Traska Snags Miyota Traveller GMT Movement, Upgrades Venturer
2022 is going to be the year of the GMT (even if the subject of this article won’t be out till 2023). From the Christopher Ward C65 Aquitaine GMT, to the just-released Zelos Spearfish GMT, to the NH34-based affordable GMTs like the Nodus Sector GMT and the RZE Ascentus GMT, this has been the year that this awesome complication has really broken out.
By and large, however, most of the GMTs that have been released by independents and microbrands this year have been “caller” GMTs. That’s primarily because movements with caller GMT complications are plentiful and the Seiko NH34 and the Sellita 330-x movements — the ones most preferred by indies and micros — are readily available and relatively affordable. Meanwhile, movements with “traveller” GMT complications — where the hour hand moves independently in 1-hour increments — are more expensive and not as readily available.
The expense factor is pretty high; most traveller GMT watches start at low four figures and go from there. Until recently, I wasn’t aware of any independents or microbrands making traveller GMTs. That changed recently when Miyota released the 9075.
This was a movement that finally put the manufacturing of a traveller’s GMT squarely within reach of an independent/microbrand watch maker. The first one to do so was Jack Mason, with the Strat-O-Timer. Priced at $999, this was the first traveler’s GMT made by someone other than the big houses.
That is, until Traska somehow managed to get its hands on a few of these movements. The story is… pretty cool…
– Jon Mack, Traska Watches
Which brings us to Traska’s latest upcoming drop: The Venturer GMT.
Equipped with the aforementioned Miyota movement, the Venturer GMT builds on top of the already well-regarded (and sold-out) Venturer three-hander that was introduced earlier this year. True to their nature, Traska isn’t just coming out with a new watch; they are positioning this one as a fantastic value. It will be priced at an astonishing $695 USD.
That’s the most affordable traveller GMT I’ve ever seen.
The catch? We’re all going to have to wait until January 15, 2023 for this to go on sale.
I know. I’m setting my alarms right now, just in case I forget.
The upside is that it’s likely to beat the Jack Mason GMT to market. Although Jack Mason is taking preorders now, their GMT won’t ship till March 2023. Traska, on the other hand, is promising to have their GMT in stock and ready to ship on Sunday, January 15.
Again, set your alarms…