Henki Shares His FAVORITE Summer Watches!

Is a post that you will NEVER see on Henki Time ; )

But with that being said, what I thought I might so is share one of the coolest watches that I once owned, one that is still available from Gorilla -

Courtesy of Gorilla

This is the RS White from Gorilla's Fastback collection. It originally came out some time back, but for me it still epitomizes what is really cool about the Gorilla brand. I bought mine back in 2019 from Watch Gauge, if memory serves me correctly. I wore it quite a bit, but it was part of my collection that I put up for sale to aid relief agencies working in Ukraine following the Russian invasion.

Courtesy of Gorilla

The case is substantial without being overwhelming. It measures 44 mm in diameter, and is crafted of varying composites and layers (more specifically detailed below). The movement is a self-winding (automatic) Miyota 8215.

There are retail locations, or you can always order direct from Gorilla.

Here are the pertinents -

CASE:
Forged carbon case
Ceramic bezel
Anodized aluminum pinstripe
Screw-down titanium crown for improved water resistance
Diameter: 44.00 mm
Thickness: 13mm
With crown guards: 48.50mm
Lug to lug: 57mm
Water resistance: 100M/330FT/10ATM
Scratch resistant sapphire, double anti-reflective coating
Brushed titanium caseback
Engraved periodic symbols of the material composition

DIAL:
Matte dial
White Super-Luminova™ printed numerals
Super-Luminova™ filled hour disc, minute hand, and hour markers

MOVEMENT:

Miyota 8215, self-winding, 3Hz/21.600 vph

STRAP:

FKM Rubber & Cordura™ hybrid, titanium pin buckle 

The Fastback GT Nomad

From Gorilla -

Courtesy of Gorilla

The dynamic duo of Lukas Gopp and Octavio Garcia continue to amaze and delight. The Fastback GT Nomad reinforces their design language, offering a truly fun watch at a truly reasonable price.

Courtesy of Gorilla

The Fastback GT Nomad's case is 
crafted from layered forged carbon, with a ceramic bezel, and an anodized aluminum pinstripe.  It measures 44 mm in diameter, and 57 mm lug to lug, with a titanium case back with a display window. Under the hood is the Miyota 90S5, self winding movement.

The strap is described as Viton™ & perforated leather hybrid.

It is priced at $1,680 US.

Here are the pertinents -

CALIBER
Miyota 90S5, self-winding, 4 Hz, stop seconds, exposed balance wheel, personalized oscillation weight

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, sweeping seconds

CASE MATERIAL
Layered forged carbon case, ceramic bezel, anodized aluminum pinstripe, screw-down titanium crown for improved water resistance

CASEBACK
Open titanium caseback, engraved, sapphire crystal

DIAL
Anodized aluminum, applied numerals filled with Super-Luminova™, anodized aluminum flange, hands and hour markers filled with Super-Luminova™

CRYSTAL
Scratch resistant sapphire, anti-reflective coating on both sides

STRAP
Viton™ & perforated leather hybrid

BUCKLE
Titanium pin buckle

CASE DIMENSIONS
44 mm case diameter
48.5 mm with crown guards
13 mm case thickness
57 mm lug-to-lug

WATER RESISTANCE
100M/330FT/10ATM

The Legacy: When FOMO Is A Reasonable Response

From Gorilla Watches -

Courtesy of Gorilla

FOMO.  It's a term we hear bandied around quite a it. It speaks to the anxiety or fear of missing out on something when you have the opportunity to get it, but you worry that your decision making paradigm might not be efficient or quick enough for you to take possession of that which you truly desire. And for some watch collectors this can be worse than a failed relationship. As the old saying goes, there are plenty of other fish in the sea (yes, in today's climate change reality even that old chestnut is debatable), but missing out on the Original Gorilla Fastback has haunted me far worse than the unrequited love I had for a certain girl growing up in Northern Ohio in the early 80s.

With all that being said, allow me to acquaint you with the Gorilla Legacy. And I say this without fear of contradiction - this watch IS THE SHIT THAT KILLED ELVIS! (that's good).

Courtesy of Gorilla Watches

It's Déjà vu all over again!

The Legacy looks completely different, yet hauntingly the same.  Go figure! 

