MICRO MONDAYS: The Olto-8 Infinity II is a high-octane extravaganza of a watch
Fergus NashFor those who buy watches to wear in different situations, what context best suits the Olto-8 Infinity II? It could be in the seat of a race car, or even on the wrist of Tony Stark. Truthfully, the Olto-8 Infinity II wants to be worn anywhere, bringing it’s own high-octane energy into the dullest of situations. If you’ve been looking to inject some wild excitement into your watch collection without spending luxury money, this could be your next purchase.
The case
Crafted from 316L stainless steel, the case of the Olto-8 Infinity II is styled as a rounded square with a flat brushed bezel and harsh polished chamfers. That style, usually reserved purely for bezels, was inspired by the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, but has really found a home of its own within microbrand sports watches. The crown with its extended tube is located on the bottom right corner, giving a stopwatch-like impression to the overall silhouette. There are four colours of case available, with either a gunmetal blue or black DLC coating, or a crisp white or green in a matte Cerakote ceramic coating.
The dimensions make for a symmetrical 44mm block, which retains a statuesque stance on the wrist while not overextending any boundaries. The 22mm lugs are located on the underside of the case, integrating any strap and letting it conform nicely to your wrist contours. The 12.8mm thickness and the general shape of the case does give it a lot of bulk physically and visually, but you wouldn’t want anything less on a watch like this. The water resistance is 50m, typically less than recommended for swimming, but you shouldn’t need to be too anxious about water damage.
The dial
There’s a lot to unpack with the dial of the Olto-8 Infinity II, but breaking it down into its individual elements does make it more of a digestible offering. The base of the dial, complete with a skeletonised inner sector, has a 180 degree hours display designed to mimic a speedometer. The hour hand is double-ended so that it can start again as soon as it hits 12 without the need for a retrograde complication. At the base, there’s a 0-20 second counter for the triple-pronged seconds hand, and the minutes are printed on a small chapter ring which enlarges towards the dial’s base. The minute hand is the most prominent on the dial, with a three-pronged centre and just one elongated section that points to the minute track.
The Olto-8 Infinity II also features a bridge with Geneva striping that features the brand’s logo as well as a frame for the open heart display. In terms of customisation, you have quite a few options. Not including the range of colourful rubber straps, there are eight potential references made up of four colour schemes and two dial choices. The main choice would be the colour, and each of the case colours corresponds to a different colour used on the movement’s base and hand outlines. The black version has hot red highlights, and the gunmetal blue case features a pale dandelion yellow centre. The green watch has a sunburst grey dial with a green interior and yellow hands, while the white watch has a fully-luminous dial and electric blue touches. Secondly, you can choose between standard Arabic numerals or Roman numerals for an oddly attractive formal flair.
The movement
Despite the apparent complexity of the Olto-8 Infinity II, the watch is powered by a humble Miyota calibre 82S5. A popular choice for open-heart watches, this automatic movement features a beat rate of 21,600 vibrations per hour and a 42-hour power reserve. It’s visible through the sapphire caseback, and Olto-8 have customised the rotor with a slick industrial look. Creating a watch as wild as this one with such a standard movement is a great indicator of Olto-8’s ingenuity and design promise.
The Olto-8 Infinity II pricing and availability:
The Olto-8 Infinity II is available now from their website here. Price: $599 USD (Black or Blue), $659 USD (White or Green)
| Brand | Olto-8 |
| Model | Infinity II |
| Case Dimensions | 44mm x 12.8mm x 44mm |
| Case Material | Stainless steel with DLC or Cerakote |
| Water Resistance | 50 Metres |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire front and back |
| Dial | Skeletonised |
| Lug Width | 22mm |
| Strap | Quick-release fluoro rubber |
| Movement | Miyota 82S5 |
| Power Reserve | 42 hours |
| Availability | Available now |
| Price | $599 USD (Black or Blue), $659 USD (White or Green) |