The Microbrand King? Monta Oceanking Review
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- čas přidán 12. 09. 2024
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Big Thank You to Monta for the loan of the Oceanking. With 20:20 hindsight, I would have asked for a gilt Skyquest (which was offered, duh!) which I think is better looking and better value than this one. Can't complain about the quality overall though, lots of nice touches and a well thought out design would make this a killer everyday watch. Just so long as you are OK spending big bucks on a new and small company. Cheers, Jody
It's nice, there is no arguing that. Gotta be honest though, I personally find it a bit.... boring, especially at nearly $2000 (probably closer to $2250 after shipping and taxes for me here in Sweden). I dunno, maybe I'm a bit superficial, but when I pay that much for a watch, I either want something that has cache in the brand, or something that really stands out in design/function. This does neither for me. So, again, it's nice, but I won't be getting one.
Ye for the price, if i would find it for around 1700 greymarket without taxes it would be more tempting (fellow Swede here!)
I agree, for lower price, I would rather go with new titanium chronometer C Ward.
I agree this model looks boring. I think the Monta Atlas is the best looking Monta and is much more interesting to me.
Exactly what I wanted to say. Agree with you.
I agree wholeheartedly. I like the look of the watch but for pretty much the same money you can get a second hand Omega Seamaster 300M or maybe even a Tudor BB.
At around £2k delivered here in the UK, this is far too expensive for me;I'd much rather spend that sort of money on a second hand Omega Seamaster !
David Webster my thoughts exactly 👍
I own a Monta and I’ve owned an ORIS. I prefer the Monta for the glidelock, comfort, bezel action, and accuracy.
Was able to pick up a pre-owned Monta Atlas with the silver/white dial some time ago. Really a stunner, it can be dresed up, dressed down, swiss made, gmt, it does everything! For ~1300-1500 eur/usd it's the best quality you can get I think. Even the remaining warranty was transfered by from the previous owner to me by Monta! So less brand heritage, but definitely more customer service and a more personal connection to a small enthusiast-based brand!
I own a Monta Triumph and absolutely love it. The bracelet, the case, the finishing is far above the rest of my collection. I also absolutely love the Atlas, and Oceanking and was considering buying their Oceanking, HOWEVER I've realized that the look of their dials although slightly different, are fat too similar from eachother to own two of them in my collection. For the price upwards of $2k, I think I will look towards another quality watch brand to keep the variety in my collection.
That being said, if anyone is thinking of purchasing a Monta and has not owned one yet, I highly recommend the brand. The quality again is worth every penny and more. The Monta team and staff are also top notch guys. If I were swimming in money, I would definitely own at least 3 Monta's.
Way too expensive for a microbrand. Personally, I'd rather go for a Sinn or Oris at that price range. Could you do a review on Lorier please? They look like an interesting microbrand with decent pricing and original designs. Their new panda Gemini looks fantastic!
In terms of finishing and attention to detail, Monta blows Sinn and Oris into the middle of next year, at the same price point. I know this, as I own, or have owned all three brands.
I used to think the same thing. Try to go hands on with watches from all three brands if you can. Pretty clear who makes the objectively better watch under $2k. Signed, Former Monta skeptic turned Skyquest owner (Oris and Sinn just can’t compete with this kind of quality for the price)
I've consistently heard that the Monta is on a whole different level though.... Much more luxury.... Like an Omega. I feel like you really don't get that much for your money with the Oris watches. They do look cool though..... The Sinn is good.... But nothing special, IMO.... Band new company but the watch delivered the goods.
Ram Spencer Sinn makes incredible watches but the really remarkable ones are $3-5k. Oris quality is substandard even at gray market prices but good value used around $1k. In-house movements aside (which is not a feature in a tool watch IMO) my Skyquest is on par quality-wise with the four Omegas I’ve owned (two Speedmasters, one 300M SMP, one Planet Ocean). Take that for what it’s worth from someone with real hands-on experience over 20 years in this hobby.
@@joshgull totally. I meant in the lower tiers. Sorry my bad.
I’m a Monta skeptic (circa 2017-2018) turned big fan after getting hands on with their watches in 2019. Own a Skyquest with plans to add an Atlas this year and Oceanking next year. After comparing their quality with comparably prices brands like Oris, Sinn and Longines it was pretty clear than Monta is operating on a level well above those other brands (and is arguably the more unique choice, pretty bored of seeing the same Oris and Sinns over and over again). Zero worries of brand cache as serviceability of the Selitta will never be an issue and I’ve got a sneaking suspicion that Monta will be a brand on par with some real heavyweights before long.
