Since its inception a few years ago under the guidance of former Audemars Piguet Chief Artistic Officer Octavio Garcia, the Swiss independent brand Gorilla has crafted an aggressive visual style dedicated to reimagining the classic aesthetics of American muscle cars from the 60s and 70s. Despite its automotive tilt, the brand has focused its releases on three-handers and a unique wandering hours complication, never developing a chronograph - until now. Gorilla's first-ever chronograph is a wild representation of the brand, combining a muscular design language inspired by Pro Touring with a remarkably complex skeletonized chronograph module from Dubois-Depraz. The limited edition Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt is an unapologetically bold, dramatic response to the brand's core themes, adding both a well-executed complication and a tangible sense of fun to the brand's lineup.
Measuring 44mm in diameter (48.5mm including the crown) and 57mm lug-to-lug, it's impossible to deny that the Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt's black DLC titanium case has substantial proportions. The angular, squared-off case design likely wears larger than the numbers suggest, although the overall thickness is a reasonable 13.8mm. However, setting aside the scale, the Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt case offers an impressive array of visual details in images.
In addition to the matte facets of the main black DLC titanium case, the Fastback Thunderbolt adds variety and breaks up its visual profile with several layers. The signature “pinstripe” case ring is made from orange anodized aluminum, giving the case a bright and striking accent while separating the two layers of matte black. Gorilla’s two-part bezel is crafted from matte black ceramic, complementing the smoothly transitioning edges of the outer bezel with a low-profile inner tachymeter bezel. The use of a full tachymetric scale with white lume and bright orange Gulf highlights noticeably brightens the dark design, while also helping to create a racing-inspired brand atmosphere.
Of course, with the addition of a chronograph complication comes pushers, and Gorilla presents these new elements with an imposing, angular, multi-part look. A set of truncated wedges made from matte Grade 5 titanium form the combined guards for the buttons and crown, immediately drawing visual attention to the new element while seamlessly blending into Gorilla's monolithic design language. Matte black ceramic pushers are housed within these cases, their rectangular shape with engraving and facets reminiscent of classic gas pedals. The crown at 3 o'clock has also undergone significant redesign, consisting of multiple parts in titanium and ceramic, giving the case a varied finish and shape. Despite the multi-layered construction and sapphire caseback, the Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt offers 100 meters of water resistance.
If the Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt case is smooth, square, and monolithic, the skeletonized dial takes a much more intricate and detailed approach. Under the sapphire crystal, a web-like tangle of matte black bridges dominates, forming the Dubois-Depraz DD268 chronograph module.
However, the shapes of these bridges are not a random assortment; they emphasize and frame the key elements of the gear train, while special three-armed bridge segments serve as bases for the two skeletonized sub-dials at the “3 o’clock” and “9 o’clock” positions. Perhaps the smartest element of these skeletonized components is located between the “10 o’clock” and “2 o’clock” marks. Instead of cluttering the already intricate dial design with the “Thunderbolt” inscription, the brand uses a more expressive and figurative approach. The italicized Gorilla emblem is placed on a matte black segment with a stylized zigzag lightning bolt shape, adding an extra playful personality to the design.
Despite the dial design being pared down to showcase the movement as much as possible, it remains in Gorilla's signature style. The chapter ring is executed in the brand's traditional Gulf Racing colorway – powder blue and orange, with a checkered flag-style seconds scale. The skeletonized minute hand is also a signature of Gorilla, complemented by a bright orange central chronograph seconds hand with a stylized arrow tip.
Gorilla's signature Arabic minute numerals have undergone significant redesign: the light and elongated look of American instrument panels from the 60s has been abandoned in favor of a more modern, angular design, closer in spirit to sports jersey numbers in early images. The skeletonized sub-dials also add a lot of personality and bright colors, especially with orange partial scales and a broad chronograph minute hand with a counterweight at the “9 o’clock” position. With so many visual details and layered elements, Gorilla wisely decides to forgo a date window in the Fastback Thunderbolt model.
Gorilla equips the Fastback Thunderbolt with an automatic ETA 2892-A2 movement in elaboré grade, supplemented by the Dubois-Depraz DD268 chronograph module. While this modular approach is not as beloved by purists as an integrated chronograph movement, it has its advantages, particularly the ease of access to parts and servicing of the base movement.
However, the absence of an integrated movement in this price category might prove contentious for enthusiasts. The 2892-A2 model is a common sight in the watch industry, but Gorilla adds new decorative elements, including a dense pearled finish on the base plate. The specs, however, carry over from the standard 2892-A2 model with a relatively modest 42-hour power reserve at 28,800 beats per hour. The Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt comes with an integrated FKM rubber strap in Gulf powder color with a textured Alcantara insert.
Bold, colorful, and clearly not for the faint-hearted, the new limited edition Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt is an aggressive introduction to chronograph production for the young brand. Only 99 pieces of the Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt will be produced. The Gorilla Fastback Thunderbolt is already available for pre-order through official dealers, with shipments expected in November 2021. The watch is priced at $8,500 USD. More information can be found on the brand's website.