We’re drawn to watches with a distinctive design, and it’s particularly appealing when they’re crafted by a brand that often flies under the radar. That’s precisely the case here, so let us introduce you to the Diver 2.0 from MINUS-8.
A modern monochrome dive watch – a lot to unpack here, so let’s dive into the details.
MINUS-8: The Brand
MINUS-8 was founded In 2013 with a mission to advance watch design and offer highly reliable products at accessible prices.
Located in California (California’s time zone is GMT-8, hence the name of the brand), their team brings a wealth of experience in industrial design and product development. Since the inception of the brand, MINUS-8 has been innovating by applying design and development methods from sectors beyond traditional watchmaking. This distinct approach, coupled with their commitment to craftsmanship, precision, and meticulous attention to detail, propels MINUS-8 forward as we create the watches of tomorrow.
MINUS-8 Diver 2.0: Overview
The Diver 2.0 is a modern dive watch, focusing on performance. The case of the watch and the bracelet are made from corrosion-resistant titanium. Using this material really showcases the brand’s focus on functionality. The titanium is also lightweight, therefore it’s a very comfortable wear. Legibility and durability were the main objectives when designing the Diver 2.0.
A robust monochrome modern dive watch with a refreshingly unique design, the Diver 2.0 is definitely a statement piece at a very reasonable price.
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: NH35
- Battery Life: 41 hours
- Case Width: 44 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 meters
- Price: Under $500
Dial
The dial of the Diver 2.0 comes in two different colors: Grey and Black.
Both colors provide a robust tactical look, and their monochrome look is spiced up with a vibrant pop of color on the bezel and the tip of the second hand.
The design of the hour and minute hands are similar to the classic Plongeur-hands (Plongeur means diver in French), but the base of the Plongeur-hands has a slimmer handle-like part that connects it to the center of the dial. That is not the case here, as the width remains the same, therefore we’re looking at a wider pencil design, which is equally appropriate for a dive watch.
The hands themselves seem chunky, and to counterbalance this weight towards the center of the dial, the second hand is a lollipop hand, with a square instead of a round-shape towards the tip. The tip of the second hand has a popping bright red color.
Larger Arabic numerals are displayed for the 3, 6, and 9 o’clock positions with similar color as the dial with a slightly lighter color tone, beautifully playing into the monochrome appearance.
At 12 o’clock position, we have the logo of the MINUS-8 brand, the number 8 styled in a way that also looks like an hourglass sand timer.
The date window is between the 4 and 5 o’clock position, a tasteful solution that doesn’t take away the attention from the watch.
Bezel
The traditional count up bezel is also made of titanium and has the same color, resulting in the cool monochrome overall look. The minute markers are engraved within the bezel, doubling down on the monochrome appearance. A 5-minute interval on the bezel is colored with a bright dynamic red, the same color as the tip of the second hand, connecting the bezel with the dial.
Case
The case is made of corrosion-resistant titanium, and its width is 44 mm. The height of the case is 14 mm—it’s a bigger watch, as to be expected with a performance-focused dive watch. The screw-down crown is located at the 4 o’clock position, which provides additional security – the positioning of the crown provides safety, as there are no crown guards.
The watch is water resistant up to 300 meters / 1,000 feet, and comes equipped with a Helium release valve.
For professional divers and ocean exploration enthusiasts, a Helium release valve is an essential component of their diving watches. This feature enables the escaping of trapped helium gas during decompression, safeguarding the watch’s safety and structural integrity.
Movement
The MINUS-8 Diver 2.0 comes equipped with the reliable NH35 automatic Japanese movement provided by Seiko.
The NH35A is currently one of the world’s most popular automatic movements due to its affordability and accuracy.
The accuracy range is within +/-20-40 seconds per day under normal conditions.
This 24-jewel movement provides 41 hours of power reserve.
Bracelet
Similarly to the case, the bracelet is made from corrosion-resistant titanium. The oyster bracelet design is a classic choice, a sporty look that goes really well with dive watches. The distance between the lugs is 22 mm.
Pros and Cons
Let’s take a look at the summary of pros and cons, in our humble opinion:
Pros
- Robust dive watch with a truly unique design.
- Excellent value and great quality.
- Stylish look from an American micro brand.
Cons
- The 44 mm case width could be too big for smaller wrists.
- While we love the very sporty look, the MINUS-8 Diver 2.0 can’t be dressed up easily, so not an ideal choice for more elegant/formal settings.
Summary: Takeaway and Final Thoughts About MINUS-8 Diver 2.0
An inspired reimagination of a dive watch, bringing the core features into a modern, fresh look. The 44 mm case width and 14 mm height makes this watch a statement piece that can definitely withstand treacherous conditions. MINUS-8 is an exciting American microbrand; they produce great watches at great prices, and if you’re looking for something truly unique, the Diver 2.0 is a great choice.
Specs:
- Movement: Automatic
- Caliber: NH35
- Battery Life: 41 hours
- Case Width: 44 mm
- Water Resistance: 300 meters
- Price: Under $500
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