Yeah, with specs like that for the price, it's understandable, also, what were your experience with the customer service of Monta is?
Also, in my unpublised fanfic about BanG Dream!, Love Live!, South Park and Forza Horizon (2012) (Titled: The double lesbian wedding of Tae Hanazono and Saaya Yamabuki and of Umi Sonoda and Kotori Minami: A BanG Dream! and Love Live! fanfic featuring South Park and Forza Horizon (2012)), Tae Hanazono wear a Monta Oceanking V2 in blue for the double wedding of her and Saaya alongside Umi and Kotori (Kyle Broflovski gifted Tae Hanazono the Monta Oceanking in question, the reason is that in the fanfic, Kyle is 27 years old and has a degree in psychology and work as a qualified and licensed psychologist and therefore he has a lot of money. Also, Kyle Broflovski's tool dive watch is the Ollech & Wajs C-1000 on the rubber strap)
@@trongnghiachu1977probably the most random comment I’ve ever read on CZcams.
The 2k market is too crowded for another generic diver imo. It looks nice and the quality seems there, but it’s completely unmemorable and does nothing to stand out from he field imo.
Generic? Huh?!!! It really does it's own thing. That's what I really like about it!
@@ramspencer5492why do you love them so much? You're literally replying to every semi-negative comment. People are allowed to have opinions.
@@tomu-s2075 yes. I maybe overdid it. I was very impressed with the watch in person. I didn't get nasty with anyone except you though.
@@tomu-s2075 you're also being civil now. So I should apologize. I'm sorry for reacting so harshly.
As an Oregonian and fan of geographically accurate t-shirts, well done, Jody!
Elerosse another Oregonian here and also love the shirt!
$2k for this or the new Casio Duro in blue for $60......... I think I'll just go ahead and save my marriage and get the Casio.
Todd Smith A wise move I think 🤔😁
Todd Smith I have a Blue Duro, and I absolutely love it. Plus, I will choose the Duro’s shade of blue over the Monta’s in a second.
That blue is pretty awful, almost as garish as that Tissot you had in a while ago! Nice thin case and good proportions though, a black version would probably look classy!
MrShoryuken1 the black one is super nice and I agree with the blue not a fan. I love this Monta blue that’s on the Atlas which is a greenish blue, very nice
Reminds me of the Invicta blue a bit.
Yeah. I don't like that blue at all. The guilded black is really cool though
"The Microbrand King?"
Personally what I like about microbrands is the quality to price ratio. Monta might be up there in terms of quality but at ~$2k there are a whole lot of established options out there.
You know it’s going to be a good day when the vid starts with ‘helllooow’ in a Scottish accent 👍
For two grand we should definitely get a color matching date window!
They had a prototype with this, and went with the white for legibility. A big part of their ethos is the "tool watch" approach.
But then old people will complain there's not enough contrast for their old eyes to read the date.
@@astifcaulkinyeras us old people complain no matter what. LOL
@@williamrizzo1285 says the man who's complaining! 😋
It's crazy how many comments say they can get the same specs for a lot cheaper. Obviously they have not handled one of these watches. You cannot get this level of quality brand new for any cheaper, but you can get far less quality for far more expensive.
Agree. And Monta deliver slim watches. I like that.
As with most dive watches I was very much thinking "it's nice but I'm not big on straight 3 hand watches" and then you mention the Skyquest at the same price. So the SKyquest I totally would, but still the price is a niggle for me.
Really enjoyed your review! The black Oceanking has been my daily watch for the past year and a half and I still smile when I look down at it on my wrist. It is nice to wear a watch with history, but there’s also something to be said about a watch that speaks to you and others won’t notice. Justin has always been helpful and responsive, even before I spent a dime with them. The watch is excellent quality, but the customer service is even better.
I enjoy watching your reviews its refreshing to see integrity and honesty
I am a VERY SATISFIED Monta owner. Last year I bought the Triumph !! And finding myself very close to buying their very next release. Of course love the Oceanking but I’m waiting for their version of a true dress piece.
consiser the atlas? hmm!
Too expensive, Id rather get a Longines Hydroconquest
hydroconquest is a great watch , i have one myself and its a very under rated watch. great choice
I wouldn't pay that much for that watch. It isn't ugly but I'm not into that much blue!!! Love the Tshirt. I stayed in a treehouse in Oregon. Thx 4 that memory.
