Daytonas, GMTs, Explorers, Subs, etc.

[Art161]

I am curious as to how many of you who have watches that are chronographs, show time in more than one time zone, etc. actually use those functions. Or did you purchase the watch based on its appearance?

I have seen quite a few photos of GMTs, but it seems rare to see one where the twenty four hour and and twelve hour hands are set to different times. The bezels also seem to have the 24 position in alignment with the 12 position on the dial in the vast majority of photos.

Thanks.

[frostie]

Well you can set the hour hand to whatever time you like and still keep the bezel at the 24 hour position

I use mine only when i travel or want to call some relatives that live far away from my country

[mike]

I've used the GMT function a lot.

[BigHat]

I use the second TZ on my GMT and Panny 233 all the time, not only when on travel, but when keeping track of friends on travel.

Aside from timing steaks, my chronos don't get much use. If it's important enough to really know the lapsed time, I go digital.

[Milgauss-Green]

I buy them because they look good,I buy them because is a ROLEX,I buy them for the resale value and the GMT I used when traveling Europe fro 3 or 4 weeks.And if someday I take a tout in a yellow submarine I use the sub,and if the yellow submariner go too deep I use the sea dweller

[Atlanta]

I keep my third hand on 24hr time and use the bezel when traveling, which is not often.

[Sam Taha]

Before I got my Submariner I had a Mido Chronograph (picture) which I used often for various purposes. Now obviously I wear my Sub and I kind of miss having that function.

By the way, sorry for going off topic but I have to say that the quality and durability of Mido watches is extraordinary for their price (mine is also COSC certified chronometer). Absolutely excellent value for the money. I miss wearing it but sorry Mido, Rolex wins ;-)

[Jason Spring]

I use a lot my bezel, and my chrono function for cooking.
It s not "sportwear" but "cookwear"

[cocopeep]

I only use my new GMT II ceramic for time & date use

[shoppy]

Being in the army, I use the 2nd time zone a lot on my travels.

[gmtobsessed]

I use my GMT feature all the time, normal hour hand for the time where I live,
and 24hr hand for the time in my hometown

[SLS]

Here is a pick showing local California time and Hawaii time...happy now!

~Scott

[Steven79]

i've only played with the the chrono function on my daytona a few times.. because i was bored. i don't ever plan on really using it.

[Brianm]

I use the chrono function on my Omega on occaisionally to time things, most recently to time a long distance call so I knew just how mad my wife would be. :)

I always kept my GMT to 24 hour time, comes in handy sometimes when programming. (And I could always find north!)

I used the bezel on my TOG to time my wifes birth pangs. :)

[genphideaux]

I have my GMT set to Zulu time for use at work. I work with several customers in Japan and Iraq.

[Mrdi]

Chronographs aren't designed for two time zones.
The 2 time zone function is the GMT.
My GMT's 2nd time Zone is dialed in to Paris time..
Just never know when she will call.

[Tools]

I don't think you can lump watch use into watch photography so easily..

Here is my GMT Master set for flight planing on the West Coast..

[Phill (UK)]

Hardly a day goes by without me taking a dip to 4000ft or dabbling with 1000gauss magnetic fields

[Mrdi]

My Exp gets called on for its primary function on a regular basis

[Dan Pierce]

As a traveler I use the GMT's 2nd timezone often. And I employ the chrono function for both personal and work related use.
On the GMT I set the hour hand to that of my destination w/ the 24 hour hand set to "home time". But when home both are set to "home" or local time and the bezel is used to show the 2nd time zone. In the case of the last pic, 14 hours ahead to Guam time.
dP

[ROLEX MAN]

use the stop watch function rarely!

[ramz7887]

I use my exp2 for the second time zone when ever I'm traveling. But when i'm stuck at home I set it to the next destination I wanna visit. I like the exp2 as a travel watch since it doesn't get as much attention when your in other countrys.

[sea-dweller]

I use the GMT function when traveling internationally. I also use the 'time lapse' bezel on my Subs/SD to time short events (parking meters, etc).

Originally Posted by Art161

I am curious as to how many of you who have watches that are chronographs, show time in more than one time zone, etc. actually use those functions. Or did you purchase the watch based on its appearance?

I have seen quite a few photos of GMTs, but it seems rare to see one where the twenty four hour and and twelve hour hands are set to different times. The bezels also seem to have the 24 position in alignment with the 12 position on the dial in the vast majority of photos.

Thanks.

[hicksds]

I often travel and use the 24h hand on my GMT IIc. Yet, admittedly, the green hand had an aesthetic pull on me as I deliberated on which Rolex to purchase.

[Atlanta]

Originally Posted by Phill (UK)

Hardly a day goes by without me taking a dip to 4000ft or dabbling with 1000gauss magnetic fields

You should get a GMT - then you can fly around in a time machine like the rest of us.

[Mrdi]

So it seems the GMTs are used for dual time function!
Imagine that?
They are also aesthetically appealing and have a reputation for stalwart longevity and reliance.
You bunch of wimps, do you mean that you buy these watches for use and abuse?

[pwrslider]

Originally Posted by Atlanta

I keep my third hand on 24hr time and use the bezel when traveling, which is not often.

Ditto!

[ashu2289]

Originally Posted by Art161

I am curious as to how many of you who have watches that are chronographs, show time in more than one time zone, etc. actually use those functions. Or did you purchase the watch based on its appearance?

I have seen quite a few photos of GMTs, but it seems rare to see one where the twenty four hour and and twelve hour hands are set to different times. The bezels also seem to have the 24 position in alignment with the 12 position on the dial in the vast majority of photos.

Thanks.

I surely use the GMT function and always my GMT's fourth hand is set to the time in India.
For chronographs I rarely ever use it

[marshallr47]

Originally Posted by mike

I've used the GMT function a lot.

x2

[lorsban]

I am curious as to how many of you who have watches that are chronographs, show time in more than one time zone, etc. actually use those functions. Or did you purchase the watch based on its appearance?

Probably the only other function I use besides time is the date function. Maybe the day function as well. I've got a diver's watch and a chronograph as well but I really don't use the diver's time lapse function nor the chronograph.

I don't have a GMT but I could probably use that for when I travel. Considering the cost, though it probably makes more sense to just set the time to local or do some calculations to get the right time. Or better yet, check the phone which usually has a world time feature.

Still, the question again is; given that it's much cheaper or easier to rely on the phone, use your head a little and stick to just an ordinary watch, why do we insist on getting these secondary features on our watches?

For me, it's two things; aesthetics and how cool it is having those extras happening in such a small package. I saw a chronograph working on a skeleton watch a few months ago and was so totally awed by all the engineering that go into these watches. Or how about those complications? Wow. Moon Phase, 2nd time, chrono, calendar, power reserve, depth gauge, temperature(?), etc, etc...It's truly amazing to have these things all working in unison yet separate from each other in a case an inch or so in size.