The WristWatchReview 2025 Gift Guide: Part 2
Part two of this gift guide covers two groups that are hard to shop for and worth getting right. The traveler, who lives in airports and time zones. And the women in your life, who have to deal with brands that think “shrink it and paint it pink” is a design plan.
The WristWatchReview 2025 Gift Guide: Part 1
Watch lovers are the worst. They know exactly what they want, and most of the time it costs more than rent. That is a rough mix when the holidays show up and someone tells you they are “into watches now.”
For travelers, a good GMT watch beats a phone or smartwatch every time. You set it once, glance at it in any country, and see home time and local time without menus or apps. No charging, no software updates, just a small piece of hardware that keeps them grounded when the airline schedule goes sideways.
For women, the rules are even simpler. The best watch is the one she will actually wear. That might be a compact solar sports watch, a slim dress piece, or a bright, colorful daily watch that matches her style. It is not about fashion logos or trend cycles. It is about comfort, size, and whether it makes her smile when she looks at her wrist.
With that in mind, here are a few GMT picks for people who move through time zones, and a set of women’s watches that put real watchmaking ahead of fashion branding.
Best Watch for a Traveler
A good GMT watch makes traveling just that much better. Unlike smart watches and phones, yoou set it once, glance at it anywhere in the world, and never worry about battery life or software updates.
First, a bit about the two types of movements. For example, the Seiko NH34 is a “caller” GMT movement. You set the main hour and minute hands like a normal watch, then move the 24 hour hand separately when you want to track another time zone. This is optimal if you need to know the time abroad and not where you are currently.
The Miyota 9075 is an example of a “traveler” GMT movement. You can jump the local hour hand forward or backward in one hour steps without stopping the movement or moving the minute and 24 hour hands. When you land, you just click the hour hand to local time and keep your 24 hour hand on home time. This is for folks who need to know the time locally at a glance.
The flagship is the Rolex GMT Master II uses this traveler style layout. That is why frequent flyers like it so much, even if most of them never touch the bezel beyond setting it once. The Tudor Black Bay GMT collection is also a good mid-level watch for about $5,000. We’re not going to focus on those but if you’re in the market and have the cash, both are stellar options.
The Timex Q GMT uses a Swiss Ronda quartz movement. At $222 dollars it is a fair entry point into GMT watches, but it is still a caller style GMT.
The Seiko SSK001 GMT is one of the strongest low budget automatic choices. You get a mechanical movement, a rotating bezel, and a familiar Seiko build that can take a beating.
The Miyota 9075 also powers Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel GMT. The stainless steel model has an official retail price of $491 which an absolute steal for this model.
The Traska Venturer GMT Carbon Black uses the same traveler movement and comes in at $785. It offers a clean, modern case and strong finishing for the price.
The Lorier Hyperion Series II is another Miyota 9075 GMT, priced at 699 dollars. It brings a vintage leaning design, slim case, and a true traveler movement into one of the most accessible packages in this group.
Best Watch for Women
When you pick a watch for a woman, start by looking at what she already wears. Check her jewelry first. If everything is silver, white gold, or platinum, stay away from yellow and rose gold. If she likes warm tones and wears a lot of tan, brown, or gold, a gold toned case or bracelet will feel natural. Look at size too. If she wears small, thin chains and tiny rings, she may hate a huge watch that screams for attention. If she wears big hoops, chunky necklaces, or bold sunglasses, a larger case or bright dial will not scare her. Think about her clothes in the same way. Is she in black, grey, and soft neutrals most days, with color only as a small accent, or does she love bright dresses and loud prints. The watch should match that same level of volume. In the end, it comes down to paying attention. If you already know what she reaches for every morning, you know more than enough to pick a watch she will actually wear.
Size, style, and color are all personal. The only real rule is that it should feel good on her wrist and fit her life.
Pro tip: avoid fashion brands like Gucci and Versace unless specifically requested. Most fashion brands manufacturers like Burberry, Tommy Hilfiger, and Armani are of limited quality while the higher end brands are hit or miss.
The Tissot PRC 100 Solar 34mm is a clean, modern sports watch in a compact size. It has a bright, easy to read dial, a solid steel case, and a solar powered quartz movement, so it tops itself up from light. That means no regular battery swaps and almost no maintenance beyond basic care.
The TAG Heuer Aquaracer is the more “luxury sport” option at the same 34mm size. It has the classic Aquaracer look with a bezel, sharp markers, and good water resistance, but uses TAG’s solar tech to keep the movement running from light. It suits someone who wants a serious tool watch feel in a smaller case, with the bonus of set-and-forget power.
The Citizen L Bianca leans more dressy. It is slim, refined, and meant to look at home with office clothes or a night out. The design focuses on simple dials, subtle details, and a comfortable bracelet or strap. As with most Citizen pieces, it is built for everyday wear, not just special occasions.
The Citizen Tsuyosa 37mm is a great choice if color matters. It comes in purple, orange, green, yellow, black, and maroon, with a smooth case and an integrated style bracelet that hugs the wrist. At 37mm it works on many wrists without feeling huge, and the bold dials give it a fun, casual look that still feels like a real watch, not a toy.