The team first began concepting a GMT watch back in 2017, pretty soon after the original MINUS-8 Dive watch launched and was gaining traction. We were intrigued by the GMT category, mainly because we couldn’t find any affordable GMTs that we wanted to wear ourselves. And so began our GMT journey. . . The project was shelved multiple times over the years, as we searched for the right movement and battled competing priorities, but a few years ago we brought the GMT project back to the table and this time, it stuck.

This latest round of GMT concepting started with a simple focus: Create a super-wearable watch that is versatile enough to be the only watch you need, no matter where you are headed. With that in mind, the team set out on a quest to create the ultimate go-anywhere, ready-for-anything wrist companion.

As we do with all of our watches, we started the GMT project with a focus on selecting high-quality, built-to-last materials, an ultra-reliable movement and a forward-looking design that would fit seamlessly into any room in the world. 

We put a major emphasis on build quality at MINUS-8 and we’ve been leaning hard into crafting our watches with titanium for many years now. The more we build with it, the more we absolutely love this material. For our first GMT project, we never considered any other metals for the case and bracelet. Titanium is perfect for handling absolutely any environment. It is super strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant and our PVD coating makes it even tougher.

The Diver GMT dial is enclosed by a custom-cut, multi-layer AR coated sapphire crystal that is almost impossible to scratch. We also built a sapphire crystal exhibition caseback for this watch, to highlight the awesome GMT movement. The team researched multiple movements during the sourcing process. We looked at some quartz, some flyers, but landed on the Seiko NH34 (caller/office) GMT, as we love Seiko and the reliable experience that comes with their movements. It was a natural match for the seamless travel experience we want customers to have with our most versatile watch. 

On top of all this, we also gave the Diver GMT a lume upgrade. For the first time on any MINUS-8 watch, the hands, dial markings and bezel markings use X1 grade Super-LumiNova™. X1 Grade C1, Orange and Dark Yellow lume enables this watch to shine brighter and longer, for enhanced legibility.

The ultimate all-day, everyday watch needs to be water ready, so building a dive-focused GMT was a no-brainer. When travelling, we always want to be prepared to jump in the water at a moment's notice. Whether it is a quick swim in the hotel pool or a dive at depth in the ocean, we want a water-resistant watch that we never have to second guess. Key dive elements like 20 ATM, a screw down crown and corrosion-resistant titanium deliver a simple, worry-free water experience no matter what environments you find yourself in. 

The GMT space is flooded with design copycats and lazy, iterative styles and most “new” watches use the same old GMT hands, bezel markings / colors, and even dial layouts. If you know MINUS-8, you know we are not looking to iterate on old designs, but to push watch design forward. With that in mind, we took a distinct approach and created a unique, modern case and dial for GMT that will fit in seamlessly, yet start some great conversations wherever you go.

We absolutely loaded this watch with specs and features and I am excited to say that this is by far my favorite timepiece we’ve designed to date. So much so that I see this not just being a small batch run for us, but something that stays in the lineup for a long time.

Thanks so much for your support. I sincerely hope you love this watch as much as I do.

As always, hit us up with any questions or comments. We read everything you send us and absolutely love hearing from you.

-Mike

Learn more about our latest watch, Diver GMT