Graphic designer Herman Tantriady founded Lima Watch in 2014, in Indonesia. Despite more than a decade in business, online mentions of Lima are rare. I heard about the company in late ’25, when a photo of their GMT Transit popped up in a news feed. The micro brand watch world is full of derivative designs. The brutalist design of the GMT Transit stands out. I was hooked, and ordered one.

Lima Watch was sold out, so I checked with their dealers and found a black dial version at Chez Maman in Paris. I clicked ajouter au sac, and waited.

Thanks to the new world of US tariffs and the elimination of the de minimis exemption, I waited about a month. Most of that time my package sat in a FedEx warehouse in Memphis, waiting to clear customs.

I took a flyer on this purchase, and it’s been better than I could have hoped. It wears comfortably, despite the significant overhang of the lugs, and the Alcantara strap feels more lux than it probably is. A Seiko NH34 caller-style movement keeps reasonably good time, and powers a GMT hand for a second time zone.

I love a dial that incorporates good typography, and this one checks that box. It’s readable, and even the tiny 24-hour scale on the outer track is easier to see than I expected. Skeleton hands show local time, and a giant yellow GMT hand tracks a second time zone. Yeah, it’s huge, but it never looks out of proportion. I would love some lume on the dial and hands, the lack of that is one of the few shortcomings.

All in all, the Lima Watch GMT Transit stands out from so many micro brand watches. Distinctive design? Check. Fun to wear? Check. More than basic functionality? Check. Reasonably priced? Again, check.

I’m a fan of Lima, and their funky blue Kronosprinter may be the next addition to my collection.