Gorilla Watches was founded by Octavio Garcia and Lukas Gopp. Both left their careers as designers for major watch brands such as Omega, IWC, and Audemars Piguet. With a desire to appease us watch geeks, they set out to create a watch that would have all the elements a watch lover would want. Taking inspiration from their passion for performance cars, and unique design, they used a mix of elements to create something special. What they came up with was the Gorilla Fastback.
The Dial
The Gorilla Fastback dial is very unique. This is a three hand dial, or more specifically, a two hand watch with an hour disk. The minute hand is skeletonized and painted in acid green. The hour disk is a three spoke design with one of the spokes painted white for use as the hour indicator. It’s a very cool look and unusual design. Another thing that make this unusual is, instead of using hour numbers for markers, Gorilla uses minutes. This 0-to-60 dial takes a little to get used to, but the look is pretty cool. Covering all of this is an anti-reflective coated sapphire crystal. Powering this watch is a Miyota 8215 automatic movement. This is a good movement, but I do have an issue with it. The 8215 movement is non-hacking. The problem with non hacking movements is that when you pull the crown out to set the time, the second hand never stops. If you’re like me, and like to see how accurate the watch is each day, you will have no idea how many seconds are gained or lost.
The Layer Case!
What I love most about this Gorilla Fastback is the case. Measuring in at 44mm in diameter this case it just my size. The case is made from titanium, forged carbon, anodized aluminum, and ceramic. Using these many materials can create a mess of a case if done wrong. That’s not an issue at all for Gorilla. The mix of elements are not scattered around the case, they are layered in a very clean way. The case back and screw down crown are made from titanium. That case back is then mounted to the bottom of a layered forged carbon case. On top of the forged carbon case is a thin layer of acid green anodized aluminum. Finishing off the top of the case is a polished ceramic bezel. All of these elements are tightly sandwiched together to provide a water resistance of 330Ft.
The Straps
The Gorilla Fastback comes with two nice straps. I love extra straps with a watch. It’s like getting two watches for the price of one. The acid green strap, of course, is going along with the acid green theme of this watch, looks cool with that acid green pin stripe layer on the case. If that acid green is a bit much and you want to tone it down a bit, there is also a black rubber strap. Each strap has a titanium pin-and-buckle clasp. Both straps are very comfortable and conform perfectly to the wrist. The case/strap combination has a perfect sporty feel to it.
Loving that lume!
I am totally into the lume on this watch. There is so much detail that pops out at you in the dark. Looking at this dial in the dark appears more like a car’s speedometer at night than a watch. It couldn’t fit in any better with the automotive theme.
Overall Impression
As far as the overall build of the watch goes, I am loving this watch. The mix of elements just work so well together. Although it took a little to get used to, the dial is very cool, especially with that lume. With all that being said, the only issue I have is that the movement is non-hacking. That may not be an issue to many folks out there, but it mattered to me. All in all, this watch is fun, sporty, unique, and very well made. For a retail price of $880 USD you get a very nice watch with high-end elements at a reasonable price. If you like what you see, go check them out at gorillawatches.ch.
Review Summary
- Brand and model: Gorilla
- Price: $880 USD
- Who’s it for? Sports car fans or anyone just wanting a cool watch.
- Would I wear it? Anytime
- What I’d change: Use a hacking movement.
- The best thing about it: That layered case.
Tech Specs from Gorilla
- Movement – Miyota 8215, Self-winding
- Functions – Hour, minute, seconds hands
- Case dimensions – 44 mm case diameter, 48.5 mm with crown guard
- Case material – Forged carbon, anodised aluminium, 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 – Rubber strap, titanium pin buckle
- Weight – 110 grams with strap and buckle
