The Best Affordable GMT Watches Under $1000 | 15 Top Picks With Pros & Cons
(This page features affiliate links, for more information click here.)
GMTs are those models that you may have seen, that have four hands, rather than the ever-present two or three; the added one being used to keep track of a second timezone. This gives them a distinctive look, as well as some added functionality if you’re a travel junkie.
Thanks to the release of new, lower-cost movements, the number of budget GMTs has exploded over the last couple of years. For the most part, this is great; the more choices, the merrier! However, even I have been feeling analysis paralysis from this recent tsunami of GMTs.
Which ones are actually the best? Which have that special sauce that makes them worth considering?
Well, to save you some time, I’ve painstakingly tried dozens of GMTs over the last few months, and in this post, I’ll be sharing with you 15 of my favorites: the models I think offer something unique in one way or another, all at an affordable price. We’ve got big brands, small brands, different colors, multiple sizes; essentially, if you can’t find something here, you never will!
Crucially, unlike most posts on this topic, I’ve actually trialed these watches in the flesh. I’m not just flashing up stock images; I mean, we can all read a spec sheet, can’t we? Oh, and they’re actually affordable, too; they finish at a grand, not start there!
Quartz GMTs
First up, quartz GMTs. Now make sure you don’t overlook these! True, there are barely any choices in this category, as quartz hasn’t received the same degree of experimentation as the automatics.
However, there are some surprising options in here.
Q Timex GMT
This first one looks absolutely phenomenal and is definitely my favorite. It’s the Q-Timex GMT, by Timex, and admittedly, it’s far from the most impressive on paper. Acrylic crystal, a quartz movement under the hood, and a bracelet that’s mediocre at best.
Nevertheless, it’s one of the lowest-cost GMTs available, and by gosh, you’d never know. In person, it’s a stunner.
The measurements are perfect. At 38mm wide and with a particularly slim case, the GMT wears extremely well on just about anybody, just like its forebearer, the original Q-Timex Reissue. However, the GMT has received some minor alterations, such as a glossier dial and applied hour markers, which elevate the look to a major degree. When side by side, the standard Q-Timex almost looks like a fake knock-off.
As I mentioned in the unboxing video, the GMT feels like the Q Timex in its final form. The watch the original model was always meant to be. The bracelet, while not great, as I alluded to, is still much less of a hair-nipper than the first iteration, though there aren’t any micro-adjustments, which is rather frustrating.
Thankfully, the GMT version is powered by a Swiss Ronda movement, a far quieter unit than the noisy Seiko PC33A found in the back of the standard Q-Timex. Of course, the battery hatch still comes in handy for speedy changes.
It’s not the best-made watch for the money, but it is a fantastic-looking choice from a historically significant watch brand.
The Q Timex GMT is one of my favorite recent pickups, and I’ll 100% be keeping it for the foreseeable.
Addiesdive
If you want a quartz GMT with a better price-to-performance ratio, Chinese retailer AliExpress is where you’ll want to head.
Both standout options here are from Addiesdive. As with another brand I’ll be mentioning later, Addiesdive rose to prominence with their ethically questionable ‘homage’ watches (aka rebranded clones of luxury watch designs).
However, both of these watches are more like half-homages, with dials that look akin to the Grand Seiko Elegance GMT but with minor changes and notably different cases. If anything, one of the cases looks like it’s instead been nicked from rival Chinese brand San Martin. The homage brands are now stealing from each other!
So, they won’t be winning originality awards, but they aren’t one-to-one copies, so I don’t feel too bad for recommending them.
Crucially, for well under £100/$100 each, these are easily the best-value quartz GMTs I’ve seen from a spec perspective; aside from some of the more blatant clones. They’ve got comparable performance and actually slightly better materials than the Timex, for less money, including either sapphire or mineral crystal, depending on the model.
At present, there’s a sporty version with a bezel and a dressier one without; the former comes in beige only, while the latter can be bought in either beige or white. Out of the two, I just about prefer the latter, simply given the logo is a tad less offensive, though I don’t think they look as crisp as the Q Timex.
If you’re on a super tight budget though, these 38mm Addiesdive’s are surprisingly capable cheap choices, especially if you have a smaller wrist.
Citizen
For something more mainstream, this Citizen may be worth considering instead. It’s the Citizen Endeavor BJ7140, one of the few solar-powered GMT watches that doesn’t cost an arm and a leg. Now, even this one is likely discontinued, as it’s out of stock almost everywhere, though Amazon seems to have a fair amount of stock left, for now, at least.
