The first half of 2025 has been a remarkable showcase for the GMT category, with watchmakers from Switzerland, Germany, and Japan presenting models that balance technical precision with aesthetic ambition. While Rolex GMT watches have always been a favorite among travelers and collectors alike, this year’s releases demonstrate the versatility of the complication – from rugged divers capable of crossing oceans to opulent creations intended to turn heads in an airport lounge.

Here are five standout models that have captured our attention, each for very different reasons, yet all united by their ability to track more than one time zone with elegance and authority.
Doxa Sub 250T GMT – A Diver with a Worldly Edge
Doxa’s latest evolution of its beloved dive watch line, the Sub 250T GMT, blends the brand’s maritime heritage with a cosmopolitan twist. Slightly upsized from the Sub 200T, the new model offers a 40mm stainless steel case with a slim 10.85mm profile, 42.9mm lug-to-lug span, and 250 meters of water resistance. The proportions strike a fine balance – robust enough for underwater use, yet refined for everyday wear.
The color palette is as bold as Doxa’s legacy demands. Whether you gravitate toward the iconic orange Professional, the deep blue Caribbean, the rich green Sea Emerald, or the quietly sophisticated silver Searambler, each variant is available on a supple matching rubber strap or the brand’s signature beads-of-rice bracelet.
Doxa has integrated the GMT function with impressive subtlety, using a large skeletonized fourth hand to indicate the second time zone on a 24-hour scale recessed into the rehaut. Despite the complexity of the dial – bezel scales, a date window, and luminous indexes – the layout remains intuitive at a glance. Power comes from a Swiss automatic movement (likely Sellita) with a 50-hour reserve and caller-style GMT functionality. Priced from €2,550, it delivers remarkable value for a travel-ready diver with such character.
Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer Limited Editions – Minimalism in Motion
Nomos Glashütte brings its clean, modernist sensibility to world travel with the Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer Limited Editions. Offered in six striking dial colors – Volcano grey, Jungle green, Canyon brown, Glacier blue, Magma red, and Dune yellow – each variation is limited to just 175 pieces. The 40mm polished stainless steel case, a mere 9.9mm thick, wears with the ease of a dress watch while housing a serious travel complication.
The magic lies in the intuitive operation: a single pusher advances the city ring at 3 o’clock, instantly adjusting the local time display without affecting the home time. At its heart is Nomos’s in-house caliber DUW 3202, designed and built in Glashütte, running at 28,800vph with a 42-hour reserve. A sapphire exhibition case back reveals its refined architecture, underscoring the blend of function and craftsmanship. At €3,940, it is both a travel companion and a collector’s prize – assuming you can find one before they disappear into private collections.

Rolex GMT-Master II “Tiger Iron” – Exotic Stone Meets Everose Gold
Rolex’s newest addition to the GMT-Master II family might be its most polarizing yet – a dial crafted from tiger iron, a natural fusion of tiger eye, red jasper, and hematite. Each piece of stone is unique, resulting in patterns that range from subdued grey swirls to fiery streaks of yellow and red. Set within a 40mm Everose gold case and paired with a black-and-brown Cerachrom bezel, the effect is strikingly opulent.
Inside beats replica Rolex’s in-house caliber 3285, with a 70-hour reserve and the precision that underpins the brand’s reputation. The €51,250 price tag places it firmly in the realm of the aspirational, but for those seeking a GMT that is both mechanically formidable and visually one-of-a-kind, the “Tiger Iron” delivers an undeniable statement.
Seiko Prospex 1968 Heritage Diver’s GMT SPB509 – Blue Depths and Golden Details
Seiko revisits its late-’60s dive watch heritage with the SPB509, a travel-ready reinterpretation that combines robust performance with subtle elegance. The stainless steel case measures 42mm with a 13.3mm profile and 300 meters of water resistance, making it a genuine tool watch. The star, however, is the dial – a two-tone blue wave pattern that shifts with the light, complemented by a gold Rolex GMT hand that adds a touch of refinement.
The in-house 6R54 automatic movement provides a generous 72-hour power reserve and caller-style GMT functionality. The updated three-link bracelet incorporates a toolless extension, reflecting Seiko’s recent strides in bracelet engineering. At €1,900, the SPB509 offers a rare combination of diving pedigree and international practicality at a highly accessible price point.
Ressence Type 7 – A Futuristic Take on World Time
Few watchmakers approach time display with the conceptual audacity of Ressence, and the new Type 7 pushes that philosophy into the realm of integrated sports watches. Crafted entirely from Grade 5 titanium, the 41mm case flows seamlessly into a tapering three-row bracelet, the central links dominating the width for a distinctive architectural look.
Two versions are available: the deep Night Blue with a ceramic bezel, and the XV Aquamarine limited to 80 pieces with an aluminum bezel, celebrating the brand’s 15th anniversary. Ressence’s oil-filled convex dial, with its satellite display of minutes, hours, and a second time zone, offers unmatched legibility thanks to the absence of light refraction.
The patented ROCS 7 system – driven by a customized ETA automatic movement – delivers a 36-hour reserve. Priced at CHF 36,000 before tax, the Type 7 is not merely a GMT; it is a radical rethinking of how a travel watch can look, feel, and function.

From Doxa’s colorful practicality to Rolex’s opulent artistry, and from Seiko’s value-driven execution to Ressence’s avant-garde vision, the first half of 2026 has proven that the GMT complication remains one of horology’s most fertile grounds for creativity. Whether your travel plans involve coral reefs, cosmopolitan capitals, or simply daydreaming over a map, this year’s offerings ensure there is a GMT to match both your lifestyle and your aesthetic ambitions.