How to Set and Use a GMT Watch: A Practical Guide

By Tsao Baltimore | Baltimore Watch Company | Published: 2026-10-17

Category: How-to Guides

Learn how to set and use a GMT watch with clear, step-by-step instructions. This guide covers dual time zone setup and practical tips for your Balt-Pilot Worldtimer.

Quick answer

To set a GMT watch, first pull the crown to the time-setting position and rotate it to set the local hour and minute hands. Then, set the 24-hour hand (often the fourth hand) to your home or reference time zone. Finally, rotate the bezel to align with a third time zone if needed.

Understanding Your GMT Watch

A GMT watch is designed to track two or more time zones simultaneously. The standard setup includes a local hour hand, a minute hand, and a 24-hour hand that makes one full rotation per day. The 24-hour hand is typically the one with a different color or shape, and it points to a 24-hour scale on the bezel or dial.

The bezel on many GMT watches, including the Balt-Pilot Worldtimer, can be rotated to track a third time zone. When the bezel is set to 12 o'clock, the 24-hour hand shows your home time. Rotating the bezel allows you to read a second or third time zone against the 24-hour hand.

Common Mistakes When Setting a GMT Watch

One frequent error is confusing the 24-hour hand with the hour hand. The 24-hour hand moves only once every 24 hours, not twice like the standard hour hand. Another mistake is setting the bezel before the hands, which can lead to misreading the time. Always set the hands first, then adjust the bezel.

Also, avoid setting the date between 9 PM and 3 AM on watches without a quick-set date function, as this can damage the movement. If your watch has a screw-down crown, unscrew it fully before pulling to the setting position.

Step-by-Step: Setting Your GMT Watch

Step 1: Identify the Crown Positions: Unscrew the crown (if screw-down) and pull it to the first position to set the date. Pull to the second position to set the time. Some watches have a third position for the GMT hand. Checkpoint: Ensure the crown is pulled to the correct position. A common mistake is pulling too far or not far enough.
Step 2: Set the Local Time: Rotate the crown in the second position to set the local hour and minute hands. Move the hands past 12 o'clock to confirm AM/PM if setting the date. Checkpoint: If the date changes at noon, you have the AM/PM reversed. Correct this by advancing the hands 12 hours.
Step 3: Set the 24-Hour (GMT) Hand: Pull the crown to the GMT-setting position (often the first or third position) and rotate it to set the 24-hour hand to your home or reference time zone. The 24-hour hand should point to the correct hour on the 24-hour scale. Checkpoint: The 24-hour hand moves slowly; be patient. A common mistake is confusing it with the hour hand.
Step 4: Set the Date (if applicable): Pull the crown to the date-setting position and rotate to set the date. Avoid setting the date between 9 PM and 3 AM local time to prevent movement damage. Checkpoint: If the date doesn't change at midnight, your AM/PM is off. Go back to Step 2 and adjust.
Step 5: Use the Bezel for a Third Time Zone: Rotate the bezel so that the 24-hour hand points to the desired third time zone on the bezel scale. Each bezel mark represents one hour. For example, if the 24-hour hand points to 14 (2 PM) and you rotate the bezel so that 14 aligns with 12 o'clock, you are now reading home time at the 12 o'clock position. Checkpoint: Ensure the bezel clicks into place. A loose bezel can cause misreading.
Step 6: Secure the Crown: Push the crown back in fully and screw it down (if applicable) to maintain water resistance. Checkpoint: If the crown is not fully screwed, your watch may lose water resistance. Double-check by gently tugging the crown.

Product Facts

LEGACY STEEL GMT - GREEN FUME: Only 25 timepieces in each color option will be made. Individually numbered: 01 - 25. The Legacy was built and designed to be worthy of being passed on to the next generation. If you own a Legacy Steel GMT, you have a limited-edition watch that combines heirloom quality with practical GMT functionality. The individual numbering adds a personal touch, making it a true collector's piece.