If you have a large enough arm, this 44mm beast has some admirable inclusions, such as a rotating internal bezel, sapphire crystal, and a class-leading 200m water resistance rating alongside a multi-tiered dial.
Admittedly, I think Citizen has released some far, far better-looking watches than this in recent times. The case is simplistic and bulbous and while complex, the design is rather cluttered. Oddly, the main branding text is applied on a raised transparent layer, creating unneccessary shadows.
Nevertheless, solar GMTs with specs like this at this price are about as easy to come by as a lottery win, so that has to count for something! The integrated-looking bracelet on this one is also serviceable and replaceable, though you may be limited by the narrow lug width.
For those of you who want something big and durable for added timezone monitoring, it’s a no-frills safe bet.
Boldr Venture GMT
Similar could be said of the next watch, which finds itself in the same boat. The quartz Boldr Venture GMT is the follow-up to the highly-praised Venture automatic field watch that I reviewed a few years back. Like the Citizen, this Boldr is built primarily for performance and is only present on grey market sites at the time of posting.
It’s a shame, because if you can get this one, it offers a completely different look and form factor to anything else on this list. It has this somewhat stubby, compact 38mm titanium case, with hooded lugs and probably the grippiest crown in the watch industry. It’s got an array of top-tier specs packed into that extremely lightweight body, such as a sapphire crystal and a diver-rivalling 20ATM water resistance rating, with a hefty case rear.
As a side effect of this big screwback, you are left with an unfortunately thick profile for a quartz watch, akin to their automatic Venture models. When combined with the NATO-style strap, it wears quite tall on the wrist.
If you decide to track this one down, I’d either factor in the cost of the titanium bracelet, for that perfectly integrated look or consider substituting the stock band for a two-piece third-party alternative to keep the overall package as slim as possible.
Now, I have the blue one, which is the only one I could track down, and I have to say this quartz GMT is slightly better looking than the blue mechanical version I reviewed, though if I had the choice, the Khaki would have been my preferred pick.
Whether the Venture GMT will ever be restocked remains to be seen, but it’s one of the better quartz options if you’re lucky enough to snag it. The harsh, angular shape is something you don’t see every day.
Momentum Watches
One final brand worth mentioning, that I didn’t have time to get hold of for this article, is Momentum. They make a few different quartz and solar quartz GMTs. They’re supposed to be quite good, but they wouldn’t have arrived in time for filming.
Automatic Watches
Now we have the automatics. There are no shortage of these, so I’ve split them into categories
Let’s start with the “spec monsters”. I know a lot of you guys are solely after the most value-oriented pieces from a build and material perspective, so here are several to quench your thirst.
Boderry Admiral
First up, there can be no option other than the Boderry Admiral. Despite sounding like an Irish R&B singer, Chinese company Boderry makes what can only be described as the ultimate “cheap GMT killer.”
For a retail price often lower than most quartz GMTs, Boderry is somehow offering up a titanium timepiece that’s topped with a sapphire crystal and powered by a Seiko NH34 mechanical movement!
No doubt, this is an extremely impressive, if not slightly concerning, accomplishment. So, if you care purely about specs for the money, the Admiral GMT is the runaway winner. In fact, it’s clear that’s all this brand was targeting. I mean, even the case rear directly says “Titanium & 200m”, phrasing I’ve never seen before; if that’s not catering to the spec junkies, I don’t know what is!
Most aspects of this watch are pretty decent, and at 40.5mm, the size is relatively serviceable, too.
It’s main shortcoming is in the visual department. While it doesn’t look bad for the money, the design is pretty stale, and the brand name... it’s a mess isn’t it! Also, the bracelet, while surprisingly being constructed primarily of titanium, also has no microadjustment holes.
Additionally, at such a low retail price, quality control will always be a concern. There are some reports of buyers experiencing water leakage despite the claimed 200m water resistance rating, though others seem to have no issues.
All in all though, you won’t find a dive-style GMT that beats this on the spec front.
AliExpress Homages
It’s worth also mentioning here that just like with the quartz GMTs, there are plenty of automatic luxury watch clones on AliExpress, offering similarly turbocharged specifications for rock-bottom prices.
San Martin SN0129
One brand that would have sat plum in that category a few years back is San Martin. They do still make plenty of these “clomages”, but these days, they sometimes dip their toes into the originality pool.
