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Michel GMT “Azure Signal” — a closer look at the final design

Sharing a few details of the Michel GMT in its Azure Signal configuration. This one was all about getting restraint right — keeping the dial calm, and letting small contrasts do the work.

The case is a 40mm stainless steel design with 70s-inspired geometry (somewhere between tonneau and cushion). It’s fully brushed on top with polished flanks, so it shifts a lot depending on light. On paper it’s 10.8mm thick, but on wrist it wears slimmer thanks to the short lugs and curved transitions.

The dial is where things got more complex than expected. It’s a multi-layer construction with separated planes for depth rather than surface texture. The idea was to avoid a “busy GMT” and instead build something that reads clean at a glance, with the azure GMT hand acting as the only real accent.

Side profile is intentionally simple — polished surfaces, soft step-downs, no sharp breaks. I wanted it to feel like a continuous object rather than stacked parts.

Inside is the Sellita SW330-2 GMT (Swiss Made), regulated in 5 positions, with a display caseback and decorated finishing.

Specs recap

• 40mm stainless steel case
• 10.8mm thickness / 47.1mm lug-to-lug
• Sellita SW330-2 GMT
• Sapphire crystal + AR
• 10 ATM water resistance
• Super-LumiNova X1
• 1200 HV anti-scratch treatment
• Italian leather strap (Cut-to-size rubber strap available as an add-on)
• Swiss Made (La Chaux-de-Fonds)

Price: CAD $2,105
https://tesse-watches.com/products/michel-gmt-azure-signal/

Curious how people feel about this balance between clean dial design and GMT functionality — does it work for you, or does it feel too restrained?

I wanted to share a closer look at the Michel GMT in the Azure Signal configuration — a variant inspired by the visual language of 1970s air travel.

The idea behind this piece comes from the “golden age” of jet travel, when airports and wayfinding systems relied heavily on bold color accents to guide people across time zones. That’s where the light blue GMT hand comes in — it’s not just a pop of color, it’s meant to function like a clear visual marker against the dial.

The base is a light grey sunburst dial that shifts quite a bit depending on lighting — sometimes flat and architectural, sometimes more reflective. It keeps things restrained so the GMT hand can really stand out.

This version is paired with a baby blue rubber strap, which gives it a much more relaxed, summer feel compared to leather. It wears light, and the contrast between the cool blue tones and brighter accents (especially when photographed against warm colors) really brings it to life.

A few details I personally appreciate:

• GMT hand presence is subtle — there when you need it, invisible when you don’t
• Subtle case finishing that plays with light without being overdone
• Color balance that feels vintage-inspired but not nostalgic

Curious what you all think — do you prefer GMTs to lean more tool-like and understated, or do you like when they embrace color like this?

• 40mm case Width
• 10.8mm case height
• 47.1mm Lug-To-Lug

https://tesse-watches.com/products/michel-gmt-azure-signal/

Hey everyone,

I run a small watch brand and just released a new version of our Michel GMT called the “Azure Signal.”

This one is a bit of a departure from our usual direction. We kept the same 70s-inspired case, but pushed it into something more seasonal:

• Light grey sunburst dial
• Bright blue GMT hand
• Baby blue rubber strap

The idea came from 1970s airport wayfinding — when color started being used as a clear signal across complex spaces. I wanted the GMT hand to feel instantly readable, almost like a visual marker rather than just another element on the dial.

It also ended up being the most “summer-ready” configuration we’ve made so far, which wasn’t really the original goal but kind of naturally happened.

Curious what you think:

• Does the GMT hand feel purposeful or too loud?
• Do you like seeing more seasonal variations from microbrands, or prefer sticking to timeless palettes?

Happy to answer anything about production, finishing, etc. Watches are finished and shipping now.

Selling for $1580 USD on the Italian leather strap, rubber strap sold separately.

www.tesse-watches.com