Questions about the GMT

[Heavy_D]

I am new to luxury watches. The GMT Master II interests me the most as I am a commercial rated pilot. I own a small plane and regularly fly, generally only a time zone, maybe 2 time zones away. The GMT is not necessary, but I love the history involving aviation. It also looks sexy.

My question involves size and fit. I cannot find an exhibit GMT at any dealer to try on. My wrist is 7.75 and my hands are not small. The 40mm submariner is too small for me. Is the GMT the same size as a 40mm submariner? If not, how does a GMT wear compared to a 40mm submariner?

Are all GMT the same size? Thank you for your help.

[shedlock2000]

Yes, it wears almost identically, but the sub tends to wear smaller because of the reduced bezel font.

Here’s mine on my 7.75” round wrist:







Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[Watch-Geek]

Maybe try the Explorer II?

If you find the Sub too small for your taste, I think the GMT will feel small too.
Explorer is larger at 42mm and has more presence while still having a GMT function

Sent from my SM-A415F using Tapatalk

[OG1982]

Perfect size for you IMO.

[joli160]

Both wear equal.

Check out a Big Pilot from IWC, really nice watches and much easier to get than a Rolex GMT

[nickjust]

My understanding is that GMT is a bit slimmer and wears flatter on the wrist than the Sub (as the case back doesn't protrude from the bottom of the watch - 100m water resistant vs 300m on the Sub). Also the effective lug-to-lug distance on the GMT with jubilee bracelet is reduced (51 vs 49mm) due to the end links not jutting out as much.

[SLMinATX]

On my 7.5” wrist. It’s not a large watch, I think it’s just about the perfect size. I’ve also owned one on the Oyster bracelet and it seemed to wear a tad bigger, but I didn’t have them at the same time so couldn’t directly compare. Either way, it’s a classic timepiece and I don’t think you’d be disappointed, particularly given your interest in aviation. Cheers.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[brandrea]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

Here’s mine on my 7.75” round wrist:

This should become a sticky post of the perfect wrist shot from a slight distance … really shows how the watch wears and looks on you

[Nads786]

Originally Posted by brandrea

This should become a sticky post of the perfect wrist shot from a slight distance … really shows how the watch wears and looks on you

Agreed these are the kinds of wrist shots we need!

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by brandrea

This should become a sticky post of the perfect wrist shot from a slight distance … really shows how the watch wears and looks on you

Originally Posted by Nads786

Agreed these are the kinds of wrist shots we need!

Thanks!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[amh]

The GMT wears larger than the current Sub41 (it's a faux 41mm, like many other Rolex models.)

[Heavy_D]

Originally Posted by amh

The GMT wears larger than the current Sub41 (it's a faux 41mm, like many other Rolex models.)

That’s good to hear. Now to find one somewhere to try one on…

[Beto737]

The current GMT master II, ie.. the Pepsi or Batman, are 40mm pieces. The
last generation 40mm Submariner wears larger than the current GMT II in my opinion because lugs are thicker. The current 41mm Submariner wears about the same, just better proportions on the lugs.

Given your wrist size and taste, I think you’d be better served with an Explorer II 42mm. The watch is bigger overall, but more importantly, the lug to lug size is about 49-50mm instead of the normal 47mm on GMT master II and Submariner. This provides a better fit to larger wrists.

In case you’re new to the hobby and its practices, it’s next to impossible to allocate a new GMT master II from an Authorized Rolex Dealer. You’d have to go secondary market and pay more than the cost of retail. Keep the blue side up…

[jrsmiles]

Don't want to steer you from Rolex, but IWC Big Pilots are an amazing watch and 100% rooted in aviator history. All kinds of sizes and levels of fanciness/utility to choose from.

[MichelleP]

Originally Posted by Watch-Geek

Maybe try the Explorer II?

If you find the Sub too small for your taste, I think the GMT will feel small too.
Explorer is larger at 42mm and has more presence while still having a GMT function

Sent from my SM-A415F using Tapatalk

^^
this

[SS Oyster]

Yes, essentially same size as sub



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[shedlock2000]

There’s been some noise on here about the EXPII. I have the same size wrist as you, and here’s how the two compare:






As noted above, how they look to others is very different to how they seem to us when we look at them.

I don’t really like how the GMTIIC looks in certain lights, as I don’t like the glossy dial, and I always thought the ExplorerII tooled too big on my wrist. However, looking at both watches as others see them, the GMTIIC is less blingy and shiny, and the EXPII is quite balanced on my wrist.

I should note that I found the 226570 to be quite prone to banging in to things, where the GMTIIC does not. The latter fits better on my wrist, somehow, and the 226570 seemed always to drop forwards to the top on my hand exposing the non-crown side to bangs all the time. Most owners don’t find this problem, but it wasn’t quite as good a fit as the GMTIIC for me.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[B2 Stealth]

Commercial pilot, GA pilot--must have a BLRO. Essential pilot watch. I change the bezel to reflect current time zone numerous times a day while flying as a commercial pilot. My favorite Rolex. A one and done (except I own many more)! The history both as a commercial pilot, military aviator or astronaut is unsurpassed! Much respect. My wife wears a 40mm Submariner and has 41mm Tudors. You can pull it off!

[uansari1]

Originally Posted by shedlock2000

Yes, it wears almost identically, but the sub tends to wear smaller because of the reduced bezel font.

Here’s mine on my 7.75” round wrist:




Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Though I own the same GMTIIc, I have to ask an off topic question…are those Allen Edmonds boots you’re wearing? I have a pair just like them and they are supremely comfortable.

[shedlock2000]

Originally Posted by uansari1

Though I own the same GMTIIc, I have to ask an off topic question…are those Allen Edmonds boots you’re wearing? I have a pair just like them and they are supremely comfortable.

Hahah! No, they’re Loake Bedales with a custom stain. They’re about 14 years old now, and they’ve literally walked around half of Europe! They remain the best boots I’ve ever had.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk