Vaucher developed and produces the wandering-hours module, which isn’t the movement itself, but a system literally placed on top of a base movement — an un-decorated Swiss ETA 2828-2 automatic, which can be viewed through the sapphire crystal placed on the rear of the watch. The Vaucher module is known as the G-5238 and will, presumably, be exclusive to Gorilla watches. The 2824-2 automatic movement operates at 4Hz with 38 hours of power reserve. I think the added wandering-hours module only reduces the native power reserve by a bit, which makes sense given the extra power needed to move the clearly “heavy” wandering-hour” parts, which weigh more than traditional hands.
The Fastback GT case is something I personally like, but it isn’t for everyone. 44mm wide (48.5mm wide the crown) and about 19mm thick (with a roughly 58mm lug-to-lug distance), the Fastback GT is quite comfortable, but also sizeable. The integration of the strap with the case lets it wear quite well, especially when you attach it snugly to your wrist. The Fastback GT case is visually interesting and, according to Gorilla, inspired by classic American muscle cars (as the entire Gorilla brand is said to be). The case here is black with red-colored accents for this initial limited edition version of the Fastback GT Drift watch. The case material is mainly forged carbon with a red anodized aluminum section and a black polished ceramic bezel. Over the crystal is a sapphire crystal and the crown and screws and caseback are in titanium. It still feels like a heavy watch (it also has 100 meters of water resistance), but without the weight-saving materials, this chunky timepiece would weigh even more.
The bi-color Viton rubber strap has a perforated look and wears comfortably. Overall, the Gorilla Fastback GT feels like a modern sports watch in personality, but wears like a lifestyle collector’s item. With the addition of the wandering-hours “star wheel-” style display, the Fastback GT collection ascends to a new level of novelty and value for serious timepiece enthusiasts and collectors. Finally, Gorilla has a product unlike pretty much anything else in the market — especially from a price perspective, and Gorilla went about developing it with the proper partners in watchmaking country. Assuming that the design appeals to you, the Gorilla Fastback GT Drift limited edition is a compelling value proposition and should receive due attention once enough people learn about it. Limited to 250 pieces (for this version), Gorilla Fastback GT Drift will be slowing shipping in 2019 and has a retail price of $2,850 USD. Learn more or order at Gorilla watches here.
Necessary Data
>Brand: Gorilla
>Model: Fastback GT Drift
>Price: $2,850 USD
>Size: 44mm wide (48.5mm with crown), about 19mm thick and about 58mm lug-to-lug distance.
>When reviewer would personally wear it: When I can pull off the colors, this is actually a comfortable daily wear when I want to see the time differently and impress a few watch lovers.
>Friend we’d recommend it to first: Anyone who has been enamored by the idea of a wandering hours-style watch but until now hasn’t been able to afford one.
>Best characteristic of watch: Excellent value and execution of a wandering-hours dial that also nicely melds with the overall Gorilla brand theme.
>Worst characteristic of watch: Gorilla didn’t update the case or otherwise offer any differentiating features aside from the new dial, but this isn’t really a big deal. Base ETA movement might have looked a bit nicer with some decoration.