In recent times, they have produced some truly stonking watches, all starting with this, the SN0129. The SN0129 is nothing short of outrageous for the money in all its guises. It basically redefines what can be obtained for under £300 or $300. The original version houses a remarkably executed three-dimensional dune dial and exceptional case finishing; which, when combined, helps the SN0129 look shockingly premium from both close up and at a distance.
While numerous other SN0129 variants have subsequently been released, perhaps the best one is the Aventurine model, which boasts an intoxicating starry night effect normally reserved for much more expensive watches.
While the dials are the clear standout, the SN0129 also packs all the specs you can think of, including domed sapphire, big water resistance, and a Seiko automatic movement. It even has a great concealed adjustment system. If you want more information, definitely check out the full review here.
As pointed out by some commenters, the design is reminiscent of an existing Grand Seiko GMT, which has a similar bezel and case, but I’d say this San Martin easily has enough unique elements to never be mistaken for the Seiko in the flesh.
With a bezel just shy of 38mm, a 39mm diameter, and a 46.5mm lug-to-lug, the size is extremely forgiving for a wide variety of wrists, too, meaning the watch has very few obvious flaws.
The only recurring issue I’ve experienced with San Martin is that their bracelets, while nicely finished, do sometimes ship with a stiff link or two. Additionally, I know the logo isn’t everyone’s favorite, though I think it’s more than passable and a darn sight better than San Martin’s previous efforts!
San Martin SN0116
Aside from that model, San Martin has a couple of other GMTs that are worth briefly mentioning. The best of the bunch is comfortably the SN0116. This one is probably the slimmest mechanical GMT on this list, at only 12.3mm with the crystal and just over 10mm without it. It’s a cleaner design than the SN0129, with all the same strong specifications and a comparable 39.5mm diameter. The root beer colorway, in particular, with all the gilded appendages, is very, very pretty for the money.
They’ve since released some experimental non-GMT versions of this watch, though the standard variant is still my favorite. It’s quite a different fit than the 129, with that thinner profile and a longer 47mm lug to lug, so it’s pushing the boundaries of what my tiny wrist can accommodate, though this will probably fit most of you reading.
San Martin SN0130
If you have a much bigger wrist than myself, the much meatier SN0130 is probably worth a look instead. As you may have guessed by the codename, this is a sequel to the SN0129 I mentioned earlier, and it is very similar, though this time it comes with a very subtle dark mother-of-pearl dial, which is probably the best implementation of that material I’ve encountered.
That said, this one ain’t ever fitting me. At 42mm it’s much bigger, but it may be preferable for those of you who want that extra wrist presence.
Good Specs
Wise ADX-110
The final model rounding out this category comes from Thai microbrand Wise. Now, the ADX-110 is a fairly good-looking watch on the surface, with some exquisitely executed hour markers and hands that are probably the shiniest I’ve ever seen.
Nevertheless, it’s the hidden details that are arguably more impressive. For around $700, this Wise uses the same case material as Rolex, 904L stainless steel, as opposed to the more typical 316L steel used by the vast majority of watch brands.
904L is harder to work with than 316L, due to it having a different chemical composition, so it has a higher production cost and normally is only found in very high-end watches. The reason it’s even used is because, when appropriately machined, 904L yields a higher polish than 316L, enhancing its beauty. Not that 316L looks bad or anything... it’s just that 904L edges it out!
You’ll on the images that the case on this Wise watch has a luster that tops even a more expensive 316L offering, which I’ll be mentioning later. Overall, very, very snazzy.
It’s also worth noting that 904L also has a couple of minor performance advantages too, primarily by way of enhanced corrosion resistance, useful for aquatic use. From my previous Mohs scratch tests, it also appears to be marginally more scratch-resistant.
So, why else is a $700 watch in the “spec monster” section? Well, there’s another reason for the elevated price, and that’s the movement. Inside the ADX-110 is the Miyota 9075 “True” GMT movement. Now, this is quite different from the units powering most of the GMTs on this list.
Most of the budget GMTs are what’s known as ‘Caller’ style GMTs. They’re made to allow you to adjust the GMT hand independently, so you can alter the second timezone in a pinch. The name comes from the fact that these are best suited to someone who will be tracking a second timezone while remaining in the same location. Think maybe a remote worker who needs to coordinate with colleagues who operate in a different timezone, or perhaps a relative is on their travels and you want to stay informed on the time in their current location; should they fly elsewhere, you can switch the GMT hand to stay in sync.