Just like the Melbourne Watch Company review, how are micro brands sending in their watches for review without a stringent QC check...?
Phil Bass in Monta’s defense, sometimes these pieces of fluff are tucked away somewhere not noticeable upon inspection but then break free and appear after shipping or time passing during use. Just an idea 🤷🏻♂️
I own two Monta watches and the Oceanking will be my next purchase. Absolutely outstanding watches and great value for money, even with the import duties into Australia. Sure I could buy other established brands for similar or less money but why? Just for the name? These watches are extremely well built, have incredible dials and obsessive levels of detail. They could charge double and still be worth the money (please don't though). A lot of comments on here will be from people who have never handled one, and all complain about the cost. Don't worry, they are worth it, the quality is there.
I agree on the black probably being my pick over the blue. As far as the Skyquest versus Oceanking, I don't think the Skyquest has the glidelock clasp, and the GMT movement has the independent GMT hand instead of the independent hour hand like the GMT Master / Explorer II.
I've handled Montas twice at Worn and Wound watch fairs, and I can confirm that a) the GMT version is way better/cooler and that's the one you should go for, and b) the build quality justified the price tag. And Justin is a great guy to chat with.
Ticks all the right boxes - - BUT too expensive.
100% Agree with you .
There is a lot to like here. When I was looking for a non-Seiko diver (which I already have so many of), I considered Monta. In the end I ended up buying a Christopher Ward Trident Pro 600, which I simply adore. Thanks for the review, Jody.
To me the quality of their watches is certainly worth the price. I‘m a Monta Triumph owner and as field watchers go it’s one of the best I’ve ever owned. I liked it a lot better than my Tudor North Flag, which the Monta equaled in quality. The triumph is $1500 and the north flag is $3800. I sold the Tudor and a year later the Monta is still at +4 seconds a day.
People rave a lot about Monta online. Not disputing they are nice watches, but they are most definitely not value watches, given the prices. Now, I'm not allergic to high-priced watches, but when you start getting into those rarefied atmospheres where the price of the watch can no longer be explained by "quality craftsmanship", then that premium above the alpha I'm paying for is the name and prestige of the label. Something Monta doesn't have - even though they charge like they think they do. A watch is value when it's no effort to convince people it was worth the purchase - Rolex is a high-end example of this everyone accepts. But with this watch, you'd need to convince yourself and then work hard to convince everyone else it was worth it.
Well stated. I happen to own a Time-Only variant and really like it. However, I have t agree with everything mentioned here. I did have to convince myself to purchase it and I do find myself trying to convince others of its worth. And it does bother me, which is why I'm thinking about moving it.
This channel makes me happy. Thanks Jodi.
I think it's gorgeous and very well finished, I saw a review for a black and gold one which also looks amazing (by a CZcamsr named daily wristchecker)
Oh and for me the price is just to high. Too expensive for me.
Agreed. Not for $2000. So many other choices out there. Heck you could buy 4 $500 watches that are really nice for the price they are asking. I would not ROCK that WATCH.
I have an aftermarket glidelock clasp on my Pagani. Same style as stock, no logo. €11 or so. Not the greatest tolerances, but hey, it does work!
Yes! Oregon IS above California! It's also the best part of a Cali-Washington sandwich.
I don’t understand all the folks saying this isn’t a good value. What other watch gives you glide lock, ceramic fully lumed bezel, fully articulating bracelet and near COSC accuracy for 2k?
Absolutely no sale..Don't know where they get off charging that for a newish microbrand..Can get 10 San Martins for that or 3 Zelos
Hi, Jody! Please read this! First off, I'd like to express how appreciative I am of you and your channel. I've been a subscriber to your channel since late October of 2018 and have been so interested in all the watches you've presented on your channel! Thank you SO much for giving me interest in other brands that I haven't been familiar with before and keep these videos coming! Second, I also prefer black dial watches because they're so versatile with different attire as opposed to other color watches. Third, I'd much prefer the black Monta Triumph with the metal bracelet and a chocolate leather strap thrown in because it looks so clean and less busy!
Honestly this looks like Steinhart quality at 4 times the price (other than the glide lock clasp).
And you can get a glidelock on AliExpress for 15 dollars.
Steinhart are nowhere in the same league as Monta when it comes to specs, build quality, finishing and attention to detail. Not even close.
