The Out of Order London Big Ben GMT (Ref. OOO.001-019.LO.SS), introduced between 2022 and 2023, is a unisex GMT watch developed by the Italian brand Out of Order with a distinctly sporty and travel-oriented approach. The model combines a Swiss Made quartz movement with an aesthetic dedicated to London, building its identity around dual-time functionality and a strongly distinctive dial.
This is not simply a conventional GMT with a geographical reference added to it. The urban theme is integrated directly into the dial composition and interacts with the two-tone bezel, creating a model aimed primarily at those who seek practicality while traveling without giving up an immediately recognizable design.
Its positioning remains accessible: its launch price places it in a segment where materials, Swiss movement, and aesthetic personalization play an important role in the overall evaluation.
Design
The dial represents the visual centerpiece of the design. Its blue-gray base features a graphic motif inspired by London, with a composition that evokes the urban identity of the British capital without resorting to a traditional or minimalist approach. The result is a layered surface rich in lines and contrasts, giving the watch a noticeably different character compared with GMT models featuring plain dials.
Against this elaborate background, large hour markers stand out. Circular elements alternate with more pronounced geometric references, creating a regular peripheral structure that visually contains the greater complexity of the central area. The minute track also remains confined toward the outer edge, helping to separate the time indications from the decorative motif.
The main hands are broad and clearly defined, while the hand dedicated to the second time zone features a red tip that introduces the dial’s most prominent color accent. This choice works not only functionally but aesthetically as well: the red deliberately interrupts a palette dominated by cool tones and becomes one of the model’s identifying details.
The bezel continues this interplay of contrasts through a blue and black combination. The large, light-colored numerals on the outer scale reinforce the sporty character, while the scalloped edge adds a more technical element to the overall appearance.
The stainless steel bracelet completes the design without pushing its identity toward a more elegant register. Its presence maintains visual continuity with the robust language of the case and contributes to the contemporary appearance of the watch.
Case & Construction
The case is made from 316L stainless steel with an Ultra Brushed finish. It measures 40 mm in diameter and 11 mm in thickness, with a 48.10 mm lug-to-lug distance and a 20 mm lug width. These proportions keep the overall dimensions under control despite the presence of a particularly prominent external bezel.
The construction follows a functional approach, with well-defined lugs and lateral guards surrounding the crown. The predominance of brushed surfaces is consistent with the model’s tool-watch nature and deliberately limits the more ornamental effect that extensive polished surfaces would create.
The rotating bezel features a deeply worked edge to improve grip and is designed for bidirectional rotation. The crystal is made from sapphire, while the bracelet uses the same 316L stainless steel selected for the case.
The stated water resistance reaches 100 meters, equivalent to 10 ATM, a rating consistent with everyday use and the sporty nature of the design. It does not turn the model into a diver, but it completes a construction intended to accompany travel and frequent use without requiring the precautions associated with a more delicate watch.
Movement
At the heart of the watch is the Ronda Caliber 515.24H, a Swiss-made quartz movement configured to handle the GMT indication.
The choice of Ronda clearly defines the watch’s technical philosophy. Out of Order favors a solution focused on practical accuracy, continuity of operation, and low-maintenance ownership, rather than using a mechanical caliber to increase the perceived complexity of the product.
Battery life is approximately 45 months. For a model intended for travel and potentially used as part of a broader watch rotation, this interval significantly reduces the need for routine intervention.
The caliber’s configuration integrates the indications required by the design without relying on an additional GMT module. It is therefore a technically straightforward solution consistent with the model’s positioning: its value does not lie in the mechanical sophistication of the movement, but in its ability to deliver the required functions through a proven and rational architecture.
The main compromise stems from this same approach. Those who consider the movement a fundamental part of the watchmaking experience will not find the engagement offered by a mechanical construction here. For those who prioritize accuracy and reduced maintenance, however, the Ronda is fully aligned with the intended use.