Instead, the ADX houses a “True” or “Traveler” GMT. These are tailored for the opposite sort of situation, if you’re the one doing a lot of traveling! Here, you can’t move the GMT hand, but you can adjust the main hour hand instead. If you swap into a different time zone, you can switch that while leaving the GMT unaffected, meaning it will keep tracking the time back home.
These traveler GMTs tend to be found in much more expensive watches primarily because they are more complex and thus costlier to manufacture. They’re not particularly ‘better,’ but at around $700, this Wise is surprisingly one of the lowest-cost means of attaining this style of movement.
Weirdly, I actually wouldn’t buy this one. While the monochromatic color scheme looks okay and very low-key, I think the ‘Root Beer’ version still looks head and shoulders above it. I only went with this one to give you a taste of a less widely-used aesthetic.
Some quick pros and cons. I think the logo and typefaces used are pretty generic and flat. The elaborate cathedral hour hand is also something you’ll either love or hate. Nevertheless, the case offers up a very crisp, angular look, whose precision is matched by the spring-loaded glidelock-like clasp around the back, which essentially guarantees you a comfortable fit.
The ADX wears very nicely, partly due to the slightly recessed bracelet, which conforms almost well enough for my skinny 6.25-inch wrist. With a 40mm bezel, it’s unsurprisingly a tad too big for my arm, but again, its swooping sides are quite forgiving. Oh, and the bezel is pretty nice too.
The Lookers
Now we have the “lookers”. While those last few shone on the spec sheet, these automatic GMTs excel in front of a camera lens.
Spinnaker Fleuss GMT
The largest of these is the Fleuss GMT from enthusiast brand Spinnaker. At 43mm across, it’s not for the faint-hearted and is evidently far too big for my tiny arm. That said, for those of you with the girth to handle it, the Fleuss GMT offers a delightful design, presented in a range of vibrant color combinations. I think Spinnaker did an outstanding job with this in particular. Each version looks unique, distinctive, and daring without looking garish.
In hindsight, I think the green version I ended up with is probably the weakest of the bunch. Many others have gradient dials, which give a sportier appearance that better matches the rest of the package; the burnt orange and nebula blue being particular highlights.
The Fleuss GMT has good case finishing, and the specifications are nothing to be sniffed at either.
While the included rubber strap is awesome, the bracelet isn’t the best. It looks fine but my unit’s clasp had a QC error, causing the double foldover mechanism to easily flick loose. If this wasn’t a press sample unit, I’d be sending this back for an exchange straight away.
Our writer, Chris, did a great in-depth write-up on the pros and cons of this watch, so check that out here if you want a more detailed analysis.
Overall, it’s a fun option that can sometimes be had for a low price, especially if you use our 20% discount code BENJAMINARTHUR20.
Nezumi Aviera
For something more reserved, the Aviera by Swedish brand Nezumi is a little-known option worth considering. I looked at this one several months back and thought it looked much better in person than online. A reverse catfish, if you will!
Aside from arriving in some heavily themed packaging, making it very viable for gifting if you are feeling particularly generous, the Aviera features great attention to detail in the strap department. Like the Spinnaker, it ships on a color-coordinated strap, but this time, it doesn’t match the dial or bezel. No, it’s a perfect match for the hands. The designer told me they experimented for a while to find a 1:1 color match, and boy did they land on it. The material is also unlike any I’ve tested before or since, with an extremely flexible foam-like final result that conforms like a dream to your wrist.
I would never actively pick a cream strap off the shelf, but it has truly won me over in this instance.
Powered by a Miyota 9075 and adorned by a sapphire crystal, the rest of the specs are in check, too. If you appreciate motorsports theming, the Aviera may be your first stop.
Vaer G5 Tactical
The best tactical option I’ve seen comes by way of the aptly named Vaer G5 Tactical. Now, I’ve never been a big fan of the tactical look, but after some chats with various watch designers, it turns out that these are a big hit in the US and other nations with looser gun restrictions. As such, I wanted to get at least one in here to scratch that itch, and there was no better choice than the G5.
Essentially, this is a fully blacked-out version of their popular Meridian GMT, incorporating a black PVD steel case, a dark sunburst dial, and high-contrast white accents for maximum legibility.
