Whole 46 millimeters in diameter, the Edox Geoscope GMT 07002 3 C1 is designed with heroically proportioned people in mind. On the other hand (no pun intended), the timekeeper doesn’t make an impression of a watch whose single purpose is to look big. Its massiveness stems from its function: there is a dial that needs to be large to ensure adequate legibility and so there is a large case to house it. That’s probably the main reason why it doesn’t look stupid: its form follows function.
While there is still a great number of people that consider the massive and often bulbous “sporty” watches distasteful if not plain ugly, there is a new trend of either re-introducing those gigantic beasts from the 1970s either as faithful reproductions with only minor and almost unnoticeable cosmetic refinements here and there (and, of course, with new movements since the older one are getting harder and harder to come by) or making “tributes” to the legendary models of the past.
I am not sure whether it is due to a lack of ideas or a certain nostalgia for the long-gone era is to blame, but, truth be told, can only welcome the trend: today’s slick, almost perfect specimen designed with cutting-edge CAD software and machined with almost frightening precision by the most advanced tools are starting to get on my nerves with their unforgiving perfectness.
While similar in style to the 1970s original, the 2014 Geoscope is not a reissue, but rather a kind of homage. Although the decade was far from being extremely successful for the Swiss brand, they probably feel some sort of longing, too.
First of all, the case is different.
While the signature octadecagonal bezel is still there, the new body is a lot more refined. Very modern and bearing the family resemblance with their modern collection (check, for example, this limited-edition Dakar model), the case with its integrated bracelet (which may be a problem if you ever decide to find a replacement) still resembles those old watches of the past with the beautiful Omega Constellation 166.055 is probably the first one to come to mind.
The dial, too, doesn’t look as complex, but this, to my opinion, is a good thing: with thinner lines, fewer details, and more watered-down colors, the dial looks lighter and more pleasant to look at. As before, it is synchronized with the inner 24-hour GMT scale and can be rotated using the polished, but easy-to-grip bezel.
Time in the second time zone is indicated with a thin secondary hour hand that features an unusual, fork-shaped tip. Regretfully, the indicator doesn’t have any Superluminova on it, which may pose a problem in certain circumstances.
Its functionality has also been expanded with a medium-sized sub-dial that features a circular date display. Giving the timekeeper’s designers their due, I must admit that the extra display doesn’t make the dial look any more cluttered and doesn’t draw too much attention to itself.
The ref. 07002 3 C1 will arrive as a limited edition of only 300 numbered pieces.
See also: Corum Admiral’s Cup Legend 42 Meteorite Dual Time in Rose Gold
Photos: Edox, Chrono24.com
WWR verdict
Originality 4.5/5
Build quality: 5/5
Usability: 4.5/5
Legibility: 4.5/5
Value for money: 4/5
Overall Rating: 4.5/5
Edox Geoscope GMT Automatic (07002 3 C1) specification
Price: $5400 (Retail)
Movement: Automatic, Edox caliber 07 (base Sellita SW 300 with Dubois-Depraz 312 add-on module,) Swiss Made
Number of jewels: 21
Movement frequency: 28,800 vph
Power reserve: 42 hours
Functions: Hours, minutes, seconds, date, GMT (second time-zone), day/night display
Case: Stainless steel
Shape: Round
Size: 46.00 mm
Dial: Printed Earth map
Numerals: Arabic (24-hour GMT scale)
Hour markers: Luminous, yellow
Hands: Luminous
Water resistance: 200 meters
Strap: Stainless steel multilink bracelet
Crystal: Sapphire, antireflective
Back: Solid