[njlam]

Okay, I figured it out. I guess those more experienced with GMT the solution seems rather obvious, but a learning experience to me.

In the instruction manual, to properly set up the watch, you first need to align the GMT hour hand with the local time hand (this is done in the first click position to set the hour). Not only does this unclutter the face, but also reflect the correct time (only) when at home. Once both hour hands are aligned/set, the exact local time can be set with the watch in the second click position.

Care needs to be taken so the dial at the 9 o'clock position reflects the correct am/pm position, and since the GMT and local hour hands are aligned, the hand indicating am/pm works correctly/precisely when the time passes midnight.

Perfect.

Now, when you travel to a different time zone, you can set the correct/local time with the local hand (not the GMT hand) by going to the first click and adjusting. The watch will now reflect the new time zone you are in, but the GMT hand will indicate the time at home.

In this configuration, the am/pm hand movement will be dictated by the GMT hand, as the wearer can obviously tell if it is am or pm where he/she is, but the am/pm dial will indicate am or pm in the home time zone.

I was worried that my 233 had some kind of mechanical glich in it, but it is just user confusion. I confirmed all this with the Panerai concierge