Monta Line Up from Basel World 2018

March 23, 2018

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BaselWorld is highlighted by the big brands like Omega, Rolex or Patek. Journalists as well as fans of the brands contemplate about the latest releases, wishing for a steel Pepsi or the 4^th edition of a legend. However, the fair is not only about them. Smaller, lesser known brands, the underdogs of the industry, are also represented in quite a large number. One of these brands since last year is Monta; a brand brought to life by a group of guys from the US who are producing Swiss Made watches. Our very own Gerard reviewed one of their first models last year. This year they are back with some new and improved models. They tackle sea, air and…well, land. One watch for each territory. So, let’s have a look what Monta at BaselWorld has to offer.

Oceanking

Needless to say, the Oceanking is Monta’s most well known watch. The model received a bit of an upgrade since last year. The guys took a different turn with the movement supplier and went with Sellita for the first time. The Swiss movement manufacturer is responsible for every movement Monta uses. The Sellita caliber SW300 inside is an automatic mechanical caliber, with 42 hours of power reserve, 25 jewel and 28,800 bph. The Oceanking comes in a 40.7mm steel case with a unidirectional rotating bezel ceramic bezel. You have the date at 6 o’clock and water resistance up to 1000 feet (slightly more than 300m). strap-wise you can either pick one up on a steel bracelet with articulating links and a clever diver extension (trust me, it’s really cool) or a rubber strap. Retail price is $1700 (€1,380) for the rubber and $1,925 (€1,560) for the steel model. Very sympathetic.

Skyquest

Moving on from the sea to the sky, Monta offers a time only watch with added GMT function under the name Skyquest. Aesthetically the Skyquest is very close to the Oceanking with a few but very important changes. The bezel on this one is a 24H GMT bezel where only the dot at 12 is luminescent – unlike the bezel on the Oceanking. The case measurement and the bracelet/strap option are the same as previously mentioned. The Skyquest has a steel GMT hand with large red arrow tip which is stepped. Inside the watch beats the GMT version of the SW300, the Sellita SW330. Other than the added function the caliber bears the same features as its base movement. The price of the Skyquest is also the same as the Oceanking’s

Triumph

Nome nest omen – the name speaks for itself. The highest seller of Monta is their simple 3-hand watch, the Triumph. It’s a very handsome and elegant option for all of you non-sports watch lovers out there. It’s a bit smaller than its brothers at 38.5mm with a screw-down case back and crown. The bezel is not applied, just a nice polished steel rim circling the dial. Water resistance is 150m and the Triumph comes on a leather or rubber strap, which is by the way interchangeable amongst all 3 watches as well their steel bracelet. Like the Oceanking, the Sellita SW 300 powers the Triumph which is the least costly of all 3 models. The price is $1,375 (about €1,116) for the rubber and $1,550 (€1,258) for the leather strap model.

All 3 models come in a variety of different dial colors and several rubber and leather options. For more on any of the above watches make sure you check out Monta’s site.