The British microbrand Isotope unveiled its new collection honouring the most important benchmarks for adjusting time all over the world, the GMT. As with the previous Isotope models, this collection too comes loaded with unique features.

Before even getting to talk about the dial, the brushed stainless steel case has a slight oval shape, like a 0, a nod to the prime meridian at zero degrees longitude.

Don’t look for the extra hand as other GMT watches have, the Isotope GMT 0° replaces the function of the extra GMT hands with a distinctive dial design, featuring an Isotope Lacrima shaped cut out and the combination of a date dot and a GMT disc, which has never been used together before on the same dial.

Clarity is important, so the second time zone is shown using the coloured indicator on the central disc. The date is in turn indicated by a coloured dot visible through one of 31 holes drilled into the multi-layered dial. Finally, the local time can be read conventionally, on the hour indices also cut into the dial. Each element clearly separated from the other, so minimizing the opportunity to misread information.

The fun continues even on the back of the watch. The Lacrima shape window on the back offers a glimpse at the customised Swisstech S24-45 automatic movement.

The solid portion of the case back is engraved with the hours of difference of the world’s major cities relative to GMT. With special evidence given to the Greenwich Meridian.

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Finally, on the screw-down crown, there is an intriguing motif, a homage to the company owner’s Uncle. An industrial designer by training and spirit, with hundreds of unpublished designs. In the crown there is the symbol of the Infinite Chain, a sketch he used to do to keep the family children, entertained, and is symbolic of union and eternal motion.

The watch comes with a robust Cordura strap with coloured stitching, matching the dial details. The straps are quickly and easily changed by simply pressing the spring bars, that look like screws through the drilled lugs. The case lugs design is mirrored in the buckle, an element often not given much attention.

This is a tough, “tool” GMT, ideal for travellers and for those who appreciate a fine and distinctive watch that can withstand diving up to 200m.

The GMT 0° is available to pre-order on Isotope Watches’s website, www.isotopewatches.co.uk in one of six versions: White, Black, Blue, Olive Green Steel, Olive Green Black DLC and Ruby. The last two are limited to only 49 pieces. Prices start at £710 GBP, a great value for a watch with such a unique design and the specs are solid too, see below.

Technical Specifications

Brushed case, 316L stainless steel/Black Diamond-like Carbon
Case diameter 41.5mm x 39.5mm (44.7mm with lugs) Height 14.2mm Exhibition screwed case back with the world’s major cities time-zone Anti-reflective domed crystal sapphire
Single Screw-down crown at 3 o’clock
Hands and 2nd Time Zone disc applied with Super-LumiNova® 24mm strap tapered to 22mm
Matching Steel/DLC Buckle
Water-resistance 200m / 20 atm / 656 ft

Swiss made customised Swisstech S24-45 (3 years warranty): Automatic, self-winding
Power reserve 40 hours
28 Jewels, 28800A/h

Accuracy -12/+12 s/day