The case's vital statistics are as follows:

44 mm case diameter
48.5 mm with crown guards
13 mm case thickness
57 mm lug-to-lug

But it's not just about the dimensions, but rather the dimensions explored with the materials used to make said case:

Layered forged carbon case and bezel, anodized aluminum pinstripe, screw-down titanium crown for improved water resistance

Courtesy of Gorilla Watches

The case back is of titanium.

The movement is, as you've come to know and expect, a Miyota.  In this instance it is the 8215 (self-winding/automatic).

The price is reasonable - refreshingly so at $980 which if my reading is correct will include shipping.  

Here are all the pertinents, straight from Gorilla HQ:

CALIBER

Miyota 8215, self-winding, 3Hz/21.600 vph

FUNCTIONS

Hour, minute, sweeping seconds

CASE MATERIAL

Layered forged carbon case and bezel, anodized aluminum pinstripe, screw-down titanium crown for improved water resistance

CASEBACK

Titanium caseback, engraved

DIAL

Forged carbon, anodized aluminum, numerals printed with Super-Luminova™, hands and hour markers filled with Super-Luminova™

CRYSTAL

Scratch resistant sapphire, anti-reflective coating on both sides

STRAP

Bi-color Viton™

BUCKLE

Titanium pin buckle

CASE DIMENSIONS

44 mm case diameter
48.5 mm with crown guards
13 mm case thickness
57 mm lug-to-lug

WATER RESISTANCE

100M/330FT/10ATM

The Phantom Black

From Gorilla -

Courtesy of Gorilla

SOOOOOO Drip!

So that we are all 100% crystal-clear, I am a great fan of Gorilla and the watches that Lukas Gopp and Octavio Garcia put out. While everyone else in Watch Town is racking their brains as to how to push out a stainless steel watch with integrated bracelet as fast as they can, the dynamic duo behind the Fastback quietly go about their business, making watches that make sense to them - and certainly make sense to me and a very vocal online following.

Courtesy of Gorilla Watches

As mentioned, this is the Phantom Black.  A quieter, dare I say it - stealthier take on the Fastback.  (see what I did there?)

The Fastback collection is great for a lot of reasons, but Gorilla is more than just a collection of popular watches. It is a case study in setting your own agenda as a brand and having the courage of your convictions to see it through.

Viva Gorilla!

Now for those of you so inclined, you can pick up the Phantom Black for a refreshingly affordable price - $880 US!

Here are the pertinents -

MOVEMENT
Miyota 8215, self-winding,
3Hz/21.600 vph

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, sweeping seconds

CASE MATERIAL
Forged carbon case, ceramic bezel, anodized aluminum pinstripe, screw-down titanium crown for improved water resistance

CASEBACK
Titanium, engraved

DIAL
Matte dial, natural Super-Luminova™ printed numerals, anodized aluminum flange, Super-Luminova™ filled hour disc, minute hand, and hour markers

CRYSTAL
Scratch resistant sapphire,
anti-reflective coating on both sides

STRAP
FKM rubber, Cordura™

BUCKLE
Titanium pin buckle

CASE DIMENSIONS
44 mm case diameter
48.5 mm with crown guards
13 mm case thickness
57 mm lug-to-lug

WATER RESISTANCE
100M/330FT/10ATM

The MOTION Automatic 24

This is one of the first offerings of a new brand from France, SYE -

Courtesy of SYE

After a successful crowdfunding effort, the SYE MOTION Automatic 24 is now ready to meet the general public.  Assembled in Besançon, and shipped around the world.

The case is of stainless steel and measures 40.55 mm in diameter.  The movement is the Miyota 8217, which provides hours, minutes, seconds and a 24 hour indicator.

Courtesy of SYE

But for me, one of the most intriguing aspects is the strap system which allows for a quick strap change with the use of a casebook tool.  The look is not entirely dissimilar to the original Omega Dynamic.

Courtesy of SYE

Here are the pertinents -

CASE
Material: stainless steel 316L
Construction: 5-part case construction
Crystal: scratch-resistant & AR coated sapphire
Caseback: Fastback™ system
Water resistance: 50 meters (5 ATM)


DIMENSIONS
Diameter: 40,5mm
Width (incl crown): 43,5mm
Thickness : 13,4mm
Weight: 100g (3,53 oz) approx.


