When people think of SevenFriday, the first images that come to mind are bold dials, intricate layering, and a distinct futuristic aesthetic. Since its founding, the Zurich-based brand has been proud of breaking away from Swiss traditionalism. Yet with the PG/01 GMT, released in 2025, SevenFriday decided to step into new territory: its first GMT model. On paper, that sounds like a small step. In reality, it is a fairly big deal.
This watch takes the brand's design DNA and applies it to a travel-oriented complication. The result? A piece that looks unmistakably like a SevenFriday, but feels surprisingly restrained.
Less Busy, Still Bold
The PG/01 GMT stands out because of what it does not do. Previous models, such as the S3/01 Jade Carbon or the T1/08 Bauhaus, thrive on visual complexity. Their open-worked dials and gear-shaped hands make them look like tiny machines strapped to the wrist. By contrast, the PG/01 GMT tones things down. The dial is more legible, the layering is calmer, and the overall feel could be described as retro-futuristic minimalism.
Minimalist by SevenFriday standards, that is. Put this watch next to a traditional Rolex GMT-Master II or a Tudor Black Bay GMT, and the PG/01 GMT will still look like it just walked off a sci-fi movie set. But after all, that is exactly what SevenFriday fans want.
Case and Construction
The watch case follows SevenFriday's signature TV-shaped profile. Measuring 44.5mm across, 44mm from lug to lug, and 13.55mm thick, it sounds intimidating on paper. Yet without protruding lugs, the watch hugs the wrist differently. The strap attachment is integrated directly under the case edges, making the large silhouette wear more compact than its numbers suggest.
Crafted from brushed and polished stainless steel, the PG/01 GMT has a reassuring weight: 120 grams on the leather strap or 168 grams with the stainless steel mesh bracelet. Protecting the dial is a slightly domed sapphire crystal with an internal anti-reflective coating. A recessed black lacquer ring frames the display, giving the watch more depth.
At 3 o'clock sits the signed push-pull crown, while the brand name is engraved on the opposite side. Water resistance is a practical 50 meters. Nothing extreme, but enough for daily wear.
Dial and Display
The PG/01 GMT dial mixes geometry with subtle color. Its outer ring has a sloped black concave surface with raised markers, while a brushed silver ring surrounds the date at 4:30. The inner section houses the highlight: a rotating 24-hour disc with a bright yellow hand for the second time zone. Local time is indicated by skeletonized hands in white and turquoise, filled with luminous tips for night reading.
Legibility is an interesting discussion here. In bright light, the contrast works fine. But in dim conditions, the raised black-on-black markers can blend into the dial. It is not the most functional GMT you will ever see, but it is undeniably distinctive. And when was SevenFriday ever about sheer practicality?
A Futuristic Signature
Like other recent models, the PG/01 GMT caseback includes an NFC chip. Pair it with the SevenFriday app and you can verify authenticity, register ownership, and access its digital twin (NFT). Unlike some brands that quietly outsource and hide production details, SevenFriday prints it clearly: design in Switzerland, movement from Japan, final assembly in China. You might be surprised how many brands follow a similar formula without saying so out loud. Transparency here is refreshing.
Inside the Case – Miyota 9075
The movement powering the PG/01 GMT is the Miyota Caliber 9075. It runs at 28,800 vibrations per hour, offers 42 hours of power reserve, and—crucially—has a flier-style GMT function. That means the local hour hand can be adjusted independently in one-hour jumps, perfect for travel. Many GMTs use the caller-style layout, which requires you to adjust the 24-hour hand instead. Neither is strictly better, but for hopping between time zones, flier-style makes more sense.
Is the Miyota 9075 the most glamorous movement? Not really. But it is robust, serviceable, and fits the SevenFriday philosophy: design-forward watches with solid mechanics.
Strap and Bracelet Options
SevenFriday offers the PG/01 GMT in two formats:
- PG/01 with a black leather strap and deployant clasp.
- PG/01 M with a stainless steel mesh bracelet and latch system.
Both taper from 26mm at the case to 22mm on the wrist. The leather strap brings out the watch's sleek side, while the mesh bracelet emphasizes its industrial vibe.
On the Wrist
Here is where personal taste takes over. The PG/01 GMT is not a thin watch. It sits proudly on the wrist, rather than melting into it. Some may find it a bit top-heavy, especially compared to curved-lug sports watches. But if you like bold wrist presence, this design will resonate.
The dial's futuristic cues make it feel more like wearing a concept gadget than a conventional GMT. It is not the easiest watch to read at night, nor the most water-resistant, but it sparks conversations. After all, when was the last time a stranger asked about your watch at a coffee shop?
With an official retail price of $1,580 USD on strap and $1,600 USD on bracelet, the PG/01 GMT sits in the mid-tier of design-driven mechanical watches. You can certainly find cheaper GMTs from Seiko or Citizen with higher water resistance and simpler dials. But you will not find another watch that looks quite like this.
Final Thoughts
The SevenFriday PG/01 GMT is not for everyone. It is not supposed to be. Travelers who want maximum legibility and rugged utility might be better served by a Tudor, a Grand Seiko, or even a G-Shock. But if you are drawn to watches as design objects, as statements of personality, then this GMT deserves a closer look.
It represents a more mature side of SevenFriday, dialing back some of the chaos without losing its identity. A watch that acknowledges practicality but still dances to its own beat.
And maybe that is exactly what makes it special.