😂😂😂 you casual watch guys are so funny
Nice case, great bracelet, great movement, average dial... Not crazy about the blue tint and definitely not crazy about the price. Great review J...Keep up the amazing work!
Again, your preferences seem to match mine. I love the colour blue but none of these blue dial + blue bezel divers do much for me. Too much of a good thing, perhaps? Other than that, this one looks pretty well engineered and finished, but the price seems a bit out of this world. There are plenty of other well finished/engineered Swiss Made divers out there for way less. Not sure why I should buy this one instead of, say, a TAG or an Oris or four Steinharts. Or keep saving and go for an Omega or Rolex.
Great review as always. I was having a conversation with someone the other day about why I wouldn’t buy one, and I struggled to articulate my point. You’ve summed it up very succinctly.
2 grand....2 GRAND! Go home Monta...you're drunk!
2 grand for a watch where you can see the springbar through the gap on the top right lug and end link lmfao
what a joke
@@minchrono24lover27two years later this is a hell of a deal for the quality
@@bulldog8934No it isn't, these watches only go for £1.8k max now.
I have to agree with a few comments that I’ve read on here today. 2k dollars for a micro brand is a bit steep. I picked myself a Tudor up the other day for 1650 uk pounds. I’m not saying the brand is not bad looking but they have to take a close look at there prices. Great review again old boy
Take it from someone who owns both the Ocean king and Sinn 104. The Monta is flat out just a better timepiece. The fit and finish is better in every way. Plus the bracelet is the most comfortable I’ve tried and that includes my Omega. I do have the black dial and love it but I can see why you’re not a fan of the blue. After owning the Ocean King for almost a year, I could definitely recommend it to anyone that is looking for a watch in this price range.
At $2000 you can go for oris, mido, rado, hamilton etc. or a preowned breitling even a tudor black bay at the high end
For that money I would buy a used quartz Grand Seiko!!! atb snack
Snack! I think you wouldn't be far off a SBGN011.........
I am the owner of two Monta’s (a black Oceanking and a blue Atlas) and they are great watches and the bracelet is top notch! I have met Justin and he is a super nice guy and he has taken care of me when I needed a warranty repair on my Oceanking. A couple things to be aware of: only the Oceanking gets that glidelock clasp. The Skyquest, triumph, and Atlas just have normal microadjusts. The resale value is pretty low, so I would recommend buying used. There are some really good deals out there on used ones. Lastly there are no half links currently but Justin told me they are working on them and they should be coming in the next few months
Good info mate, thanks! Maybe used is the way to go for now then. Cheers!
I wish more micros lived in this price range. Oak & Oscar is another company to look at in this niche.
They have great watches, some would argue, even better than Monta
That blue is gorgeous absolutely perfect
It’s almost like you’ve seen one diver you’ve seen them all. In terms of aesthetics, the wave master and dumas have been my favorites and the only recent divers that appeal to me, looks wise
The skyquest has the gmt hand but it doesn't come with the adjustable clasp. You only get that on the oceanking.
Totally agree that it's a bit too much blue. I like a blue dial but with the blue bezel it just looks a bit garish. It's hard to be objective about quality without handling the watch but it really doesn't look like a 2K watch from the video! When you consider just how luxurious something like the Brellum Duobox is for the same money, I think it's a bit pricey! Totally different watch I know. And lastly, it's too small for my taste!
Has anyone drunk the MONTA Kool-Aid ? I personally can't get past that 2K price point? Here's a list of some IMHO better choices. ALL PRICES AS OF TODAY ON JOMASHOP!
1: Breitling Colt $1995
2: Ball Hydrocarbon $1595
3: Longines Heritage L28824569 $ 1795
4:Oris Big Crown GMT $1820
5: ETERNA KONTIKI 44 $ 1800
6: Oris Aquis $1549
7: Hamilton X Wind $ 1075
8: Glycine Airman Bronze GMT $ 699
9: Tag Heuer Aquaracer $ 1925
10: Bell & Ross BR0392 $2075
Loved your review and really liked that you added some thoughts on the lume including your note that this would be equal to about 5-6 hours to the human eye adjusted to the darkness. Great job.