DIAL
Colors: Silver or Smoky grey brushed steel dial
Functions: hour, minute, second, date, 24h sub-dial
Hands: diamond shape with Superluminova™ coating


STRAP
Fastback™ Premium strap among 10 variations
Lining: full grain Italian calf in SYE blue
Stitches: constrasting stitches
Buckle: brushed stainless steel deployment buckle
Length: 120/80mm (long/short strap)


MOVEMENT
Type: automatic mechanical movement
Caliber: Miyota 8217
Jewels: 21 jewels
Frequency: 21 600 alternances / hour (3 Hz)
Power reserve: 42 hours

Warranty: 2 years

Three New Tasty Gorilla Fastbacks!

Just in time to prolong the magic that is Gorilla Watches (yes, I am a wee-bit biased), Gorilla has quietly released three new versions of their Fastback!  So get your flip-flops and sun screen, it's going to be a great summer!

Up first is the Hugger Orange -

Courtesy of Gorilla

This latest series offers the customer the choice of two different strap options, with a mono-color option (above), as well as a bi-color option (below) -

Courtesy of Gorilla

The case composition is etched out in bold on the case back -

Courtesy of Gorilla

But for the even more precise among you per Gorilla:

CNC milled titanium, anodized aluminum, ceramic

Coming in hot at number 2, is the Galaxy Blue -

Courtesy of Gorilla

Courtesy of Gorilla

Courtesy of Gorilla

And last, but by no means least, the Stinger Yellow -

Courtesy of Gorilla

Courtesy of Gorilla

Courtesy of Gorilla

Best of all?  Unless I have missed something, I believe that this new Fastback Titanium collection is coming in as the MOST AFFORDABLE Gorilla watch so far!  Seems as if Festivus came early this year!  Available now starting at $790 for the Monochrome (single color) strap, and $830 for the bi-color.

Shamelessly Borrowed from the World-Wide Info-web

Here are the pertinents -

                    SPECIFICATIONS

MOVEMENT
Miyota 8215, Self-winding

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, seconds hands

CASE DIMENSIONS
44 mm case diameter
48.5 mm with crown guard

CASE MATERIAL
CNC milled titanium, anodised aluminium,
ceramic

CRYSTAL
Scratch resistant sapphire,
anti-reflective coating, both sides

CROWN
Screw-down for improved water resistance

WATER RESISTANCE
100 meters / 330 feet / 10 ATM

BRACELET
Monochrome or bi-color Viton rubber strap,
titanium pin buckle

WEIGHT
140 grams with strap and buckle

The SVIPE

From Gorilla -

Courtesy of Gorilla

This is the latest offering from the dynamic duo behind Gorilla, Lukas Gopp and Octavio Garcia.  But before you jump to the conclusion that this is just a different color variation to the Fastback Collection, one key thing sets this limited edition apart.  

Courtesy of Gorilla

The casebook and crown are of titanium, the first in the Gorilla stable to use it.  

Courtesy of Gorilla

The SVIPE is limited to 77 pieces, and was produced in collaboration with Alejandro Salomon (AKA Salomondrin).  
Priced at $950, the SVIPE is limited to 77 pieces total.  It is 
available either direct from Gorilla, or at Mr. Salomon's online retail site.

Here are the pertinents -

MOVEMENT
Miyota 9015, Self-winding
4 Hz / 28.800 vph, stop seconds

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, seconds hands

CASE DIMENSIONS
44 mm case diameter
48.5 mm with crown guard

CASE MATERIAL
Titanium, anodised aluminium,
ceramic

CRYSTAL
Scratch resistant sapphire,
anti-reflective coating, both sides

CROWN
Screw-down for improved water resistance

WATER RESISTANCE
100 meters / 330 feet / 10 ATM

BRACELET
Bi-color Viton rubber strap,
titanium pin buckle

WEIGHT
110 grams with strap and buckle

The Fastback GT Bandit

From Gorilla -

Courtesy of Gorilla

The second new piece from the dynamic duo behind the Gorilla brand is the Bandit.

