Watches for frequent travel and half time zones

[Matt_01]

Just wondering if anyone has any suggestions on a good watch for travel. I am looking for a traditional style watche i.e. not an iWatch, or some thing else that I need to charge regularly. All my current watches are automatics and as I travel on a weekly basis between full and half times zones I am getting feed up with always adjusting the time. The half time zone is the issue as most GMTs that I am aware of only work in full time zones. There are a couple of manufactures who produce automatic watches in dual 30 minute time zones, Blancpain and Glashutte, however at this stage not quite that feed up with manually adjusting times when compared to their cost.

Ideally I would be after a watch that looks traditional and maybe a hybrid smart watch. I am considering the Seiko Astron GPS or the Kronaby which I have only seen these online. Does anyone on this site use either of these or something similar and if so what are they like. I know my phone will always show the correct time however I still like watches any other suggestions are welcome.

 

[samh004]

Let me know if you have any questions, but it is my firm belief that these are the best watches for the frequent time-zone-jumper.

You have inspired me to make my next watch purchase a Citizen Satellite Wave... although one of the cheaper ones. I had previously been looking at Meistersinger or Botta before, but they can wait I guess. Ease of use is more useful.

 

[odysseus]

When I had to make my last replacement a few years back, I looked at the Satellite watches but in the end opted for Radio controlled. Same result, but a lot cheaper. Adjustment is done the same way, by moving the crown/second hand to whichever time zone is needed, including half zones.

EQW-A1200RB-1AER | Racing | Edifice | Timepieces | Products | CASIO

INFINITI Red Bull Racing Limited Edition Casio Edifice, complete with radio controlled timekeeping, solar powered and digital compass

www.casio.co.uk

Oddly, I still prefer the simplicity of the dual time zone digital I had before. Add on radio transmitted for accuracy and it was so quick and flexible for multiple time zones, and ease of use/quick to read. Some Casio Pro-treks are similar, but not as stylish (for the most part), and tend to be busier.

 

[Buzzard]

What about this?

 

[MathNerd]

What about this?
View attachment 198067

What an impressive looking watch. Very racing orientated with the red tones all over the dial. Nice and big crown too, adding extra flair to the look.
It's a radio controlled watch so not as useful in AU, but very useful in EU, JP and US.

 

[fard13]

I faced your exact dilemna many years ago, and decided to take a punt on the Citizen Satellite Wave watches.

Fast forward to the present, best money I've ever spent.
They may not be automatic (I presume one of your must have features), however the fact they're solar (any light actually) powered and that the outer ring has time codes (most of them are airport codes too, bonus for the hardcore AFF'ers amongst us) mean that these watches are a perfect accessory. I've worn all of them on trips, both domestically and internationally, and they trot on just fine.
Whilst my collection of watches are all Citizens, the ones that I have that are of interest to you are:

• CC9075-52F
• CC9025-51E
• CC3060-10E
• CC1090-61E

With all these timepieces, literally all I have to do is pull the crown out (one click or 2, depending on the model), then rotate the seconds hand to the desired timezone, and then watch as the hour and minute hands graciously slide to their respective positions). It's effortless and lets me get on with my day without any further fumbling fussing around.

All of these were purchased from Starbuy, and as anyone who's purchased from there can attest, they have the best prices and more importantly, the best service. My 14 Citizens from there are a testament to that.

Let me know if you have any questions, but it is my firm belief that these are the best watches for the frequent time-zone-jumper.

I two have the eco drive by Citizen and love this watch for travel, tough sports watch, water proof etc.

 

[DC3]

I haven’t owned a wristwatch for many years. The iPhone time automatically updates.

 

[OZDUCK]

For some reason I hate wearing anything on my wrists or fingers. I didn't wear a watch at work for about the last 35 years of my working life and haven't worn my wedding ring since 1977. And yes, I am still married to the same person.

 

[Chicken]

A FitBit Alta? It's NOT a smart watch, only $50, copy the time from your phone.

 

[Daver6]

I got sick of constantly changing the time on my watch, so I landed up using my Garmin 235 when I travelled (syncs time to my phone or off GPS). However, it looks like a sports watch.

Enter my Seiko Astron. Solved all my problems. I got this one

Dual time zone. Solar powered so no batteries to change or winding required. I can change time zones manually (ie when I get on a flight) by pulling out the crown one notch and rotating to the desired time. It can also detect the time zone by pressing one button and then letting it sync via GPS. It will also once a day update just the time (not time zone) from a GPS signal (ie this watch will always remain incredibly accurate, minimising clock drift).

The second time zone can also be manually adjusted, so you could have it just 5 minutes off a time zone should you desire.

The Astrons also come in single time zone versiosn and no shortage of difference faces, from dressier to more casual. I'm incredibly happy with this purchase and is my go to travel watch now. Any questions, just ask

 

[Chicken]

I'm surprised so many people recommend Seiko. I have a friend who bought a few Seiko, they all died within a few years. I used to wear Casio on the other hand, and everyone of them lasted minimum 10 years.

 

[DC3]

Maybe something like this, but on a small scale, suitable for multiple time zones:

 

[serfty]

I don't invest in watches - lose a $40 watch and it costs $40 to replace - last ones I brought were from Aldi and they worked fine.

These days I use a wrist device that tells the time, waking up with a turn of the wrist. I use a big numbers digital readout so I can see the time without putting on reading glasses.

It syncs with my smart phone so displays whatever time zone my smart phone 'thinks' it is in.

I can also check out SMS's and Emails, answer or reject phone calls, see alerts etc.

It came 'free' with a 'phone plan.

 

[MathNerd]

@Matt_01, or others interested, the Black Friday Sale at Starbuy has some absolute ripper bargains on GPS watches:
Citizen Satellite Wave

• CC7005-16G $1,999

Seiko Astron

• SSE139J $1699
• SSE170J $1699
• SSE169J $1599
• SSE159J $1399
• SSE153J $1199

I'm really tempted...

 

[Daver6]

I'm surprised so many people recommend Seiko. I have a friend who bought a few Seiko, they all died within a few years. I used to wear Casio on the other hand, and everyone of them lasted minimum 10 years.

Not really surprising at all. Seiko are a reputable, world class watch manufacturer that give the Swiss a run for their money on both build quality and accuracy.

 

[Matt_01]

I'm surprised so many people recommend Seiko.

I only have 1 Seiko watch, a Grand Seiko Hi beat circa 1973. I am not that old to have purchased it new however when I purchased it is was in very good condition and the previous owner informed me that the strap had been replaced a few times with it non genuine, it had only been serviced once and it should last me a few years. 10 years on I have also replaced the strap a couple of times and never had it serviced and it does not miss a beat. I suspect I will never be able to find an original strap but I would also like to bring it back to original. As @Daver6 in the late 60's early 70's mentioned the Grand Seiko gave the Swiss a serious run for their money.

Post 33 from @MathNerd these are good prices for Seiko Astron's but they are not the models for myself. I did visit the Seiko store in Melb this week (on more than one occasion) and know the Astron model I am after. Off topic I did look at a couple of the newer GS and these are now on my 'watch want list' so I may be stuck with manually adjusting time for a little longer.

I don't invest in watches - lose a $40 watch and it costs $40 to replace

Watches can be good investment, my retail purchased 'Hulk' and 'Batman' are now worth x3 times what I paid for them.