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Garmin Fēnix® 8 Unisex Watch
Ref. 010-02906-11
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Stepping up in the same colour and case shape
The fēnix 8 is the direct successor to Garmin's fēnix 7 Solar line, and the changes are purposeful rather than cosmetic: an integrated microphone and speaker, leakproof pushers, and dive-rated depth give it capabilities its predecessor could not offer. The solar-charging lens is carried forward and extended — up to 28 days in smartwatch mode under reasonable sun exposure, which changes the relationship between a long trip and a charging cable in a meaningful way. At 47mm and 15.2mm thick it is a substantial presence on the wrist, but the titanium and fibre-reinforced polymer construction brings it in at 80 grams, which is considerably lighter than a steel sports watch of comparable diameter. The carbon grey DLC bezel and metal caseback give it a coherent finish without adding unnecessary weight. The QuickFit system means the silicone strap can be swapped without tools, which matters when a watch is crossing between activities. The built-in LED flashlight is the detail that earns its keep in daily use — not a gimmick once you have actually needed it in the dark.
- Reference
- 010-02906-11
- Brand
- Garmin
- Collection
- fēnix 8
- Case size
- 47mm
- Case thickness
- 15.2mm
- Lug width
- 22mm
- Case material
- Titanium
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Functions
- Chronograph, Date, Stopwatch, Countdown timer, Alarm, Backlight, World time, Solar powered, Bluetooth, Step counter, Heart rate, GPS, Compass, Thermometer, Altimeter
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Silicone strap
- Strap colour
- Black
- Retailer
- Mappin & Webb
Learn more about Garmin
Gary Burrell and Min Kao founded Garmin in 1989 — the name is a contraction of their first names — to build GPS receivers for aviation and marine use. Consumer navigation came later, and wearables later still.
Unlike most names in this directory that arrived from outside watchmaking, Garmin is not a licence. It designs and builds its own devices, writes its own software and runs its own satellite-positioning stack, which is why its watches do things Swiss houses do not attempt.
The fenix line established the template in 2012: a rugged multi-sport GPS watch with mapping, altimeter and week-long battery life. Forerunner covers running, Instinct the hard-wearing end, Venu the smartwatch end, and the MARQ line puts the same electronics in titanium and sapphire at Swiss prices.
Battery life is the differentiator. Where most smartwatches are measured in days, Garmin measures in weeks, and in solar-charging models sometimes in months.
These are instruments rather than heirlooms, and they date the way electronics date — but for anyone who actually trains, they are among the few watches on the market that earn their place.
- 1989
- Founded by Gary Burrell and Min Kao.
- 2003
- The Forerunner brings GPS to running watches.
- 2012
- The fenix line defines the multi-sport GPS watch.
- 2019
- MARQ places the electronics in titanium and sapphire.
- 2020
- Solar charging extends battery life to months.
Also in 5 collections
This watch appears in the Garmin fēnix 8 range (8), Chronograph Watches (1,219), Watches 44mm and Over (827), Solar & Kinetic Watches (208) and Titanium Watches (181).
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What the specifications mean
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- Second time zone for travelling
Worth knowing
- 47mm is a large watch with real presence
- 15.2mm thick, so it will not disappear under a cuff
Garmin Fēnix® 8 alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 010-02906-11 | JY8110-51E | SSC788P9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £779 | £799 | £479 |
| Case size | 47mm | 47mm | 44mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 200m | 100m |
| Movement | Solar | Solar | Solar |
| Strap | Silicone strap | Titanium bracelet | Stainless steel bracelet |
| This watch |
|
|
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It charges from light, and the cell behind that is designed to last a decade or more.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedWhat size strap does it take?
22mm. Any strap of that width will fit, and on most modern watches quick-release bars make the swap a two-minute job with no tools.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as unisex, and at this size it suits any wrist that takes the dimensions.
Cheapest place to buy
Both Mappin & Webb and Goldsmiths list it at £779, so choose on delivery and warranty rather than price.
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