ON THE WRIST
The size and color of the text remain visually subservient to the
applied hour indices of LumiNova BG W9 surrounded in the same gilt,
while the date window has a subtle gold trim outlining the beveled
window. You’ve heard those who dislike the date window on these
divers, but I like it here. I think a black date wheel instead, like on the
Monta Triumph, would meet both the visual and functional demands of
the market.
I live in a gold-free watch world, so these subtle design elements
are often wasted on me, but brands know that the gold accent works.
Although this is not my preference, I think the gold could be added to
parts of the ceramic bezel, as well, to tie the accents together.
If the gilt dial isn’t your style, Monta offers black, blue and wet
blue dials along with black, blue and steel bezels. The Monta website
does a good job showing the options, which include rubber straps in
blue and black.
RARITY AND VALUE
Dive watches that respect the tried and true design elements of the
past can cost more or less than the Oceanking, so Monta offers in-
novation and the entrepreneur motivation of a U.S. company that can
go head-to-head with bigger brands. The watch will retail for $1,925 on
bracelet and $1,700 on rubber through the Monta Watch website. The
watch comes with a two-year warranty.
The bracelet’s patent-pending deployant clasp design that allows
the subtlest size adjustment without a tool.
It’s easy to see the innovative spirit in its bezel or clasp, but a
noticeable refinement came from Monta’s willingness to launch the first
version and learn from it. I can’t imagine a large brand being able to
release a watch, listen to customers and offer changes that included
a redesigned smaller case with crown guards smaller than the original
version. This customer responsiveness has to be part of the calcula-
tion when deciding to buy from a microbrand.
To accommodate the smaller case size, Monta switched move-
ments from the Eterna 3909a to Sellita’s high-grade SW300 self-
winding chronometer movement, which has the respectable 42-hour
reserve. All this reliability weighs only 158 grams and is sealed with a
solid case back, so it can handle a depth rating of 304 meters (1,000
feet) of water resistance.
LEGIBILITY
The seven-layers of anti-reflective coating applied to the inside of the
flat sapphire crystal make the white sword hands clear and legible.
In this model, Monta uses gilt on the sweeping seconds hand and to
frame the hour and minute hands. These accents provide a subtle,
handsome contrast to the flat black dial. The dial’s text is proportionate
to the space and balanced making it easy to navigate visually.
38 | AboutTime Magazine
Monta uses gilt on the sweeping seconds hand and to
frame the hour and minute hands.