You Are right- the “Stop watch” shut off at 69 weeks, 483 years, when Messiah the prince was “cut off” but not for himself but for the people. It is soon to began the final countdown, 7 years of God’s dealings with Israel. But the “Great tribulation is the last half of that week.
The wrath of God begins early in that seven year period however. We see that it had already started with the opening of the first seals in Revelation 6. The Tribulation period is seven years. The great tribulation is the last half of those seven years. Those who are saved during this age of grace will no longer be on earth during that entire seven years.