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A few years ago, an industrial designer from Astro Studios named Dana Krieger embarked on a journey to redesign and rethink watches. For him and Astro Studios, who are behind the Xbox 360 and the Nike Fuelband, watches had a long and rich history that they wanted to disrupt with bolder looks and new techniques. Together they created Minus-8, a name referencing the West Coast’s time zone, where the watches are designed.
The inception of Minus-8 came as an instinctual observation that despite the myriad of choices in the watch world, there was something else that could be said through a timepiece.
“Watches attract designers like moths to the flame, so we couldn’t resist taking our own approach to this age-old design problem,” says Krieger.
The limitless solutions to communicate time are balanced against the very real constraints of sapphire crystal, stainless steel thicknesses, and wrist ergonomics. Timepieces as a design problem represent a beautiful balance of options and constraints, a tension designers are instinctively drawn to.
Although Dana Krieger has since moved to another agency, the Minus-8 spirit is alive and well. The new Minus-8 team at Astro Studios has introduced new models and colorways keeping a clear vision behind the brand and creating timepieces with futuristic influences and an industrial aesthetic. David Whetstone is the art director on the project.
The DNA of Minus-8 comes through its signature “layered” look which is featured in the Minus-8 Layer 24 and Minus-8 Layer models. Six layers of 316L stainless steel are individually sealed together to create a stadium effect adding depth to the watch face. The layered rings create a 3D landscape on the interior of the case, a unique architecture demonstrating levels of timekeeping information. This process took over a year to develop and resulted in a striking watch case that communicates precision and a modern aesthetic. The watches are bold statement pieces; they are not meant to be for a man with a small wrist looking for a dainty timepiece.
The bonded layers allow Minus-8 to add color and personality to the watches. Particularly for men, watches are a way of expressing a personal style and point of view. The latest pop of color is in the Minus-8 Layer Leather Silver | Blue which features a layer of blue and copper along with a brown vegetable tanned leather band.
The Minus-8 Layer watches feature a Japanese movement, 45mm diameter, 316 L stainless steel case, 3-hand time-telling and date window, a PVD-coated stainless steel finish, a vegetable tanned leather band, 40+ hours of power reserve, and are priced at $498.
Key Specs:
o Automatic Seiko NH35A
o 45mm Diameter / 14.3 Thickness
o 10 ATM Water Resistance
o Power Reserve of 40+ Hours
o 3-hand Date Window
o Sapphire Crystal
o 316L Stainless Steel construction
o 40+ Hours Power Reserve
Late last year, Minus-8 also introduced the Square Chrono ($398), a model that is the embodiment of a classic aviation timepiece. The Minus-8 Square Chrono was created out of a passion to build Minus-8 version of this classical style. Square pilot watches have a long history in the aviation world, arriving in 1904, only one year later after the Wright Brothers’ first flight. Their robust construction and clear, easy-to-read dials have endured since.
The 316L stainless steel case features 3-hand time-telling and a date window. The sub-dials feature a chronograph operated by two rectangular pushers flanking the custom crown. The watch is fitted with a vegetable tanned leather strap with raw suede back for comfort. minus8watch.com
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