Minus-8 has become one of our favorite EDC watch brands as of late, delivering incredible, full Titanium automatic watches for under $500. This time around they’re powering their new release with the sun; the Diver 1T Solar is the latest from Minus-8 and it’s a smart, hard use watch for every day. Crafted from titanium, the watch is rugged without being too heavy, with hints of Sinn burliness. At 42mm, it’s a sizable timepiece, but thanks to the lightweight nature of titanium and the shorter lugs, it wears comfortably on the wrist. Both black and gray finishes offer a modern, matte look that feels sleek, yet bold without drawing too much attention.
One of the biggest draws of the Diver 1T Solar is its solar-powered movement. Powered by the Seiko Epson AS-01, this watch stores up to four months of charge via sunlight or artificial light, eliminating the need for battery replacements or any manual winding. For someone looking for a low-maintenance watch that’s always ready to go, this is a no-brainer feature. Over the last few weeks of wearing it, the solar movement provided some peace of mind to my typically mechanical world. It’s one less thing to think about in a busy life.
The Diver 1T Solar rocks a 20mm titanium bracelet with a stainless steel clasp. The bracelet not only matches the watch’s titanium case, but really adds to the overall wearability. It’s durable yet incredibly light, making the watch comfortable for long-term wear. Titanium is also hypoallergenic, which is a plus for those with sensitive skin. The bracelet’s links sit comfortably against the wrist without pulling arm hair or feeling stiff.
The dial is simple and incredibly clear. The sandwich construction and Super-LumiNova C1 indices, makes the watch easy to read at a glance, day or night. The lume lasts well into the night after a day on the wrist. The subtle red accent on the bezel provides just enough flair without overpowering the more minimalist aesthetic Minus-8 is going for.
Even with its 42mm size, the watch doesn’t feel overbearing on the wrist. On my 7-inch wrist, it sat comfortably, and the titanium case kept it lightweight enough for all-day wear without any fatigue of larger, heavier timepieces. The bezel, with its clicky, unidirectional action, is smooth and tight – exactly what you’d expect from a top tier dive watch.
After almost a month of use, from daily wear to more rugged activities like hiking and mountain biking, the Diver 1T Solar has earned itself a permanent slot in my rotation. The titanium case held up to accidental bumps and scrapes without any noticeable damage, and the sapphire crystal showed no signs of scratches, even after several wall bumps.
At $348.00, the Minus-8 Diver 1T Solar offers unique style, durability, and low-maintenance functionality. For anyone looking for a go-anywhere, do-anything watch that handles daily use (and more) with ease, this watch is a solid investment. It’s the kind of piece you can put on and forget about – until you need it to deliver, and it does so effortlessly.
