This review will be a little different, as it focuses on a watch, well actually two watches that my wife truly loves and wears regularly. So this time, I’ll actually be covering not one, but two models of hers. How exciting that is, right?
Let’s start at the beginning. When I received the Kaguya model(rewiew is on my blog as well) from Wancher the team also surprised me with an unexpected extra gift, a black Gurkha with its distinctive tilted dial design. It was a genuinely thoughtful gesture from them, although at first, I have to admit, I did not really wear it much myself.
That quickly changed when my wife noticed it. The moment she tried it on, she completely fell in love with the watch, and ever since then, it has basically become hers. These days she wears it surprisingly often, and seeing how naturally it fits her made me appreciate the concept behind the Gurkha even more.
Tilted dial watches are not just a quirky design experiment. The angled dial is actually meant to make checking the time quicker and more ergonomic, especially during activities where twisting your wrist feels awkward. It is one of those details that sounds unusual at first, but once you wear it, the practicality becomes obvious.
The Gurkha itself is also incredibly lightweight at only 21 grams, which makes it almost disappear on the wrist during daily wear. With dimensions of 34mm x 10mm x 37mm, it is a compact watch, but in my wife’s case, that turned out to be perfect because she has a very small wrist(14cm). The fit looks natural and comfortable rather than oversized.
One detail I particularly appreciated was the redesigned case back featuring a traditional Japanese “Wagara” pattern. It adds a subtle artistic touch and gives the watch more personality than you would normally expect from a lightweight everyday quartz piece.
This model originally came on a plastic strap, but the buckle unfortunately broke quite quickly(Guys at Wancher wanted to replace it, but I said it was not necessary). It was probably just bad luck, but I ended up replacing it with a leather strap for my wife and she genuinely prefers it that way.
As months passed and I kept seeing her enjoy the Gurkha so much, I started paying closer attention to new releases from Wancher Then I saw the Kanazawa 18K Gold edition, and immediately I knew this would be the perfect watch for her. Eventually, I decided to gift it to her for our 15th anniversary.
What makes it even more special is how well it complements my own 24K Kinpaku Nuri, so the two watches have almost become a sort of couple watch set for us.
Let’s see the 18K Kanazawa Gold Gurkha!
The Kanazawa takes the playful Gurkha concept into a far more artistic and luxurious direction. The undeniable centerpiece of the watch is the dial, handcrafted using genuine 18K Kanazawa gold foil. Every dial is individually finished, giving each piece its own slightly unique texture and character. I reached out to the team at Wancher for some behind-the-scenes photos, which you’ll see featured throughout this review.
The gold foil itself is composed primarily of 94.5% gold, complemented by small amounts of silver and copper, creating a rich warm tone that feels elegant without becoming overly flashy. To ensure proper adhesion and durability, the surface is coated with a water-based 2% lacquer, helping preserve both the brilliance and delicate texture of the gold finish over time.
What makes this project even more fascinating is the philosophy behind it. Instead of focusing exclusively on established Urushi masters and traditional artisans, the production process also involves stay-home mothers working on the handcrafted dials. It is an approach designed not only to preserve Japanese craftsmanship, but also to support local communities and create additional opportunities within the local economy.
That human element adds a surprising amount of emotional value to the watch. The Kanazawa does not feel like a mass-produced luxury object. Instead, it feels personal, artistic, and deeply connected to the people who helped create it. Combined with the unconventional tilted dial design of the Gurkha platform, the result is a watch that balances playful creativity with traditional Japanese artistry in a very unique way.
The dial itself has a remarkable texture and warmth to it. Depending on the light, the gold surface constantly shifts between elegant shimmer and rich metallic depth. Despite being a fun and unconventional watch, there is still a strong sense of traditional Japanese craftsmanship behind it.
The watch is powered by the Miyota 2035 quartz movement, one of Miyota’s long-standing signature calibres and a true industry standard since its introduction in 1981. It’s a no-nonsense, reliable workhorse movement that has quietly supported countless watch designs over the decades.
Despite its simplicity, it is impressively thin at just 3.15mm, which helps keep the overall case profile clean and wearable. The movement offers an accuracy of ±20 seconds per month, which is more than sufficient for everyday use, paired with a solid three-year battery life that keeps maintenance low and convenience high.
Functionally, it is a straightforward three-hand movement, focusing on reliability and practicality rather than complication. It may not be flashy, but that is exactly its strength, a proven, dependable engine that lets the design and craftsmanship of the watch take centre stage.
The lightweight aluminium case remains extremely comfortable on the wrist, while the 45-degree tilted dial keeps the Gurkha identity intact.
In the Kanazawa version, however, the gold dial has no numerals or traditional markers, which creates an interesting effect, it allows the watch to be read like a standard dial despite its angled construction. At first glance, you don’t immediately register that it is tilted, because there are no visual cues fighting against the clean gold surface. The real clue is the crown position at 6 o’clock instead of the usual 3, which subtly reveals the watch’s unconventional architecture.
The watch comes on a beautiful leather strap with a gold-coloured buckle. It feels very comfortable on the wrist and looks just as good as it wears. The buckle is a particularly nice touch, matching the tone of the dial and tying the whole design together visually.
Final thoughts
At its core, the Gurkha is a very well thought-out and accessible watch, with a clear focus on design and wearability rather than overcomplication. The tilted dial is the real highlight, it is beautifully executed and full of character, while the case back adds an unexpected artistic touch that gives the whole piece more depth than you would normally expect at this level.
On the wrist, it disappears in the best possible way. The lightweight aluminium case and compact dimensions make it exceptionally comfortable, to the point where you can wear it all day and almost forget it’s there. It never feels bulky or intrusive, which is exactly what you want from an everyday watch.
Ironically, while the basic Gurkha itself disappears on the wrist, the Kanazawa Gold version does the exact opposite. The moment light hits the 18K gold foil surface, it comes alive. The warm golden tones catch the eye immediately, creating a striking contrast with the understated case design. Depending on the angle, the dial can shift from subtle elegance to an almost radiant glow, making it the undeniable star of the watch.
More importantly, though, both have become a watches my wife genuinely enjoys wearing and reaches for on a regular basis. And for me, that says far more than any specification sheet ever could. A watch can have impressive materials, an interesting design, or a long list of features, but if it consistently finds its way onto the wrist, then it has already succeeded. The Kanazawa Gold Gurkha and the regular one have done exactly that.
At the end, as the saying goes – happy wife, happy life.
Specification:
- Dimensions: 34mm x 10mm x 37mm, lug to lug 40mm
- Case Material: Black PVD-coated aluminium
- Dial: 45 Degree tilted black dial/18K Kanazawa Gold foil
- Movement: Miyota 2035 Quartz with 3 years battery life
- Lug Width: 16mm
- Water resistance: 5atm, 50 meters
- Features: 45-degree tilted dial, Japanese Wagara pattern case back, ultra-lightweight construction
- Price: 66 USD for the black one while 250 USD for the Kanazawa gold version
Link to the watch:
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