Given that March LA.B was founded by a trio of individuals who reside across the world from each other in Los Angeles and Biarritz (hence the “LA.B” part of its name), a GMT watch has always seemed like a natural fit for the French brand’s catalog. However, while multi-timezone functionality has been notably absent from March LA.B’s offerings, the company’s latest release of 2024 aims to fill this void in its lineup. To this end, the new March LA.B AM2 GMT expands upon the blueprint of the brand’s flagship AM2 model with an automatic GMT movement from La Joux-Perret.

At the time of launch, the March LA.B AM2 GMT series spans three different models, which consist of two core-collection offerings and one DLC-coated version that will be produced as a limited edition of 133 examples. The two standard-production AM2 GMT watches both have stainless steel cases with brushed and polished surfaces, and they are available with the option of either a black dial or one in the brand’s signature hue of “Grall” green. Meanwhile, the limited-edition AM2 GMT is fitted with the same black dial as its core-collection sibling; however, it features a case with entirely brushed surfaces, and it is finished with a black DLC coating contrasted by brushed steel accents on its bezel and winding crown. Additionally, while the standard-production March LA.B AM2 GMT watches are available with either a two-piece silicone strap or a matching stainless steel bracelet, the limited-edition version is exclusively paired with a black DLC-coated bracelet to match its case.

The case of the new March LA.B AM2 GMT watches will be immediately familiar to those who have previous experience with the brand’s models, and it offers a highly angular profile that could best be described as a mix between a rectangle and an octagon. While this rather unusual case shape is slightly reminiscent of the watches that were popularized throughout the 1970s, it also represents a fairly significant departure from the classic TV-style cases of the era, and the prominent placement of the crown at 4 o’clock further adds to the AM2 collection’s distinct appearance. Creating a new non-round case that is still comfortable on the wrist and cohesive from a design perspective, is far more difficult than many would expect, and March LA.B’s AM2, case strikes a nice balance of being both sporty and refined, while still feeling like a tangibly different offering compared to the various other unconventionally shaped watches within the industry.

Despite their additional functionality, the March LA.B AM2 GMT watches offer identical dimensions to the standard AM2 Automatic models, and their stainless steel cases measure 39mm in diameter by 12.5mm thick, with a lug width of 22mm and a fairly compact overall profile of 44mm. The weight of the AM2 GMT comes in at approximately 77 grams (not including its strap or bracelet), while water resistance for the new GMT-equipped models remains at a respectable 100 meters. Just like their three-handed counterparts, the new AM2 GMT watches feature box-shaped sapphire crystals above their dials, signed screw-down crowns at 4 o’clock, and screw-on casebacks that feature bright green display windows. While March LA.B does not specify the material that is used for the green-tinted caseback window, it is more than likely some type of mineral glass, as the additional expense of using colored sapphire would be impractical for a component on the back of the watch that has a small chance of receiving significant wear or damage.

Available in either black or the brand’s signature shade of “Grall” green, the dials fitted to the March LA.B AM2 GMT watches offer a similar overall style to what can be found among the brand’s current AM2 Automatic models, and they feature a textured center section, applied hour markers, and a date window at 6 o’clock. However, the center section of AM2 GMT’s dial showcases a diamond-pattern motif, and surrounding the outer periphery of the display is an additional 24-hour scale with a split-color finish. Additionally, while the hands on the AM2 GMT appear in the same partially skeletonized baton style as what can be found on the standard time-and-date AM2 models, they are joined by a fourth 24-hour hand with a perforated arrow-shaped tip. Aside from very thin strips of lume on the hour and minute hand, the March LA.B AM2 GMT is otherwise entirely devoid of luminous material, and all three versions feature small bright green accents on the tips of their 24-hour hands and for the “GMT” text on their dials.

Powering the March LA.B AM2 GMT watches is the Swiss La Joux-Perret Caliber G110 automatic movement, which offers “caller” style GMT functionality with independent adjustment of both its date display and 24-hour hand. Running at a frequency of 28,800vph (4 Hz), the La Joux-Perret G110 is an alternative design to familiar Swiss GMT movements like the ETA 2893 and Sellita SW330; however, it offers a longer duration of autonomy with a power reserve of approximately 68 hours. Additionally the Cal. G110 movements that March LA.B uses inside the AM2 GMT are fitted with custom rotors that feature a brushed finish with diagonal cut-outs reminiscent of the brand’s logo. While there will inevitably be some who wish that March LA.B had used a “flier” style movement, the AM2 GMT isn’t specifically intended to be a travel watch, and the more conventional “caller” style approach is actually more convenient unless you actually find yourself frequently moving between different timezones.

While the limited-edition version of the March LA.B AM2 GMT is exclusively offered with a matching black DLC-finished bracelet, the two standard-production models are both available with either a black silicone strap or a stainless steel H-link bracelet, which appears to be the same general style as what can be found on the limited-edition AM2 Titanium we reviewed earlier this year. Tapering from 22mm at the lugs down to 18mm on the underside of the wrist, the silicone strap for the AM3 GMT offers a fairly standard design, and it is completed by a traditional tang-style buckle that is crafted from brushed stainless steel and engraved with the brand’s logo. With that in mind, both the inner and outer surfaces of the silicone strap are embossed with a diagonal line motif that is inspired by March LA.B’s logo, and this provides the strap with a cohesive appearance that complements the geometric lines of the AM2 collection’s case.

Meanwhile, the stainless steel bracelet for the March LA.B AM2 GMT offers the same 22mm to 18mm taper as the silicone strap, and it features a thin and refined profile, with brushed surfaces contrasted by thin high-polished bevels running down the sides of its outer links. Although the bracelet connects to the case with integrated quick-release springbars and its components are all machined from solid pieces of stainless steel, the links are secured by double-sided screws (which results in a rather tedious sizing process), and the clasp for the bracelet is the rather antiquated “jewelry” style of closure system, which means that it lacks any type of adjustability and takes a little bit of practice to fluidly operate. Compared to what can be found on modern watch bracelets, a jewelry-style clasp undeniably feels a bit outdated, although it offers an incredibly slim and elegant design that perfectly integrates with the flat H-shaped links connected to it.

Quite a few highly compelling GMT watches have been released over the course of the last few years, and while consumers are now spoilt for choice within this category of timepieces, the distinct styling of the March LA.B AM2 GMT allows it to stand out among the sea of other watches that offer this same functionality. At the time of writing, the two standard-production March LA.B AM2 GMT watches cost $1,850 USD when purchased on a strap or $2,045 USD when buyers opt for the stainless steel bracelet, while the black DLC version is priced at $2,220 USD and it will be produced as a limited edition of 133 examples. Compared to the brand’s three-handed AM2 Automatic models, the additional premium for the new GMT-equipped versions only amounts to a total of a couple hundred dollars, and the new AM2 GMT offers everything that collectors enjoy about the brand’s flagship collection with the added utility of a secondary timezone display. For more information on the March LA.B AM2 GMT, please visit the brand’s website.