Hands-On with the Fashionably Nostalgic Gucci G-Timeless Automatic

A surprising wristwatch from Gucci with an intriguing retro flavoured dial.

Gucci has had a good run of late under the direction of creative director Alessandro Michele who was installed in 2015. 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.

Alongside 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. 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.

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 11

Modelled on mid 20th 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. Like Gucci’s other products the watch has a strong retro flavour. In fact, it is reminiscent of the hallowed Rolex “star dial” watches of 1950s, like the time-only ref. 6098 and the triple calendar ref. 6062.

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 1

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 12

The highlight of the watch is the dial, which is finished with a radial barleycorn guilloche that’s stamped but still visually appealing. 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.

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 4

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 2

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 3

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 9

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 5

While the dial is impressively done, it’s match with unimaginative sword-shaped hands.

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 13

At 38mm in diameter, the G-Timeless is appropriately sized for the retro style. Available in polished or gold-plated steel, the case is a good visual fit although it’s simplistic. The steel case is definitely the option to go for, since the gold-plated finish costs more but feels like expensive.

The case back is see-through and it reveals the Sellita SW200 inside, somewhat unnecessarily since the movement is plain. That being said, the movement is robust, reliable and appropriate for price point.

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 6

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 8

Gucci G-Timeless Automatic 38mm 7

Price and availability

The Gucci G-Timeless is priced at US$1545 in steel and US$1690 with a gold-plated finish. It’s available from Gucci boutiques and Gucci watch retailers.


 

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