Another very fair and accurate review. I can’t really argue with the majority of those in the comments section: if you’re in the $2k bracket you’re facing some tough competition. If I was looking for interesting new marquee, I’d probably go Christopher Ward, if I was looking for brand cache then; Oris, Longines etc will sort me out nicely. I wish them luck and its clearly a well executed watch. Thanks again for the brilliant content Jody 😀
Hi, have you reviewed any tritium “lumed” watches ? I grabbed a carnival off aliexpress before Xmas just to try and despite the issues with the watch, it’s quite addictive to look at in the dark
Also any chance of a review of a few different watch bracelets? So many watches are let done by then and it would be nice to see some recommendations from someone that I know can be trusted ( did you like the flattery there ? )
Keep up the good work
Unfortunately, there are too few tritium watch brands out there. Luminox has some great designs but regularly have alignment issues with the quartz. Ball seems to have an excessive amount of issues in the fan pages. Deep blue is nice, but they stick to bulky tool watches.
The gilt and black dials look fantastic! I just got my grubby little mitts on a Super Seville day date on the cheap so my watch cravings has been fulfilled (for now!) Hope you're well Jody!
HELLLLLLLOOOOO and welcome I'm here for Just one more watch...
To those people saying that they'd rather have an Oris or Sinn instead, really need to handle a Monta in the metal. The quality of finishing, build quality and attention to detail, hammers similarly priced offerings from Sinn and Oris, into the middle of next year. I own a 556i and it's not in the same league.
If the review had used macros of the dial, hands and finishing, the different would have been obvious.
Dennis Kwok 100%
This
Nice shirt! -Signed, a native Oregonian.
I'm sooooo glad you reviewed this piece!!! I've seen reviews on this watch and nothing against those reviews but it's something about how you do it, it brings factors to the light that you might under look. I have been looking at this watch for some time now and I find it hard to just get it for some reason. Now I know why! I bought an orient mako usa 2 before Christmas and matched it with a coin edge bezel and lumed ceramic insert and I absolutely love this watch! Mine actually is only 2 seconds fast which is outstanding! I want to buy I luxury swiss diver but I'm in so much in love with my "masterpiece" I find it hard to justify the purchase. Has this ever happen to you? As always great review and be safe in these conditions! Until next time!
JODY- Good on you for wearing the shirt, Millennials don't know Geography...
Absolutely love the size and variation of these watches. Would look perfect on my measly wrist. That blue is stunning.
Love my Triumph, they're really something special, already on pictures and videos but even more when you hold them in your hands 👌🏼
Nice! Well built but that blue one is a bit garish. I agree with other viewers that for the price I rather get something with more history like Tudor or a used Omega.
Nice watch but, before I drop that kind of $$ on a Micro I know nothing about; I will buy the Tag Heuer WAJ2110.BA0870 Aquaracer that's been on my wish list for over 4 years.🤔
Keep 'em coming, Jody! 😉👍
It looks lovely, just the text being unbalanced annoys me a bit - the letter m seems to be way to far to the right. Otherwise really nice, if over priced a bit. I would opt for a Christopher ward or an Oris for that kind of price.
Expensive for what you get. Especially since I should receive my $400 Axios this month. Would love to compare the differences but, since I cannot, your videos are my guide to Micro brand quality and value. Thanks Jody.
They're expensive. And I don't see anything (without putting one on the wrist) that would make me buy one online. As you say, think I'd give it a few more years before I dropped 3 grand on a newish microbrand no matter how good it seems. And they do not have enough variety to make it interesting for the money right now. 👍 great review as always.
Am looking to buy 1 Monta watch... until I saw your video 🤣
It's an almost for me as well. While size fit and finish are there, the color is distracting maybe even jarring. But then I chose the slate Aqua Terra over blue. The price puts it comfortably in Oris territory making it just a little more difficult choice.
I have a Triumph (Black). The quality is as good as my Omega Seamaster. Looks good, feels good. Was tempted by Oris but the finish is just not there.
2k for a generic diver from an unknown brand? Dream on MONTA!
The only thing I liked was the clasp.
I think NTH has a greater value in it.
Wish you make one review cause i put my eyes on it.
Great disappointment 2k usd ! Hate that blue colour.
Mutaz Jabban having owned both an NTH and 2 Montas. I gotta say, the Monta is leagues above NTH. Design of their own and quality that is on par with Rolex and Omega. Don’t bash unless you get to see one of these in person. Worth every penny and stands on its own next to my Rolex.
@@katshoulders4576 couldn't agree more. Don't get me wrong I very much love my nacken, but it can't compare in any way to my triump. The only knock on monta is brand recognition.