Like the other members of the Fastback collection, the Bandit's case measures 44 mm in diameter and is a multi material composition - forged carbon, anodized aluminum, titanium, ceramic and steel.

The movement is, once again, the Miyota 90S5, with the exposed balance wheel at at the dial's 5:00 o'clock position.

Unlike the Mirage that is limited to 250 pieces, the Bandit is (as far as I understand it).   

Here are all of the pertinents, straight from the source -

Movement:
Miyota 90S5, Self-winding
4Hz / 28.800 vph, stop seconds

Functions:
Hour, minute, seconds

Dial:
Applied numerals, open heart, luminous hands & markers

Case Dimensions:
44 mm case diameter 48.5 mm with crown guard

Case Materials:
Forged carbon, anodized aluminum, titanium, ceramic,

Caseback: 

Open titanium caseback, sapphire crystal

Crystal:
Scratch resistant sapphire, anti-reflective coating, both sides

Crown:
Screw-down for improved water resistance

Water Resistance:
100 meters / 330 feet / 10 ATM

Bracelet: 

Bi-color Viton rubber strap, titanium pin buckle

Weight:
110 grams with strap and buckle

Recommended Retail Price:
1150 USD, excl. tax

 

Why I Bought It - The Gorillia Fastback RS White

So it seems it is going to be a "Gorilla - heavy" few days here at Tempus Fugit ; )

I have been somewhat beguiled by the Gorilla Fastback ever since I clapped eyes on it at last year's (2017) BaselWorld.  It was a fun watch with some very serious, very genuine design bona-fides.

And the limited edition introductory piece came and went before I could even blink, but another model would come to vie for my attention. 

The Fastback is available in the white you see above, and two black versions, one with a very cool acid green pairing, the other with a camouflage strap.  The white, however, has always stayed with me.  

The size and the shape of the Gorilla is a little bit out of my usual wheelhouse, and I suppose in a way that is part of the appeal.

A lot of what is great about the Gorilla is not really "knowable" until you have one on your wrist.  At that point, it is almost a moment of "conversion".  If you were on the fence at all, you will likely be in at that point ; )

The Gorilla benefits from a seemingly random confluence of cool things:

2 very talented designers with a very strong background in high end watches - Lukas Gopp and Octavio Garcia.

A very, very cool design.

A legitimate mechanical watch with a more affordable, Japanese self-winding movement.

A very affordable entry point at $880.

In the US, a very dynamic retail partner who introduced the Gorilla Collection to the US market place with their online store, Watch Gauge.

And it was Watch Gauge where I was able to purchase my very own Gorilla Fastback, and it sits happily on my wrist as I write this post.

Ultimately, a watch is not something we need in this day in age.  It is something that speaks to us on a different level.  And thank goodness their are interesting options out there like Gorilla, and there are retail partners like Watch Gauge dedicated to offering those somewhat less obvious, but certainly more interesting options.

Enjoy your watches!

The Gorilla Mirage

Gorilla has come out with two new models, and they should draw a lot of new fans and (I suspect) quite a few returning customers.

I'm going to serve them up one at a time to help "prolong the magic".  Both new pieces make up what Gorilla has dubbed the Fastback GT Collection.

First up is the Mirage -

Courtesy of Gorilla

The Mirage takes its design cues from the car that won the 1968 edition of Le Mans (A story from the folks at Top Gear can be found here - Top Gear).

Having made my own personal debut in 1968, I feel a certain affinity, but it doesn't hurt that the watch is AMAZINGLY cool!

The case is layered, and like the earlier Gorillas it takes advantage of several unique materials to create something really special.
The case back is titanium, and features a sapphire crystal display back.  The case itself carbon (that's woven, forged carbon), with Gorilla's now signature aluminum "pinstripe" detail sitting between the main carbon case and the ceramic bezel.  The top crystal is sapphire as well, and the crown is titanium (screw down).

The movement is Miyota's 90S5, a change from the earlier Gorilla Fastback collection.  And this is highlighted visually by the dial of the Mirage, which has a partial cut-out to display to display the a part of the movement in action.

This little piece of mechanical awesomeness is limited to 250 pieces, so put your foot to the pedal if you're interested ; )

Here are the pertinents, straight from the folks at Gorilla (editor's note, I've changed some of the spelling to the US version, I mean, "aluminium"?  And considering that Charles Martin Hall is from my home town of Oberlin Ohio, and that he helped industrialize the use of aluminum, we're going with the American version).

