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I have no idea why he particularly wanted them to be separate. It may be perhaps something to do with being a pilot? Or perhaps that, combined with being Italian, and living in the Southern Hemisphere?
I'd imagine he'd prefer a more classic look to an overly sporty watch. Just picture: intelligent stylish Italian guy, aerobatic pilot, plane designer and construction.
I suspect he'd love the blue face here, which, in part, was what attracted me. Over the next few days I'll attempt to subtly ask some questions regarding his desire for a separate GMT dial.
Thanks for your response Virgule, very much appreciated.
Regards, Tanya
I'm glad if I can be of help. I see that you love your man and he's lucky that you think about what he loves when seeking a gift. I can definitely picture a man like you described.
Ok so let me explain a bit about the GMT function. It can also be referred to as a watch with a "separate time zone", "secondary time (or time zone)", "GMT watch", or anything in that general mindset.
How it works The GMT function usually consist of a separate hand (separate from the hour hand, the minute hand or the second hand) that rotates once per 24 hours (contrarily to once per 12 hours for the normal hour hand). You can set that hand separately from the hour hand so that it shows a time offseted from the hour hand time. Of course, both times will turn at the same rate. You'll therefore see the normal time and hour of the other time zone you're tracking.
For example, if your local time is 14:37 and your GMT hand is set three hours ahead, you'll read the GMT hand well into the 17th hour, and you'll add to that the normal minute hand showing the 37th minute. The GMT time will be 17:37.
Most of the GMT watches that I know of have the GMT hand pinned at the same spot as all the other hands. It therefore rotates around the same dial and a separate row of markings shows a 24-hour gradation for that GMT hand. For instance, the iconic Rolex GMT Master 2 shows that 24 hour scale on a rotating bezel that can be rotated to quickly set the GMT time to a different timezone.
(note here that the outermost scale can be rotated, like a rotating bezel, with the action of the crown at 2 O'clock)
Now if you've heard your man talking about a separate dial for some function, it would be more probable that he was referring to one of these :
Chronograph (timing of events) : Seperate dials for minutes and hours of timed event with pushers for start, stop and reset.
Perpetual calendar (Date year long leap years taken into account) : separate dials for day, month, day number
If he's a pilot, it's more probable that he wants a GMT watch seeing that he often sets foot in different time zones. There are some watches where the GMT function is on a separate dial but in my taste it's a bit of a faux-pas as none of the designs look real nice. Example :
So I would first try and see what sort of watches he's into (other watches in collection, brands he likes, type of watches,...) then look at your budget. After that, I'll be glad to send you a few examples of strong values in that price point.
https://shop.junkers.de/junkers-6640-2-iron-annie-ju-52.html (I've given this as a present to my stepfather and it's his favorite watch; the lume on both hands and hour markers is outstanding)
All of these use the same movement (Ronda quartz), and the second time zone is changeable separately from the main one—and it is actually a "separate dial", where you look at both hours and minutes at the same time. If you want something where the second time zone is just a separate hour hand, the same manufacturer makes this: https://shop.junkers.de/junkers-6892-2-worldtimer.html and this: https://shop.junkers.de/zeppelin-7546-1-nordstern.html
A manufacturer with a specifically Pilot tradition.
I think budget will will drive you in a certain direction, but I would stick with a simple hour/minute/second watch with another GMT hand (like the Rolex GMT II shown earlier). I recommend the Christopher Ward Trident GMT: good looking, workhorse movement, and a very reasonable price point. https://www.christopherward.com/watches/dive/c60-trident-pro-gmt-600
Also: Until he puts a ring on it and you guys are married, don't blow a bunch of cash on him for a gift like this. You'll regret it if things go south.