I would not ROCK that WATCH for $2000. So many great watches and watch companies out there for that price. Especially in the pre owned market. Looks very beautiful though.
So they charge almost 2k and did not even bother to make different bezel for different model?
Also is the bezel misaligned? 7:47
"Swiss made" cheaper copy of ETA
Big no from me, there are plenty of micros that gives you waaay more than this. IMO big price tag works only for old watch manufacturers (not that it's justified lol).
The bezel for the Skyquest is bi-directional and 72 click
You can get a variety of different bezels for the different models.
Skyquest is a bidirectional 72 click bezel. Oceanking is 60 click unidirectional. That was a slip up in the review.
I really don’t want to deal with a diver without a glide lock clasp now that I’m used to it….I have it with a Cronos L6005 and I love it.
Agree mate! I'm wearing one now....
Monta Skyquest Guilt Dial is my best looking watch by far. It completely replaced my BB58. The perceived built quality of the Monta is just ahead of my Oris65 & BB58.
But it feels like a better version of the Mido Ocean Star. The case & bracelet are very similar. Everyone looking for a cheaper alternative should look at the mido
Hey j, are you gonna put up the Sharkey review soon? Looking forward
Still hasn't arrived mate!
I just received a sharkey/ Heimdallr bronze skx homage with a blue dial and it is really lovely with Amazing lume!
Glidelock - perhaps the most valuable innovation in watch bracelets of recent years. Is it an expensive to implement design feature? Well recently I purchased a rather good sterile Parn-ish Batman GMT just for the movement. It cost me £24 shipped from China! It has a perfectly well made and functional glidelock with a greater range of adjustment than the Monta. So sorry, but the value proposition of the Monta just does not stack up and for two grand I want adjustability that will guarantee comfort AND a brand that would make me feel successful...
Oh, and as to my cheapo GMT, well the darned thing is too good to scrap just for the movement as per my original plan. So I guess I'm still in the market for a replacement Minging-zoo GMT movement to repair my "genuine" Parnis GMT, unless someone can suggest something better...
I always admire the integrity of your reviews Jodie. I just hope Monta are amongst those who like me have learned from it.
Have you had any experience with Lorier? They make some nice looking watches that you might be interested in. They’re sort a vintage style company, and so I think all their watches have acrylic crystal, which is why I’m kind of hesitant towards them (among other factors). I don’t have any experience with them but I’m looking for a nice dive watch at the moment (I’m considering the RLG Odyssea III, thanks to you!) and their name came up somewhere, so I figured, maybe Jody would like to know about Lorier!
Much prefer the Monta Skyquest, but seriously I would simply get a Glycine Airman GMT for a fraction of the price!
I could top up another us$2-300 and get a Tudor Black Bay 58
I agree, simply no reason to get a Monta. Way to many options out there
I'm hesitating between Tudor bb36 and triumph from Monta. Frankly I'm not quite sure I want to wear a Tudor. I hope you will have a triumph to make a review.
Almost ready to pull the trigger on a Monta, until your video. Thanks for giving me a head shake. My concerns are micro brand, quality control issue, and most importantly no half link, which makes the slide lock clasp redundant.
Good review. Glad you finally got one in. I agree....if I was to cough up for a Monta, it would probably be a guilded black SkyQuest..... But bear in mind. I'm not sure that model has the glide lock clasp. That may be the price equalizer. Then maybe it would be more of a toss up... Or ask to pay a little extra and get the oceanking....$$$ bracelet. Cheers
I do like the design and the finishing.
I gotta disagree with you Jodi on this one. I see a lot of comments saying “you can buy 2 of these for the price of a Monta” or “you can buy a CWard or Oris for this pricepoint” there’s no arguing there. But...I personally stand by my thoughts that Monta’s quality far exceeds any other microbrand I’ve ever handled as punches far above its weight. I own the Oceanking in this video as well as a Triumph and will be adding another to my collection this year. They stand right next to my Rolex and Omegas in my collection as far as quality and craftsmanship go. The feel of a Rolex Sports Watch was hard to duplicate for me on the wrist but somehow Monta managed to give the same feel. While the movement is not in house, this doesn’t bother me as it’ll be far cheaper to service than my other luxury brand pieces. I wouldn’t bash the brand until you’ve got to hold one in your hand. That’s what made me a believer in Monta. The price may be high for those of you used to buying microbrands in the under 1k range but they are far ahead of what 99% of those brands are doing. But I get it, it’s a brand you’ve not heard of asking $1,800 for a watch, but believe me, it’s worth every damn penny. These guys aren’t going to stay small for very long. Just my 2¢ of course. ✌🏼
Nice review, as always! So, for $2000 one is getting a quality build. But no panache, no history, no brand cache, nothing unique... to be brutally honest, I think these will be on Watch Gang (Platinum, of course) in about 2 years. If Watch Gang continues to exist... yeah, you could buy one to be a bit different and speculative about the brand lasting and having one of the “originals.” But I don’t think that is enough (or a wise investment), and Dan Henry’s are going to appreciate proportionally better than these. Love the fact that people are so passionate about watches that they are making these micro brand ventures (many, many, many of them). I own a few such watches. But these are a solid “meh.”
