The Gorilla Fastback Carbon GT Drift Mirage: A Wandering Hours Marvel
If you're a watch enthusiast, chances are you've heard about the Swiss independent watch brand called Gorilla. However, what you might not be familiar with is their remarkable creation, the Gorilla Fastback Carbon GT Drift Mirage, which features a captivating complication known as the wandering hours.
The Enigmatic World of Gorilla Watches
Gorilla, an independent Swiss watch brand, may not be as ubiquitous as some of the luxury giants, but it has been quietly making waves in the horological realm. One of their standout timepieces, the Fastback Carbon GT Drift Mirage, showcases the wandering hours complication, a feature that's both fascinating and rare in the watchmaking industry.
The Wandering Hours: A Uniquely Unorthodox Aesthetic
The wandering hours complication, while undeniably unorthodox in its aesthetics, is a horological marvel. Typically featured in avant-garde brands like Hermès and Harry Winston, it's a rarity in the watchmaking world. However, Audemars Piguet raised eyebrows in 2019 with the Code 11.59 Star Wheel, reintroducing this complication in a modern design with a jaw-dropping $58,000 price tag. For those who desire a wandering hours watch with a strong connection to a prestigious brand like AP, Gorilla offers a compelling alternative.
The Visionaries Behind Gorilla
Behind this remarkable timepiece are visionaries Octavio Garcia and Lucas GOP. Octavio, who served as Audemars Piguet's Creative Design Director for over 13 years, brings a wealth of experience to Gorilla. Lucas, a senior designer at AP with a notable background in designing watches for renowned brands like IWC, adds his expertise to the mix.
The Secret to Affordability: The ETA Movement
Gorilla manages to keep the Carbon GT Drift Mirage's price relatively low by using a Swiss ETA movement as a base caliber, integrating a module engineered exclusively for Gorilla. The ETA 2824 movement, while not new in the luxury watch space, is a trusted workhorse. It has variations used in entry-level Swiss brands like Hamilton and premium versions reserved for high-end brands.
Specifications That Impress
Let's dive into the specifications of the Fastback Carbon GT Drift Mirage:
- 44mm case with a thickness of 13.9mm
- Lug-to-lug measurement of 57mm, giving it significant presence
- Forged carbon case material with a blue-finished ceramic bezel
- Titanium screw-down crown
- Sapphire crystal on both the front and exhibition case back
- Bi-color integrated rubber strap, comfortable and breathable
- Water resistance up to 100 meters
- Automatic ETA 2824 caliber with a power reserve of 42 hours, accuracy of +/- 20 seconds per day, and hacking and hand-winding capabilities
Deciphering the Wandering Hours
The wandering hours complication, although unconventional, is surprisingly easy to read. Three rotating disks individually represent the hours. Since they're in constant motion, they display the wandering hours. The minutes are displayed on a fixed aperture on the top half of the dial. To tell the time, you simply focus on the rotating disk aligning with the corresponding hour numeral on the minute track – it's a clever and perpetual dance of numbers.
The Quest for Durability
Gorilla doesn't cut corners when it comes to materials. Even the rubber used for the strap is high-grade red-on rubber, known for its durability and chemical resistance, commonly used in aerospace and automotive applications. Given that the strap is essentially integrated into the watch, it needs to be extremely comfortable and robust – and Gorilla delivers on both fronts.
A Watch for True Enthusiasts
The Gorilla Fastback Carbon GT Drift Mirage, with its price point, might draw comparisons to brands like Tudor or Omega. However, this is a watch for true enthusiasts who understand that they're not just buying a brand name; they're acquiring a piece of horological artistry. At around $4,000, it offers exceptional value for a watch with such craftsmanship and complexity.
Where to Find Gorilla Watches
If you're intrigued by the Gorilla Fastback Carbon GT Drift Mirage or any other Gorilla watches, you'll be pleased to know that Red Army Watches Malaysia is an authorized dealer. Whether you're a seasoned watch collector or a budding enthusiast, exploring Gorilla's offerings is a journey worth taking. You may check out our video link here.
