Monta offers black,
blue and wet blue
dials along with black,
blue and steel bezels.
MONTA AND ITS ST. LOUIS-BASED FOUNDERS FIRST LAUNCHED
ITS OCEANKING 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. MONTA 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 protected 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 superbly 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 bracelet, but it does.
Monta uses gilt on the sweeping seconds hand
and to frame the hour and minute hands.
SUMMER 2018 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | 35