Brace Yourselves: The NH34-Based Watches Are Coming
Brace Yourselves: The NH34-Based Watches Are Coming
When Seiko released its SSK GMT series, the entire watch world sat up and took notice. Here was a GMT watch — albeit a ”caller” GMT (and to be honest, I’ve never understood why these are considered ”lesser” GMTs) — that retailed for under $500 from a maker whose movements power a significant number of independent and microbrand watches. Understandably, a number of people were waiting with baited breath for the flood of GMTs from the smaller brands once Seiko started selling this movement to them.
Well, the flood is starting. Here are three brands who’ve released NH34-based watches that are worth looking into.
1. Nodus Sector GMT
I’m a Nodus fan. Specifically, I’m a fan of their Sector series (I own two), so when I saw that they had a prototype they were showing off at the recent Windup Watch Fair in New York, I had to go bug Wes and Cullen from Nodus about it.
I’m glad I did. The Sector GMT looks fantastic. I generally prefer a bezel on my GMT watches, but also love how this Sector GMT looks without one. You lose out on the ability to track a third time zone without the bezel, but the watch ends up looking more sleek and svelte without it.
Available on a leather strap, this watch is available in two colorways and starts at $450. Preorders are available now for delivery in December 2022. While the retail price is $450, they are offering a discount code for $50 off the watch, which makes it an absolute steal.
You can find the Nodus Sector GMT on their website now.
2. RZE Ascentus GMT
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uAP7JrqJxU4
Okay, you’re looking at an embedded YouTube video review from the always interesting Peter Kotsa’s channel because the maker of the watch in question, RZE, only have a teaser image of it on their website. Not sure if the embargo dates got mixed up or Peter was given exclusive access to announce this for them or something, but there’s much more detail in his review video than on RZE’s site.
What’s really interesting about this watch is that it is encased in titanium on a titanium bracelet and then the whole thing is coated in RZE’s UltraHex coating to harden it against scratches and scuffs. The bracelet - a jubillee-style number - looks very interesting and the whole package comes in at around $550. Given the materials used, that’s actually really good.
You can sign up for updates on RZE’s website now.
3. Venezianico Nereide GMT
I’m a bit torn about posting this one. On the one hand, these do look interesting, especially on those H-link bracelet. On the other hand, Venezianico is not a brand whose watches I’ve actually gotten hands-on with. At least with Nodus and RZE, I own other watches from those brands; with Venezianico, they’re pretty-much an unknown quantity to me.
Still, some other watches from this brand have been reviewed well by some watch reviewers I generally think have a decent head on their shoulders, so here we go.
The Nereide GMT checks pretty-much all the boxes when it comes to providing an NH-34-based unit. The 316L stainless-steel case is a well-sized 39mm, the crystal is sapphire, and the price is a reasonable $495. Taxes and duties are paid on the order by the company, so that’ll save you a few bucks as well.
The watch is on sale now and begins shipping later this month.
So those are the three NH-34 GMTs I’m keeping an eye on. There are a few others out there already too, but at some point I have to draw the line on just how many of these Seiko movement-based watches I’m interested in. Three is… good enough, I think.