One of the more appealing driving-themed watches is the Audi Sport GMT from Swiss company Oris, a partner with the German carmaker’s motorsport division.
The new watch costs around $NZ3500 and follows the release last year of the Oris Audi Sport Limited Edition Chronograph. Unlike the 2014 watch, this year’s GMT is not a limited edition.
It is based on the Oris’ larger Artix collection of motorsport-inspired timepieces. Those who follow the watch industry say its brushed ‘matte silver’ dial and lume-filled hour markers are both distinctive and legible. Oris does a good job at keeping reflectivity levels down, they say.
Unusually, there is no seconds hand – counting down is taken care of by a ‘linear gauge’ near 9 o’clock that uses a graduating red-coloured disc to tick off the seconds. Oris’other chronographs contain stop-watch functions.
The GMT hand, with its small red arrow tip, uses a 24-hour marker scale on the inside perimeter of the dial, not on the rotating bezel. Few GMT watches have both a 24-hour scale and 60 minute diver-style rotating bezel, especially a bezel that rotates in both directions. The bezel is made of tungsten and has a tactile rubber outer liner.
On the wrist, Oris uses the same 44mm-wide steel Artix-style case found on past models with either a perforated black leather strap or five-link steel metal bracelet.
The inner workings of the Audi Sport GMT are visible through the sapphire crystal back window. All in all, say watch critics, the Oris Audi Sport GMT watch is a fine addition to the brand’s larger motorsport-themed collection.