MOVEMENT
Miyota 90S5, Self-winding
4 Hz / 28.800 vph, stop seconds

FUNCTIONS
Hour, minute, seconds

CASE DIMENSIONS
44 mm case diameter
48.5 mm with crown guard 

CASE MATERIAL
Forged carbon, anodized aluminum,
titanium, ceramic, steel
 
CRYSTAL
Scratch resistant sapphire,
anti-reflective coating, both sides
 
CROWN
Screw-down for improved water resistance

WATER RESISTANCE
100 meters / 330 feet / 10 ATM
 
BRACELET
Bi-color Viton rubber strap,
titanium pin buckle
 
WEIGHT
110 grams with strap and buckle

The Fastback

From Gorilla!

Courtesy of Gorilla

So after you've collectively worked for Omega, Audemars Piguet and IWC among others, what's the next logical step?  You create a brand new watch brand called Gorilla, of course!

Courtesy of Gorilla

I got to spend some time with the two men behind Gorilla, Lukas Gopp and Octavio Garcia during this year's Wine & Time event and then later during my "office hours" at the Ramada.  And they are both very interesting guys with impeccable backgrounds.  But I'm going to swim against the stream and focus on the watch itself.  

I think the first thing that truly struck me was the way that the different materials used for the case truly complemented each other.  All too often, brands both mighty and small spit out watches with cases that look more like the result of a fifth grade art class than an actual design.  Not so with the Gorilla Fastback.

Courtesy of Gorilla

I draw your attention to the layered effect of the case (above). The base of the case is titanium, upon which the main portion of the case (carbon) is anchored.  And that would have been sufficient.  But the Fastback's design was informed by childhoods spent working on cars and descending alpine passes on sleek road bicycles, so a few wonderfully fun but appropriate design elements were added.  The red layer is, in fact, anodized aluminum and is described as a charter line or "pinstripe".  It doesn't need to be there, but it looks REALLY cool and sets off both the carbon of the main case below it, and the ceramic bezel above it.  And while another brand might have looked for a matching crown, I really applaud the use of a bright titanium crown.  It stands out, but for the right reasons.

Courtesy of Gorilla

While the case design is a departure, Gorilla didn't stop there.  The dial and hands are a visual treat.  The dial is described as "multilayer", and it does display a true sense of depth and texture.  The time is told by integrating an hour disc with the more traditional minute and second hand.  

Courtesy of Gorilla

I think more than anything else, I truly appreciate the lack of pretension shown by the two gentlemen behind Gorilla.  BaselWorld is overpopulated by egos poured into suits droning on as if it was 10 years ago.  Spoiler alert, it's 2017 and things have changed, and the good old days are not showing any signs of a speedy return.  The future of the watch industry is not going to be shaped by the same aging guys hanging onto the glory days of the past while they drink the night away in the 3 Kings, regaling anyone within earshot about who they were and what they did.  No, the future is going to be driven by people like Messrs. Garcia and Gopp.  People who are focused on a truly unique design and identity, willing to put their idea out there, and offer a truly desirable watch at a realistic price.  No celebrity ambassadors, no red carpets, no bullshit.  Just a cool watch.

Here are the pertinents, straight from the source -

FASTBACK SPECIFICATIONS

LAYERED CASE CONSTRUCTION: forged carbon case, anodised aluminium character line or “pinstripe”, ceramic bezel, titanium screw down-crown, titanium caseback.

MULTILAYER DIAL: unique hour disc, skeleton minute hand and contrasting old school automotive inspired typeface design, central dial segment with circular graining pattern, luminescent hands and numerals.

TECHNICAL INFORMATION: 110 Grams with strap and buckle, case diameter bezel 44mm, 48.5mm with crown protection, self-winding Miyota 8215, recto/verso AR sapphire crystal,
100 meters (10ATM) water resistant

COMMERCIAL INFORMATION: first 500 pieces will be numbered (NOT LIMITED, but identified as the very first
production pieces), delivered with an additional integrated rubber strap. Price 880$ (excl. Tax)