I had heard about Beaufort until recently, but never had a chance to check out any watches from this brand. Well, things have changed with the introduction of the brand’s latest creation, the Fiordland GMT. This watch exudes plenty of vintage flair and is paired with a modern Flyer-style GMT movement. Beaufort sent us two of the four variations to take for a spin. Let’s take a closer look at this traveler’s watch from Beaufort.
The Fiordland GMT is Beaufort’s fourth model. Thor previously featured the brand’s SeaTrekker and Pulsatimer Chronograph diver’s watches. Both watches perfectly demonstrate how Beaufort draws design inspiration from different eras of watchmaking. The SeaTrekker is clearly inspired by the iconic diving watches of the 1970s, while the Pulsatimer is inspired by the great chronographs of the 1950s. For the new Fiordland GMT, Beaufort once again used some 50s design elements and combined them with modern specifications.
Beaufort Fiordland GMT details
The Fiordland GMT has a 39mm stainless steel case with a thickness of 12.8mm and a lug-to-lug length of 47mm. A 20mm strap or bracelet is attached between these lugs, making the watch 100m water resistant. Overall, the Fiordland GMT has good proportions, and the solid lugs help give the case character.
The case combines a double-domed box-shaped sapphire crystal with a fixed stainless steel GMT bezel. The bezel is engraved with large numbers and markings filled with white C1 Super-LumiNova that glows green. This allows you to read both home time and local time even in the dark.
Beaufort offers this watch in four dial colors. I brought Martini Gray and Negroni Orange for review. Additionally, there are also Mojito Green and Tuxedo Black versions. At first glance, Martini Gray looks very monochromatic, but the Negroni Orange version has an impressive vibrancy. This is a good representation of the series as a whole. If you zoom in on the dial, you can see quite a bit of detail.
Fiordland GMT detailed dial
First, there is a silver knurled outer ring that holds the outer marker. A second ring, adopting the main color of the dial, has separate hour markers and a minute/seconds track. Moving further into the center of the dial, you’ll see a textured area with crosshairs and stamped text finished in white. The top half lists the brand and model name, and the bottom half lists the GMT function and water resistance.
Floating above the intricate dial are dagger-shaped hour and minute hands, a slim seconds hand, and an arrow-tipped GMT hand. All hands have luminous elements and are a combination of silver and white.
GMT hands do not have contrasting colors, so they are a very homogeneous set of hands. But thanks to the contrast between dark and light gray, you’ll have no trouble reading the time in either time zone.
Overall, the dial has a lot of charm and detail. What also stood out was the fairly simple execution of some details. Standout examples include the luminous arrow tip of the GMT hand and the white text on the bottom half of the dial.
I was also struck by the contrast between the classically sophisticated dial and the large, modern-looking numbers on the bezel. I agree that this contrast gives it some personality, but I think there could have been a better balance between the two.
Miyota 9075 Flyer Style GMT
Turning the watch around reveals the Miyota 9075 caliber that powers it. Microbrands often use this affordable Flyer-style GMT movement, making it easy to independently adjust the 12-hour hand to local time while traveling. This movement operates at 28,800 vibrations per hour, has 24 jewels, and has a 42-hour power reserve.
The finishes on the calibers are all very simple and industrial. While I understand that it’s fun for new watch enthusiasts to look at the movement, I preferred the all-steel caseback because the finish on the movement isn’t attractive enough to wow the wearer. In general, this also helps shave off some of the thickness of the case. But thankfully, the Beaufort Fiordland GMT doesn’t have any issues in that regard. The overall look is modest, so it’s easy to wear.
Selection of bracelets and straps
The Fiordland GMT is offered on two bracelets and two straps. The first option is an Oyster-style bracelet with a folding buckle and push-button release. The second is an 11-strand bracelet with a butterfly clasp that adds a vintage touch.
The third is a black TPU Tropic style strap with a stainless steel buckle. Finally, there is also the option of an Italian leather strap with a steel pin buckle.
We had the first three options for review, and it’s fun to see how the aesthetic changes completely depending on your preferred choice. At the Fratello office, most people preferred the Tropic style straps. But I happen to like the 11 row bracelet the best. This is because it adds a retro feel and fits best with the overall style.
In terms of quality, both bracelets are top notch. They’re not the best I’ve seen in the 500-600 euro price range, but they’re also not the worst. The strap is very comfortable and balances the watch perfectly on your wrist.
Wearing the Beaufort Fiordland GMT
Thanks to its well-proportioned case, the Beaufort Fiordland GMT fits snugly on your wrist. There is a clear difference in the presence of the two models. The Negroni Orange version brings nice color while the Martini Gray version is monochromatic and muted.
I quite liked the latter, as it’s easy to wear on different occasions. Switching between the two bracelets is easy thanks to the quick release system used on the bracelet. However, I would have liked to have seen the same quick-release spring bar used in the strap.
If you replace one bracelet with a black TPU strap, the presence will completely change. The best way to describe it would be that the Fiordland went from an everyday-wear watch to an early dive-style watch. Of course, I’m not a diver, but the TPU strap definitely gives it a sporty vibe. But my favorite option was the 11-row stainless steel bracelet. Maximizing its retro appeal, it best differentiates the Fiordland from its similarly priced GMT competitors.
Final thoughts on Beaufort Fiordland GMT
Overall, the new Beaufort Fiordland GMT series stands out due to its 1950s-inspired design elements. It provides a look that many people like. Additionally, this watch offers the desirable practicality of a Flyer-style GMT for frequent travelers. So for those looking for their next microbrand watch for around 500 euros, there’s a lot to like. Priced at 529 euros, these new Beaufort models are definitely great value for money. But selling watches at that price level comes with some sacrifices. The dial could be better and the bracelet quality is decent at best.
That doesn’t mean these Beaufort watches are any less attractive than other brands in this price range. There is a lot of competition in this market, especially when it comes to bracelets, and most brands are forced to make do with standard solutions.
Considering that fact, and the effort Beaufort has put into making the design of the Fiordland GMT stand out, this watch is a great option for watch enthusiasts looking for a daily or travel timepiece for less than 600 euros. There is a possibility that As such, the Beaufort Fiordland GMT is a welcome addition to the brand’s lineup.
For more information, please visit Beaufort’s official website. Let us know in the comments your favorite version of Fiordland GMT.