Luminescence is top tier; only outperformed by the Wise ADX I mentioned earlier. Even the bezel has great low-light performance. Like the Wise, it also uses a premium Miyota 9075 traveler’s GMT, hence why it’s one of the pricier options on this list.
On the product page, it says USA GMT, though that’s a little misleading. The movement is Japanese, while the rest of the watch is assembled and QC checked in America, hence the text at the bottom center.
I wouldn’t say this one is quite as attractive as the D5 Pacific I recently reviewed, but the case and dial are still very sleek, with a dressier vibe than most tactical watches, that usually lean into military theming. Vaer was apparently founded for this exact purpose: to create timepieces that can be worn for both work and play; the G5 is a great example of that.
It’s not issue-free, however. The crystal is the main gripe, as the dome adds extra thickness to the already reasonably chunky profile. Its curvature also results in the G5 picking up more reflections than a boxed crystal (that being a crystal where the edges are curved, but the upper surface remains flat).
At 39mm and with a short lug-to-lug distance, it’s versatile despite the thickness, and yeah, it just looks extremely classy. If you want to support an American company who still does a lot of the work in the US, then this Vaer is a worthy choice.
Before we get on to the honorable mentions, we have the best-sellers. These are the GMTs from big, renowned brands that have garnered widespread adoption or acclaim.
Seiko
The first two come from Seiko. Dating back to the 1880s, Seiko has a wealth of history and an abundance of models to pick from.
The obvious choice from their lineup is the Seiko 5 sports GMT. This is a follow-up to the “5KX” sports watch, a revamping of the cult-classic SKX dive watch, which hit the market back in 2019.
It’s basically the same watch, just with a different bezel and movement and an elevated price tag. It’s fairly attractive, comes in three colors, and is widely available from numerous retailers. My thoughts on this are roughly the same as with the regular 5KX. I think it looks more premium than the previous Seiko it was based on, although it’s sub-par bracelet and Hardlex crystal are obvious pain points considering the increased price.
Unlike the regular 5KX, at least the smooth bezel ensures you can get perfect bezel alignment!
At 42.4mm across, it has a wide stance on the wrist, though the 45.9mm lug to lug does alleviate it somewhat.
If you want access to a big brand at a low price, this SSK could be the way to go; however, I’d lean towards a different SSK, which is sometimes available for less money, that being the Seiko 5 Sports Field GMT.
I’ve heard people say this is the best GMT on the market or a “Rolex Killer” and while I definitely wouldn’t go that far, I do think this is the best of the budget Seiko GMTs.
The black version, in particular, the SSK023, is very well executed, with a surprising level of detail and texture. It’s also got more traditional proportions than the dive-style GMT, meaning more of you will be able to pull it off.
It’s also one of the few instances where the pale, green-hued luminescence actually works with the design of a watch; usually green-tinted lume sticks out like a sore thumb, but here it seems right at home.
Again, it has sub-par specs compared to the bulk of this list, though both of these models will hold better resale value than their little-known alternatives, which can be useful later down the line if your tastes change and you decide to resell it.
Christopher Ward C63 GMT
If your taste is for the finer things in life, then British brand Christopher Ward has a Swiss-made GMT that provides a luxury experience while scraping the ceiling of this list’s budget.
To be completely transparent, I doubt I’d ever personally spend this much on a watch – there’s a reason I primarily focus on the cheaper models, where you can often get 90% of the experience for a much lower price. That said, the Swiss-Made Sealander C63 GMT does pack that extra 10% if you feel it’s worth it to you.
For a deeper delve, you can check out my full review of the black version here. The black model is decent. It has a beautifully cut case, the best mechanical movement, and the smoothest crown on this list. The whole package is very slim, and this GMT even comes in multiple sizes, so you can pick the one that suits you the best. It’s even kitted out with an exclusive micro-adjustable butterfly-style bracelet, one of the first of its kind in the world.
Its primary shortcoming was the underwhelming visuals, which could be equaled or eclipsed elsewhere for less cash. I ultimately ended up sending that one back, and they later switched it with the Dragonfly Blue version, which (as I suspected in my review) is absolutely the one to go for.
The watch looks exactly like it does in the pictures, with a vibrant sheen that could easily be accompanied by a David Attenborough voiceover if it had some wings attached. It looks exquisite, and the niche tone works remarkably well with the orange used elsewhere, resulting in this blue model demolishing the other colors in the range.
There’s no question it’s the best-made watch here; it’s more a matter of where ‘affordable’ stops for you.