Functions & Complications
The main display includes hours, minutes, and central seconds. Despite the graphic complexity of the background, these indications retain a traditional hierarchy, while the GMT hand is immediately distinguished from the others by its red tip.
The additional indication forms the functional core of the model. The dedicated hand works together with the external 24-hour scale to display a second time zone without adding subdials or further openings to the dial.
The ability to rotate the bezel in both directions adds flexibility when using the external scale. Interaction therefore remains immediate: the peripheral reference can be repositioned quickly without changing the setting of the main time display.
Completing the available information is the date display positioned at 3 o’clock. The window occupies an intuitive position and keeps the calendar information separate from the dual-time display.
The overall configuration therefore remains focused on the requirements of a travel watch: main time, central seconds, GMT indication, date, and an external 24-hour reference coexist without introducing functions unrelated to the purpose of the design.
Performance
On the wrist, the case sits with a distinctly sporty yet controlled presence. The lug architecture keeps the watch head well contained, while the profile avoids an excessively bulky feel despite the visually prominent front.
The relationship between the dial surface and bezel creates a confident wrist presence. The watch does not seek the discretion of a dress watch, but its proportions make it less cumbersome than many sport GMT models with more substantial architectures.
The bracelet distributes the presence of the watch head across the wrist and gives the overall composition a visually balanced appearance. The continuity between the links and the case also promotes a sense of compactness, particularly appropriate for a model designed for everyday use.
The profile slips under a cuff without the bulk associated with especially thick tool watches, while retaining a distinctly casual and sporty character. The bezel and lateral guards remain noticeable, so the model never behaves like a formal timepiece.
Overall, the ergonomics follow a convincing logic: the wrist presence is sufficient to emphasize the design without turning the watch into an excessively dominant object. This is an important quality for a model intended to be worn for extended periods while traveling and during everyday activities.
Technical Data
Brand: Out of Order Watches;
Model: Out of Order London Big Ben GMT (Ref. OOO.001-019.LO.SS);
Year: 2022/2023;
Case Material: Stainless Steel 316L (Ultra Brushed);
Case Diameter: 40 mm;
Case Thickness: 11 mm;
Lug Width: 20 mm;
Lug-to-Lug: 48.10 mm;
Crystal: Sapphire Crystal;
Water Resistance: 100 m / 330 ft (10 ATM);
Battery Life: ~45 months;
Movement: Quartz Watches – Ronda Caliber 515.24H (Swiss Movement);
Functions: Hours, Minutes, Central Seconds, GMT Hand;
Complications: GMT / Dual Time, Date Display, Bidirectional Rotating 24-Hour Bezel;
Bracelet / Strap: Stainless Steel 316L Bracelet;
Type: GMT Watches, Sports Watches, Tool Watches, Travel Watches;
Sex: Unisex Watches;
Nationality: Italian Watches.
Retail Price (Launch): €400 / $430.
The Out of Order London Big Ben GMT works best when understood for what it aims to be: an accessible, functional, and visually distinctive travel watch, rather than a lower-priced alternative to high-end GMT watchmaking.
Its greatest strength is coherence. The London theme does not appear as a decorative element applied as an afterthought, but defines the character of the entire design. Its functional component remains readable and usable, preventing the graphic identity from turning the model into a purely aesthetic exercise.
There are genuine compromises as well. The highly distinctive visual language reduces versatility compared with a more understated GMT and makes the model less suitable for those who prefer minimalist dials. From a watchmaking perspective, the quartz movement prioritizes rationality and practicality over mechanical engagement: a sensible decision for the project, but an important consideration for the type of enthusiast it targets.
The value proposition is interesting if you are looking for something outside conventional formulas, with a distinct Italian identity and a technical approach focused on real-world use. The ideal wearer combines travel, everyday life, and informal clothing and considers originality of design as important as GMT functionality.
The verdict is positive: this is not a universal watch, and that is part of its character. If you appreciate the urban aesthetic of Out of Order and favor practicality over greater mechanical complexity, the London Big Ben GMT offers a convincing combination of personality, functionality, and accessible positioning.
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