This watch is an opinion splitter but a statement piece nether the less. I was contacted my Olto-8 which is a kickstarter Watch company based in Hong Kong. They asked if I would like to do a video review of their watch and in return I would be able to keep it. I had a good look at the product on their website and on the Kickstarter campaign page and to be honest I liked what I saw. It was totally original in its concept, I could see that it had a unique design that had been thought about and designed well. I agreed to do the video.
The watch arrived quickly and I was able to do an initial unboxing and then later filmed my review after owning for a few days.
I was apprehensive as to how my audience would take to this watch and that it was my first ever watch review. That said I had worn the watch for a few days and loved it for being so different. It feels well made, solid lump of 316L stainless steel case that has a blue PVD coating. Sapphire crystal and a display caseback. Packed with a Miyota 82S5 modified movement, now the movement is not all that impressive if I am honest but it still has hand winding and hacking and functions perfectly well and keeps good time but its just very ordinary and to show it off in a skeletonised way I think they could have picked better or decorated it more. They did modify this movement though, they changed the rotor to their own signed one and clearly changed the hour wheel possibly to a GMT wheel so they could display 12 hours over a 180 degree display. This makes it quite unique and I like that as its not trying to be anything but original.
The watch is big at 44.5mm square but it wears smaller than it suggests.
The review went live and to start with I got many negative comments which at first I took to heart and in some ways was quite upsetting. Flippant comments to how cheap the watch looked all the way to how I had somehow been abused by a watch company to promote something like this. After a few days I had calmed down and then other people had left more pleasing comments and a few viewers went on to order one.
I can now say over a month later that I still love this watch! I know its not everyone’s taste but I like it and its turned into a house watch. I come home from work and this is the one I put on for the evening. Its comfy with its nice soft rubber strap and I just really enjoy wearing it. I can now tell the time at a glance too. This was commented on that it would be hard to read but honestly once you know what your looking at its as quick as a conventional watch.
The lume is fantastic and a real feature and I will add a lume shot to this blog ASAP.
Overall despite some of negativity I feel it would be worth the Kickstarter price of $329 US. A lot of thought has gone into the design and the finish and execution are as good as any other watch in this price point if not better.
My only critique would be the overall size. I am not a massive fan of big watches after wearing vintage for so long and had this been 40mm it would be more practical and comfortable to wear. I also wish I could purchase a darker coloured strap. I did ask Olto-8 but they did not come back to me unfortunately. I am guessing because its sold as a package. I have tried two aftermarket rubber straps to see if I can change the look but they just don’t fit as the original. So Olto-8 if you are reading this then please let me get a blue or black strap!
To conclude. I am really happy to have reviewed this watch, I enjoyed the experience and genuinely like the product. I would recommend this brand to others if they like the design or want something completely unique and leftfield. I will look forward to what Olto-8 bring to the market in the future and can only hope that some of these microbrands learn that smaller watches are more appealing to a wider group of watch collectors an wearers.
You can still pick one of these up from this link :https://olto-8.com/collections/watches/products/olto-8-infinity-ii-arabic-numerals-skeleton-blue-case-mechanical-watch
Below are some of my photos and a link to my video review.
