Introducing: The New Monta Oceanking
Any news of a new dive watch is generally good news. When it comes to a new Monta Oceanking, though, we suspect that some fans have been eagerly waiting for quite some time. I’m happy to report that both those fans and potential new entrants to the brand should like what they see here.
Wow! I was conducting some research for the new Monta Oceanking, which naturally led me to the prior version known as “v2.” Astonishingly, the first link that arose during my search was from Monta itself with an end-of-production notice. That’s not so surprising, but it was published in February 2022. This means that Monta has been soldiering on without a dive watch in its catalog for nearly 18 months! That seems hard to believe these days with the popularity of the genre, but the brand seems to holding its own rather well. Recent releases from the Noble and Skyquest lines have done just fine. Today, though, at least in the Monta world, everything becomes whole again.
The Monta Oceanking “v3”
The new Monta Oceanking won’t be confused for anything other than a Monta. Furthermore, versus the prior version, we can classify “v3” as evolutionary rather than revolutionary. All of that is positive in my view because it means that the young brand has developed a recognizable and successful design language. Essentially, we have a very traditional dive watch with a focus on great finishing for the price and high legibility. Let’s look further.
The specs
The latest Monta Oceanking uses the same case size as the recently released Skyquest. This translates to a 40.7mm stainless watch with a revised 47.4mm lug-to-lug. I mention this for those with a smaller wrist because the last generation had a length of roughly 49mm. The dial hosts the more noticeable changes, and they’re for the better. The long, slender lume plots have given way to much larger, bolder lume-filled indices. Also, the minute track has moved to the outer edge and no longer sits in line with the indexes. The date window now comprises the entire 6 o’clock index, and there’s no longer a little stub of lume below it. Lastly, note that the old “1,000 ft – 304 m” verbiage has changed to a more typical “300 m ~ 1,000 ft.” The hands are similar, but the seconds hand looks plainer and more serious if that makes sense. All in all, this is a much cleaner, more grown-up-looking Oceanking than before.
This Monta Oceanking also sports a revised ceramic dive bezel with an inlaid lume pip at 12 o’clock. Here again, the bezel looks simpler and cleaner with a greater focus on visibility. There’s also a screw-down crown with debossed logo, which is, apparently, a first for the company. Henry Ford is often purported to have said, “Any color the customer wants, as long as it’s black,” and that rings true for the Oceanking too. We can guess that Monta will add more colors at some point, but for now, a lacquered black dial is the sole choice. The watch will come with the fantastic Oyster-style bracelet complete with a six-point easy-adjustment system. Underneath the screw-in solid case back, Monta is using a top-grade Sellita SW300-1 that the brand refers to as the M-22.
Thoughts on the Monta Oceanking
The changes to the newest Monta Oceanking may not seem large, but they add up to an even more cohesive watch. I really liked the prior version and even tested one. The v3 feels more mature and, as I frequently opine about Monta, this feels like a watch that could easily stand in as a no-regrets daily wearer. There’s no doubt that Rolex influences are at work, but as I also always mention, when the parent company owns Everest straps, it’s not a surprise. It also adds up to a great watch on the wrist in terms of proportions and comfort. Just looking at those highly articulating end links or the svelte 11.7mm thickness are real hints to how well this will wear.
Pricing and availability
The Monta Oceanking will be available on the Monta site for pre-order beginning on July 7th at 10:00 AM Central Daylight Time (5:00 PM CEST) for the special price of US$2,225. After deliveries begin in October, pricing will increase to $2,550. Critics will always look at the movement and claim that these watches are too expensive. I’d suggest that Monta watches are a cut above their price level. They compete very well with watches costing 50% more and should leave owners extremely satisfied. This new Oceanking is a truly attractive dive watch and a great step for the brand. As a result, I expect it to do very well.