Still, love having your reviews - thanks for your relative objectivity. Far too many good options for $2000 USD (before taxes and duties!)...
I never thought the price was justified...until I picked one up for a bit less preowned (wet blue stainless bezel) ....and in person the build quality is immediately obvious and
it became one of the nicest and most loved in my collection. Rolex quality bracelet and clasp, superb finishing and wears very comfortable being so flat and thin and It is also one of the most accurate I own. If they could find a way to offer these closer to $1k everyone would own one.
Great video Jody as always. Even though I am not a fan of Monta they are doing something right because they are selling a lot of watches and seem to be popular. Love the T-shirt. I lived in Washington State foe about 7 years and if I had a T-Shirt it would read Washington is above Oregan and California, lol. Thanks again, Brian.
The black GMT version of the Monta has to be an homage to Omega. Search Seamaster GMT and look at the old black dial GMT with sword hands (not the Bond skeleton hands). I have one in great shape I bought pre-owned a few years ago for $2,200 US. Given what I have in hand (sorry I don’t know how to post a pic), I agree with the other commenter - in this case, better to have a used Seamaster 300 GMT 2234.50 (for $2,200-$3,000) than the Monta. Or any of the other Omega GMTs if you can get fine examples at that price.
It do like how it has touches of vintage and new watches. There's a mid 90's Zodiac Seawolf with this same look. All blue, coin edge bezel, etc. and I'm a big fan of it. If it had Zodiac on the dial I'd be all about this, but 2k on a microbrand...eahhhhhh......I could get a new Black Bay 36 for that price.
Love the shirt. My Home. Finally some representation.
A nice part of the world? The shirt was sent to me by a generous subscriber called David.
Just One More Watch of course. I see David all the time. Everyone in Oregon is on a first name basis. 😉😁
David Hansen haha, I’m in SE PDX. Pick a day, time and location for a wrist check, and I’ll be there. 😁
David Hansen am or pm?
Jodi, what would you get instead of the Casio Edifice's
Yea, gotta agree a bit boring for $2,000 and the 304 is a bit wacky. I’d go with the Oris at this price.
It looks like it would be great in a different color. It seems really well built, but I'd have a hard time dropping $2k on a watch without a history. I don't think the price is too much to ask compared to the competition if you don't consider cachet, but it's hard not to. What I'd love to see is Monta being successful to the point where the price isn't something to scoff at. They might benefit from releasing a few sub-$1k watches to get more out there and increase adoption rate, making this particular watch a safer prospect for buyers.
Been following Monta for some time now and my mindset is quite similar; if I was fortunate to think about dropping that kind of money on a watch, there are too many other well established brands that would draw my attention away. Hell, at that kind of money, I'd keep saving and go next tier up to a BB58 or a Seamaster.
Would love to see how Farer would compare (now that you've broken the high end microbrand ceiling)!
The Phoibos at a mere fraction of the price of the Monta, is equal to this brand with more stylish options. That’s why the Phoibos watches are mostly sold out.
Very well done but for a 2k Swiss Microbrand dive watch (is this the most expensive out there?) I would expect COSC certified. Are there other similarly priced dive watches with a 65 hour power reserve?
Add tax and shipping probably closer to 2300 dollars when shipped to the uk . You can pick up a. Aquis from an Ad for around 1200 quid for large parts of the year . More choice brand heritage and a whole lot less hassle if anything goes wrong . No doubt it’s well built but the uninspiring design combined with hefty price makes for a less than compelling package in my opinion.
This is one watch channel that has held reasonable giveaways. Participants didn't have to jump through hoops like a circus animal.
Model keep in mind the sky quest doesn't have the glide lock system. Great review!