Wearing
the Monta
Oceanking
D
ive watches are like screwdrivers. Everyone needs one in
their tool box, and you’re bound to buy one when you see a
new feature your old one doesn’t have. The Monta Oceank-
ing is like that since it adds comfortable details and unique innovations
to an everyday tool watch priced less than $2,000.
Monta and its St. Louis-based founders first launched its diver a
few years ago and then listened closely to customers. The company
took that feedback and reissued the Oceanking with crown guards,
a smaller case, and a different mechanical movement that is more
common and easily serviced. They also reduced the price and created
more dial options.
FIRST IMPRESSIONS
The curves on the smaller, 40.7mm case called to me immediately and
represent the signature characteristic of this watch. They are subtle,
even soft, and make the bracelet and case comfortable to hold and
wear. This overall finish along with the 11.9mm case height make it
ideally suited for an everyday wear.
DESIGN AND FINISH
The beveled edges work their way around the case from the 20mm
lugs to the crown guards, which offer a snug set of polished shoulders
that gently slope up to the polished crown. The crown is well pro-
tected between these guards, so it may take smaller hands than mine
to easily grasp it.
The coin-edge of the bezel has a beveled edge and is fitted su-
perbly on the case to make the most satisfying sixty clicks around the
dial using its patent-pending assembly. The luminescent ceramic insert
is a nice addition to its exceptional function.
It’s the details that get my attention on this diver. For example, I
liked like the tight integration between the case and bracelet and the
fully articulating solid, beveled links held together with screws and not
pins. I can’t believe how this small feature adds comfort to the brace-
let, but it does.
INNOVATION
Monta has put some of its energy into the bracelet’s patent-pending
deployant clasp design that allows the subtlest size adjustment without
a tool. It’s easy to figure out and can quickly make a difference when
you’re sizing it for daily changes to your wrist.
Monta offers black, blue and ‘wet’ blue dials
and black, blue and steel bezels.
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