I saw the Gane Type C and was immediately interested. Modern take on a tonneau case? Good. Clean but expressive dial design? Very good. 38mm case? Fantastic. Modern brick bracelet? Excellent! So needless to say, I was jazzed to have the opportunity to be hands-on with this watch.
Gane is a newcomer to the watch scene and the origins of the design and aesthetic lie in the owner’s own interests and background as a watch photographer. The watches are assembled in Switzerland and attention to detail and finishing is a main goal of the brand. The case back design is a tribute to the owner’s mother and incorporates elements that represent her ethic and influence on the brand. You can read more about the origins of Gane here.
The specifications are quite solid for the initial offering from a small brand making its first foray into the watch market:
- Stainless steel case 38mm diameter x 45mm lug to lug
- Sleeve friendly 13mm thick
- Sapphire box crystal
- 50m water resistance
- Stainless steel butterfly bracelet
- C1 Superluminova on the hands
- Miyota 8215 movement
- Price: $555 on the bracelet, $495 on the full-grain leather strap
Gane eschewed the traditional crowdfunding route and went for a direct release, so the watches are available for purchase now.
Gane focused on the look of brushed steel as an inspiration for the aesthetic of the C2 and it shows. The C2 is the blue dial (there are also silver and copper/salmon dial options) and it’s almost the exact color of steel heat-treated to 600 degrees Fahrenheit (my favorite color of blued steel). The center of the dial is brushed horizontally while the hour ring has circular brushing. The brushed texture makes the dial appear anywhere between a true indigo to a deep gray-black, depending on the angle of the light.
Rather than applied or printed hour markers, Gane milled the markers into the hour ring. The contrast created by the different textures and elevation results in a dial that is both elegant and readable. The polished silver hands stand out in low lighting and the lume plots on the hands take over in true darkness. I think milling the hour markers instead of applying them is an innovative way to add three-dimensionality to what could have been a very flat dial.
The brushing on the dial is repeated on the front and sides of the case, with mirror-polished chamfers to lighten up the shape. It’s clear that matching the grain of the finish on the dial and case was something that Gane paid attention to during the prototyping and manufacturing process. The transition between the mirrored and brushed surfaces is well executed and the curve of the case is a good match for the curve of the dial. The solid case back has circular brushing and is engraved with the watch’s specifications and a unique design inspired by the owner’s mother.
The push-pull crown is signed and well proportioned for setting and winding. To pull out the crown, I had to use my nail on the underside of the crown, as it’s a bit slick to pull out with just my fingers. The sapphire box crystal was a good choice as it definitely adds to the neo-Art Deco aesthetic at work in the watch.
The movement powering this attractive package is a tried and tested Miyota 8215. The movement performed well and I could barely detect the free spinning of the uni-directional rotor, due to the solid construction of the case. At this price point, I do wish that Gane had chosen to use the Miyota 9015 instead, as the higher beat rate and improved accuracy would be a welcome bonus to a pretty great watch.
One of the key things that attracted me to this watch was the choice to use a brick-style bracelet. I’ve been in love with this style of bracelet since playing with my dad’s vintage Constellation as a kid and it’s criminally underused in modern watches. Gane’s version does a good job of matching the finish on the case and flows like a dream around my 6.5″ wrist. Every link articulates, making it extremely comfortable. When was the last time a modern bracelet could do a butterfly fold? The hidden butterfly clasp means that there’s no opportunity for microadjustment, but the pinned links are fairly short – so it should be easy to size the bracelet to the perfect fit. In a thoughtful touch, the bracelet uses quick-release spring bars so swapping it out for a strap is a breeze.
Gane also included their leather strap in the kit sent to me and the first thing I noticed when swapping it in was that the lug holes are quite close to the case, so using thinner straps will be to your advantage here when swapping out different straps. The strap from Gane is a 4mm Italian leather strap in a lovely brown color. Unfortunately, my problems with the strap are twofold: it’s very stiff so it was uncomfortable to wear and I don’t think the two-stitch style chosen is a good match to the more luxurious aesthetic of the watch. Perhaps the strap will break in over time, but I ended up swapping in a crocodile grain strap in both black and brown and I think a more traditionally styled strap would be great with this watch.
The Gane C2 is an attractive, well-assembled watch that fits a niche with few competitors. The price, at $555 for the watch on the bracelet, is extremely reasonable for the quality you will receive. The case and bracelet are well finished, the dial is attractive and unique, and the bracelet is one of my favorites I’ve seen on a modern watch. If you’re looking for a dress watch with a healthy dose of Art Deco flair, the Gane Type C is definitely worth exploring.
