dial. This red square is positioned next to the fixed 24-hour bezel which is made of black or blue anodized aluminum and provides utmost contrast and visibility. An additional highlight of this sophisticated approach is the display of half hours increments that are indicated by a red rectangle. Montblanc opts for a 42mm steel case that houses the automatic caliber MB 24.33.
The new Montblanc 1858 GMT Automatic Date retails for $3,515 on a rubber strap or $3,730 on a bracelet.
Norqain Adventure Neverest 41mm GMT Steel & Gold Limited Edition
Still relatively new to the scene, Swiss watchmaker Norqain placed its focus on its hardy Adventure Neverest collection with the launch of the Adventure Neverest 41mm GMT Steel & Gold Limited Edition in early 2022. The watch takes its foremost cues from the design first established in the original 2021-launch, with the new two-tone novelty recalling a supremely sporty style particularly geared towards the travel watch category.
The model takes shape in a 41mm case with brushed finishing and luxurious accents of polishing for contrast. A fixed inner 24-hour scale, 3 o’clock date window, and red-accented GMT hand add to the watch’s daily and travel functionality, while a pair of sword hands and arrow-tipped seconds counter work to keep track of the running time.
The total production for the Norqain Adventure Neverest 41mm GMT Steel & Gold Limited Edition is limited to 100 editions retailing at $5,500 on a steel bracelet, and $5,290 on a rubber strap.
Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT Limited Edition
Watches and Wonders made its way back to Geneva this year for the first major event post-pandemic, and with it came a slew of new releases, including the Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT Limited Edition. The Presage Sharp Edged GMT Limited Edition is among five new timepieces to join Seiko’s Presage Sharp Edged series in 2022 and celebrates a distinctively modern Japanese design style.
The model features a moderate 42.2mm steel case that houses the self-winding caliber 6R64. Completing the sleek look of the watch is a deep blue dial with a refined hemp leaf motif-texture and complimentary ceramic inlay bezel. With a wide dial and legible markings on the bezel, the time, GMT function, power reserve and date can all be read in a single glance.
The Seiko Presage Sharp Edged GMT Limited Edition is limited to 900 pieces that each retail for $1,550.
Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Travel Time
Another notable travel watch that made its debut at this year’s Watches and Wonders is the Annual Calendar Travel Time from Patek Philippe. The watch is the premiere model from the brand to combine a GMT functionality with an annual calendar, made possible by the caliber 31-260 PS QA LU FUS 24H. The travel time mechanism that controls the annual calendar enables the correction of the date both forwards and backwards. On the exterior, the model sports a 41mm white-gold case with a brown-gray granular dial complete with white-gold applied indices and black and white calendar indicators. The layout is complete with a subsidiary seconds aperture and integrated moon-phase indication at 6 o’clock.
The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Travel Time retails for $76,880.
Formex Reef GMT Automatic Chronometer 300M
Formex made waves in August with a new GMT spring-off of its Reef collection of diver’s watches. Working to blend cool styling with rugged durability, the Reef GMT Automatic Chronometer 300M was created as an adventure-ready travel watch that is capable of displaying three different time zones.
The model measures 42mm in diameter by 11.4mm in height and takes shape in the signature Formex Reef design. On the perimeter of the dial, the sleek bezel displays a 24-hour scale with a 48-click design to correspond with the GMT functionality. Though the Reef GMT includes many design qualities shared by the dive watch category, it is not explicitly a dive watch. Formex has updated the bezel design to include a piston ratcheting system that grants it with bidirectional motion, securing its versatile capabilities as a travel watch.
Pricing for the Formex Reef GMT Automatic Chronometer 300M starts at $1,800.
Bell & Ross GMT BR05 White
To wrap up our travel watch recap, let’s take it back to our own WatchTime New York collector’s event this past October. During the exciting weekend, we saw new releases from over 30 brands in person, including some from French brand Bell & Ross. Entering the travel watch category is the BR05 GMT White, which joins the brand’s sleek BR05 sports watch collection, but debuts the GMT capability.
The model sports the familiar rounded-corner square case that is characteristic of Bell & Ross, this time occupying a diameter of 41mm with a height of 11.07mm. With a satin-finished and polished steel exterior, the design is complete with a silver-white opaline dial with a contrasting red GMT hand ticking on top. Inside the watch ticks the automatic Bell & Ross caliber BR-CAL.325 with a 42-hour power reserve and water resistance up to 100 meters.
The Bell & Ross GMT BR05 White is available via the brand’s website and at select retailers for a price of $5,000 on a rubber strap and $5,500 on a steel bracelet.
