Introducing: The Beaucroft Contour GMT And Solaris GMT Limited Edition In Collaboration With Time+Tide
Cambridge-based independent watchmaker Beaucroft announces two new timepieces focused on the GMT function. Crossing time zones is part of the job as an independent watchmaker sourcing components, building connections, and constantly spreading the word. That daily grind makes the GMT complication a natural next step for Beaucroft. Tracking dual time zones keeps the wearer punctual locally while maintaining a connection to HQ. Many travelers share this mindset. Beaucroft pushes it further by drawing inspiration from the views at 37,000 feet. Both the non-limited Contour GMT and the 200-piece Solaris GMT collaboration with Time+Tide use a 39.5mm steel case as the foundation.
I’m ashamed to admit that Beaucroft was one of several British brands I missed at this year’s British Watchmakers’ Day. I was flying solo, and 48 brands filled Lindley Hall. Moving between stands, shooting photos, and speaking with representatives takes time. Some stands, like Vertex, were three rows deep of enthusiasts, so I couldn’t even reach the front. Next year, I’ll change my approach and make time for brands like Pinion, Beaucroft, and others. That shift should also help me see upcoming releases ahead of launch. I would’ve loved to get hands-on with the Contour GMT, especially with its tropical teal dial. Beaucroft chose this shade to reflect the views of the Caribbean Sea from high altitude.
Beaucroft Contour GMT
The Contour GMT takes its name from the curvature of the Earth visible from the air. That gentle curve appears in the dial sectors and the box-shaped sapphire crystal. The raised minute track slopes downwards to the inner 24-hour scale. Beaucroft uses the same tropical teal tone across the dial, but different finishes create variation. Concentric grooves enhance the GMT scale, while sunray brushing highlights the center. As the watch moves, the color shifts. It can flick between light and dark, further emphasized by the crystal’s distortion.
Placing the GMT scale inside ensures the primary time display is the focus. A practical, quick-set 12-hour hand keeps local time clear and easy to adjust. Consequently, the 24-hour scale serves more as a secondary reference. Its dark-coated GMT hand stays discreet, revealing itself primarily through its light blue luminescent tip. This subtle approach feels intentional. You get a useful GMT function without it dominating daily wear.
Rhodium-plated hands and indexes follow the watch’s curved design language. The minute hand stretches elegantly to the outer track. However, the seconds hand places its X1 Super-LumiNova on the counterweight rather than at the tip. In low light, the glowing element doesn’t mark the true seconds. Still, Beaucroft applies lume generously, even on the printed minute track. The watch movement is the Miyota 9075, offering ±10 seconds per day deviation tolerance and a 42-hour power reserve. The 12.6mm-thick exterior provides water resistance to 100 meters and includes a screw-down crown. The Contour GMT retails for £795 / US$899, with buyers paying a 50% deposit, final payment due in July, and delivery expected in September 2026.
Beaucroft Solaris GMT Limited Edition with Time+Tide
The Solaris GMT follows the same architecture as the Contour but introduces a more expressive dial. Instead of Caribbean blues, it reflects a broader global perspective. Created with the Time+Tide London Watch Discovery Studio, this 200-piece edition celebrates the brand’s global reach. With studios in Melbourne, London, and New York, daylight always exists somewhere in the Time+Tide world.
Frequent flyers will recognize the inspiration. The dial mirrors that endless horizon seen on long-haul or red-eye flights. Its iridescent surface shifts between purple, orange, and shades in between. In the center is a hammered texture that evokes scattered clouds. The orange GMT hand includes matching lume, maintaining the design’s subtle cohesion rather than standing out sharply.
Bracelet and case finishing
Both models feature a surprisingly refined bracelet for an independent brand. The 316L stainless steel bracelet tapers from 20mm at the lugs to 16mm at the clasp. Screw links make adjustments simple and user-friendly. Quick-release spring bars make strap changes easy, while a push-button micro-adjust system improves comfort.
A scratch-resistant coating rated at 1,200–1,300 Vickers protects the case and bracelet. The finishing blends brushing, polishing, and bead-blasting for a premium feel. Both models use solid steel case backs with engraved details. The Solaris keeps things cleaner, highlighting only the Beaucroft and Time+Tide logos to emphasize the collaboration.
Priced at £800 / US$899, the Solaris GMT is available for pre-order now.
Final thoughts and where to buy
Both the Beaucroft Contour GMT and the Solaris GMT collaboration are available through the brand’s website. The Solaris remains limited to 200 pieces worldwide.
I especially enjoy the Solaris’s “chasing the horizon” concept, though both watches deliver striking dials. This GMT release marks an important step for Beaucroft. Perhaps we will see more variation in this new GMT range. The brand continues to hand-assemble and regulate each watch in Cambridge, UK.
What do you think of Beaucroft’s new GMT models? Let us know in the comments below.
