Bees take flight in the G-Timeless collection, which includes tourbillon versions with or without diamonds, including two fully diamond-set bracelet offerings (115,000-195,000 euros or approximately $136,730-$231,850), while the Lions Head range (55,000-59,000 euros or approximately $65,400-$70,150) is a take on a secret-watch concept with the roaring head, set with diamonds in the mouth and eyes, swiveling to reveal time underneath on turquoise, malachite or tiger’s eye stone dials. The latter three make up what the designer refers to as the Gucci Garden: Bees representing love (in reference to their honey-producing nectar), snakes symbolize rebirth (represented by its skin-shedding) and lions, of course, owning the idea of power and ferocity. Several of the pieces incorporate his love affair with witchy iconography including stars, lions or tigers, snakes and bees. It’s available from Gucci boutiques and Gucci watch retailers.The design is everything you would expect from Michele’s eclectic style. The Gucci G-Timeless is priced at US$1545 in steel and US$1690 with a gold-plated finish. That being said, the movement is robust, reliable and appropriate for price point.
The case back is see-through and it reveals the Sellita SW200 inside, somewhat unnecessarily since the movement is plain.
The steel case is definitely the option to go for, since the gold-plated finish costs more but feels like expensive. Available in polished or gold-plated steel, the case is a good visual fit although it’s simplistic. While the dial is impressively done, it’s match with unimaginative sword-shaped hands.Īt 38mm in diameter, the G-Timeless is appropriately sized for the retro style. Most intriguing are the applied hour markers that alternate between a bee, star or arrowhead, with a single heart as the seven o’clock marker.
The highlight of the watch is the dial, which is finished with a radial barleycorn guilloche that’s stamped but still visually appealing. In fact, it is reminiscent of the hallowed Rolex “star dial” watches of 1950s, like the time-only ref. Like Gucci’s other products the watch has a strong retro flavour. Modelled on mid 20 th century wristwatches, the G-Timeless 38mm is novel for being quite distinct from the numerous watches that are part of the retro fever sweeping through watchmaking. The watch line-up includes hits and misses – the fabric dials are unusual but appealing while the longstanding G-shaped bezel looks dated – but most notable, despite the clumsy name, is the G-Timeless 38mm Automatic. With creations alternately flamboyant and nostalgic, Michele made Gucci cool again, a success reflected in the 48% increase in first quarter sales for the year.Īlongside the rejuvenated fashion and leather goods, Gucci watches have a similar visual style, which a vaguely retro feel and a lot of colourful, embroidered dials. Gucci has had a good run of late under the direction of creative director Alessandro Michele who was installed in 2015. Facebook Linkedin Twitter Pinterest Weibo Mail Instagram