Rolex GMT bezel functionality.... how do YOU use it?

jujin · Mar 31, 2012

I'm currently in the military and on mid tour leave. I'm going back soon and have a few more days to decide between the SUB and the GMT. I like the GMT for obvious reasons of being able to keep track of local time, military time, and the time back in the states. I'm wondering if it will lose appeal or purpose when I'm back in the states or ultimately when I leave the service. The new GMT only clicks 24 times so keep track of elapsed time probably isn't as practical or possible like it is with the sub... How do you all use your GMT bezels?

withthesword · Apr 1, 2012

when i had my fat lady, i set the 24 hour hand to match the hour hand if the triangle was at the 12 o'clock position. i then adjusted the bezel to track a second time zone. as i understand it, there are several ways to track two time zones, and even three. i kept it simple for myself.

Best Regards,

Matte

ayres · Apr 5, 2012

I think you might be referring to the 116710, but I use the bezel on my 16710 for timing... Did the same with my formerly-owned 116710, even if it is less accurate.

penfold · Apr 5, 2012

Also consider the different bracelets. I would expect the polished links far from ideal if in military dress. The greater adjustability of the sub bracelet would be more useful in such an environment.

I've also found an hour timer to be far more useful than keeping track of time zones

Memphis1 · May 4, 2012

sry for reviving a month old thread....

1. set the 24 triangle dead on the 12 o'clock marker
2. set the green hand to GMT time (minute hand should match your local time)
3. set the hour hand to your local time
4. if you are in your local zone, the hour and minute hand reads local time (1st time zone)
5. if you look at the green hand and minute hand that's GMT (2nd time zone)
6. now you can move the bezel up or down X many clicks to reflect the 3rd time zone. e.g. if you live in EST, london is 5 hrs ahead and if you turn the bezel 8 clicks back the green hand should reflect PST.

DesertGoon · May 4, 2012

Memphis1 said:
sry for reviving a month old thread....

1. set the 24 triangle dead on the 12 o'clock marker
2. set the green hand to GMT time (minute hand should match your local time)
3. set the hour hand to your local time
4. if you are in your local zone, the hour and minute hand reads local time (1st time zone)
5. if you look at the green hand and minute hand that's GMT (2nd time zone)
6. now you can move the bezel up or down X many clicks to reflect the 3rd time zone. e.g. if you live in EST, london is 5 hrs ahead and if you turn the bezel 8 clicks back the green hand should reflect PST.

:-! a great explanation!

pbleic · Jan 27, 2013

Memphis1 said:
sry for reviving a month old thread....

1. set the 24 triangle dead on the 12 o'clock marker
2. set the green hand to GMT time (minute hand should match your local time)
3. set the hour hand to your local time
4. if you are in your local zone, the hour and minute hand reads local time (1st time zone)
5. if you look at the green hand and minute hand that's GMT (2nd time zone)
6. now you can move the bezel up or down X many clicks to reflect the 3rd time zone. e.g. if you live in EST, london is 5 hrs ahead and if you turn the bezel 8 clicks back the green hand should reflect PST.

I realize this is an old thread previously revived, but I just got a Rolex GMT Master II, and figured out how it is most useful to me - as a frequent time zone traveler. It is a variation of the above, but I haven't seen it described anywhere exactly as I will. So, my changes are marked in red:

1. set the 24 triangle dead on the 12 o'clock marker
2. set the green or red 24 hour hand to GMT time (minute hand should match your local time)
3. set the hour hand to your local time
4. if you are in your local zone, the hour and minute hand reads local time (1st time zone)
4a. move the bezel back or forward the number of clicks that your time zone differs from GMT. For example, if you live in EST (+5), move the bezel 5 clicks clockwise.
5. if you look at the green or red hand and minute hand it will read local time off the bezel.
6. when you go to a new time zone, you change the hour hand, but not the green or red hand. Now, you can read your local time with the watch and your "home" time off the bezel.
7. if you want to follow ANOTHER time zone instead, simply read the GMT offset on a chart and reset the bezel to that offset.
8. AND, if you are in a "half-time-zone" location like Bombay, or Singapore, after adjusting the hour time to 30 minutes before local time, move the minute time forward 30 minutes AND the bezel backwards 1/2 a click so that "home" time and local time are correct!

ccm123 · Jan 28, 2013

I use it to keep local time (PST, PDT) and then GMT time for the 2nd time zone.

Surf_Rider · Jan 28, 2013

I think its too complicated to track three time zones with the GMT Master. I only track 2. I have never had a need to track 3, but I guess some people do. There are easier watches to track a 3rd time zone with than the GMT Master.

I set the normal hour hand and the GMT hand to local time, and keep the Triangle at the 12 oclock position on the bezel when I am in my local time zone.

If I move to another time zone, I move the normal hour hand forward or back to reflect local time, and keep the GMT hand set on home time.

Rolex GMT bezel functionality.... how do YOU use it?

jujin

withthesword

ayres

penfold

Memphis1

DesertGoon

pbleic

ccm123

Surf_Rider

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