Do people who buy a GMT actually use the feature?.

[Uga2007]

Originally Posted by fozzyf18

I'll throw in my input on this thread for my first post (longtime lurker). Since it is my first post, I will take the liberty of pontificating for more than one sentence or paragraph without regard for earning a ban for being so verbose. I have a 16710 and a TT Sub (2004 and 2002 respectively), both have at least a thousand hours of fighter time under their bracelets/belts. For this thread though, with respect to the GMT II:

My 24 hour hand is always set to GMT time, much as other professional aviators have mentioned previously. Flight plans and weather briefs all reference GMT, a quick look at the wrist tells me when the last forecast was updated, and easy to interpret how far away my takeoff time and land time is in reference. A digital watch or math in my head could accomplish the same task, but I consider both droll. My opinion only.

My 12 hour hand is set to local time always. The hour jump makes quick work of adjusting to local time shortly after I touch down on terra firrma. One hour change or twelve...too easy. I'll change the date if required. Also too easy.

Once I'm away from home, the bezel references local time. I'm not saying this is the right way to employ this timepiece, to each their own, and whatever works for you, well, works.

Other points to emphasize. I hack my watch every single day if required. Can't imagine what I would do if I didn't have the second hand hack function- probably waste minutes of my day or go digital watch with automatic update (ack!). Both my Sub and GMT II are +/- 1 second per day, so most days neither require any action.

My flight brief starts with a time hack and my briefs starts precisely on time to the second, usually 2 hours before takeoff. Flight discipline starts with the brief. After the flight brief, my right engine starts precisely on time, 30 minutes before takeoff...to the second. Quite the symphony when 16 jet engines start on time. Both of those events begin, at least in my briefing room and cockpit, based on my Rolex time. Once I start one of the two engines and the GPS updates it's time, it is satisfying to see that that the time on that awful digital display in my plane matches my archaic but much more classy and classic manual watch on my wrist.

Quite often I recall that some of the best aviators in WWII exhibited some amazing aviation exploits via dead reckoning, utilizing time/distance/heading with watches that share the same pedigree that we all wear and cherish. That was when a watch was a true tool to the aviators.

My GMT II Pepsi is a "tool" and a "professional" watch by every definition, and I use it as such without regard for how many dents, dings, or scratches it suffers bouncing off the steel canopy rails or other horrible afflictions that it may encounter in the coffin-like pressurized harsh environment it lives in but to me it is much more than than a tool. It is a mechanical masterpiece, and that is why I wear it every day proudly. And I look at it every day and enjoy it because in comparison I look at it and compare it to an issued very expensive yet gaudy Garmin GPS watch. I wore that Garmin on one flight and ditched it. Like school in the summertime...no class.

I also want to pretend for at least a moment that I might be as cool as Magnum P.I. I am aware that the the GMT II is not the GMT that he sported in the series, but since ny watch is a Pepsi, I figure I'm close enough. And it makes me feel cool. That's all I have to say about that.

Lastly, in my world, there was for a short period of time, a well-traveled rumor that when you pull heavy g-forces for an extended period of time during a flight dogfighting, the g's would slow down a rolex since it is mechanical and the g forces c could naturally slow down a mechanical watch. At the time, this all made sense to me. After flying and fighting these fine watches for over 17 years in every climb and lplace, I am happy to report that although Mr. Newton is alive and well with respect to aerodynamic and fighter tactics, he has never negatively or positively affected the time accuracy of my GMT II, and he has never occupied my cockpit outside the laws of physics.

This is just the way I do it,

Great post and thank you for your service!

[Rolexfellow]

My house lies in two different time zones so it comes in handy depending where in the house I am...

[cdubg21]

I set the GMT hand to my home time, then any time I travel to a different time zone I just quick set the hour hand to local time. So I use it but not to a “T” as intended

[Dr.Smellody]

Yes. I always know what time it is in London Town.

[RCrusoe]

Dealing with business in multiple time zones, I use the GMT almost every day. I use my GMT II's to track two (or even three) time zones.