News: The Gane Type C
There’s a new kid in town, and its name is Gane Watches. Launched on the 20th of July 2021 by Raymond Pee, Gane’s objective is to produce minimalist, quality watches that are most importantly budget-friendly—and its debut collection, the Type C, seems to tick all those boxes.
The name Gane is based off the word hagane, which means steel in Japanese—and steel is what Gane are ultimately all about. So, to demonstrate that, we will be looking at the aptly named $555 “Steely Silver” Type C3—although there are two other dial variations available, the salmon-coloured C1 and the brushed blue C2.
I’m told that the thinking behind the Steely Silver Type C3 is: “steel all the way, with no compromises”—and they really weren’t kidding. The case, crown, bracelet, dial and hands are all made from 316L surgical grade stainless steel.
Some brands like to say their watches are vintage-inspired, but this Type C takes that to a whole other level, using sundials as an inspiration for its dial layout—how’s 100BC for vintage. The dial is made up of a two-piece construction consisting of a base plate that is horizontally brushed and a radial brushed outer ring that sits on top and houses the CNC milled sundialesque hour markers.
Moving away from the dial, and we come to the back of the watch. You’re not greeted with an open caseback, no; instead, you are presented with something a little more personal: a tribute to Pee’s late mother.
Beneath this touching feature is the engine that powers the Type C, the automatic Miyota Calibre 8215, chosen for its reliability and bang-for-buck reputation. The Calibre 8215 has a 42-hour power reserve, a 21,600 vph beat rate, and won’t cost you a fortune to service thanks to its simple architecture.
For those that were wondering, the case comes in at 38mm wide by 13mm thick and is vertically brushed with a polished chamfer. The case is also complemented by either a five-link bracelet or a tan leather strap.
The Type C really is a collaboration of nations. Brainchild of Malaysian-born Raymond Pee, the Type C project itself was in partnership with a trusted company from Switzerland, a member of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH, using the Citizen Miyota automatic heartbeat from Japan. I look forward to seeing what this collaboration produces next.
Gane Type C
Case | 316L Surgical Grade Stainless Steel
Dimensions | 38mm x 13mm
Dial | Salmon (C1), Brushed Blue (C2), Steel (C3)
Crystal | Boxed Sapphire Crystal
Water Resistance | 5 ATM
Movement | Miyota Calibre 8215
Power Reserve | 42 Hours
Frequency | 21,600 vph
Strap | Five-Link Bracelet, Leather
Functions | Seconds, Minutes, Hours
RRP | $555 (Bracelet), $495 (Leather Strap)
Limited Edition | No
