WATCHES & STYLE

The Chicest Watches for Frequent Fliers

by Charmian Leong
11 Mar 2024

For intrepid travellers, GMT and dual time functions are a stylish and practical solution for tracking two time zones.

  • PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA 24-HOUR DISPLAY TRAVEL TIME REF. 5224R-001
  • OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M DARK GREY
  • PARMIGIANI TONDA PF GMT RATTRAPANTE
  • LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION GMT
  • JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON

PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA 24-HOUR DISPLAY TRAVEL TIME REF. 5224R-001

Patek Philippe’s signature Travel Time function received a 24-hour twist last year in the Ref. 5224R-001. Using an entirely new calibre – 21-260 PS FUS with a micro-rotor – the hour hands now travel across a 24-hour dial. But unlike other watches that use this configuration, the brand has chosen to maintain the noon position at 12 o’clock rather than the traditional 6 o’clock position to enhance legibility in the day. The Ref. 5224R-001 also differs from its Travel Time siblings by doing away with pushers and using instead a patented three-position crown to adjust the time.

  • PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA 24-HOUR DISPLAY TRAVEL TIME REF. 5224R-001
  • OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M DARK GREY
  • PARMIGIANI TONDA PF GMT RATTRAPANTE
  • LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION GMT
  • JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON

OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M DARK GREY

An ideal companion for diving adventures, the substantial Seamaster Planet Ocean weighs just 107g without the strap, owing to its ceramic case, caseback, and bezel ring. Additionally, the dial, bezel body, folding clasp, and movement are crafted from titanium, enhancing the watch's lightweight feel. Despite its 45.5mm diameter and 17.4mm thickness, this is a tool watch you would barely feel on the wrist. With the added GMT function and date feature, it becomes the perfect choice for weekend dive excursions.


(Related: Passionate pursuits)

  • PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA 24-HOUR DISPLAY TRAVEL TIME REF. 5224R-001
  • OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M DARK GREY
  • PARMIGIANI TONDA PF GMT RATTRAPANTE
  • LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION GMT
  • JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON

PARMIGIANI TONDA PF GMT RATTRAPANTE

When the Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante first came on the scene in 2022, it was the world’s first watch with a GMT hand that would hide itself underneath the regular hour hand – much like how a split-seconds chronograph hand would in a rattrapante watch. Activating a pusher in the lug at 8 o’clock will allow the wearer to advance the hour hand in one-hour increments, while the second hour hand gets left behind, marking the home time. Originally crafted in a 40mm steel case, this newer edition comes in 18K rose gold, but with the same Milano blue dial with barleycorn guilloche. 

  • PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA 24-HOUR DISPLAY TRAVEL TIME REF. 5224R-001
  • OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M DARK GREY
  • PARMIGIANI TONDA PF GMT RATTRAPANTE
  • LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION GMT
  • JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON

LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION GMT

More recently seen in the sporty HydroConquest GMT, the calibre L844.5 (made by ETA exclusively for Longines) has now found its way into a much dressier option with the new Master Collection GMT. Cased in 18K yellow or rose gold, the 40mm by 10.4mm watch exudes a timeless elegance with its Roman numerals, 24-hour scale on the rehaut, and frosted silver dial. Limited to 500 pieces in each metal.

  • PATEK PHILIPPE CALATRAVA 24-HOUR DISPLAY TRAVEL TIME REF. 5224R-001
  • OMEGA SEAMASTER PLANET OCEAN 600M DARK GREY
  • PARMIGIANI TONDA PF GMT RATTRAPANTE
  • LONGINES MASTER COLLECTION GMT
  • JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON

JAEGER-LECOULTRE REVERSO TRIBUTE DUOFACE TOURBILLON

This iteration of Jaeger-LeCoultre's iconic Reverso ticks all the boxes – it's practical, comfortable on the wrist, complicated, and visually stunning. Despite housing two dials and a tourbillon, this pink gold model measures just 9.15mm thick. On the front, a sleek silver sun-ray dial displays the reference time, while the reverse side boasts an off-centered black dial, Clous de Paris guilloche, and a small day/night indicator ensconced in the top right corner. An interesting detail: The polished sun-like circle on the inner plate helps to reflect light back through the tourbillon.

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