After some time spent on the sidelines, the Monta Oceanking has now officially been refreshed for its third iteration. As the brand’s debut model, the Oceanking made a splash back in 2016 and in many ways set new standards and expectations for smaller boutique brands offering something at a higher price range. As controversial as that release was, the Oceanking has grown to be a Monta fan favorite alongside models like the Skyquest and Atlas. Now, some new subtle tweaks and improvements have put the diver back on the map ready for eager enthusiasts to scoop one up.
Looking back at the original 2016 Oceanking, it’s really been fascinating to see how much the watch has evolved. Just like the first generation, Monta went with a ceramic bezel insert with refreshed markings, a lume pip at the 12 o’ clock triangle (the insert is no longer fully-lumed), and a patent-pending bezel assembly that operates on three ball bearings. It’s nice to see Monta keep ceramic on the Oceanking, seeing as how they recently transitioned to aluminum bezels on the latest Skyquest models. The bezel is a 120-click type and to my eyes almost looks a little wider than the previous model. It could also be that the numerals look way bolder and larger than what we saw on the v2.
On the dial side of things, the two text lines just above the date window have been flipped. The date window has also been expanded, which actually looks like a smart move now that I see it side-by-side with the v2. Monta has also slightly revised the bracelet with a more compact clasp and a shorter tab on the flip lock. This is something I’d really have to test in person since, to me, that easy-to-wrangle tab on the older Monta clasps was so satisfying to operate. The new Monta Oceanking v3 is also running a Sellita SW300, which Monta labels as the caliber M-22. It’s got a 56-hour power reserve.
Monta Oceanking V3 Specs
- Case diameter: 40.5mm
- Case thickness: 12mm
- Lug-to-lug: 48mm
- Water resistance: 300m
- Case material: Stainless steel
- Movement: Monta caliber M-22
- Crystal: Sapphire
- Bracelet: Stainless steel
- Price: $2,225
The new Monta Oceanking is available for pre-order starting today July 3rd at 10:00AM CT. You can learn more about the latest iteration of Monta’s signature diver on the brand’s official site.
Co-Founder & Senior Editor
Michael Peñate is an American writer, photographer, and podcaster based in Seattle, Washington. His work typically focuses on the passage of time and the tools we use to connect with that very journey. From aviation to music and travel, his interests span a multitude of disciplines that often intersect with the world of watches – and the obsessive culture behind collecting them.
The Oceanking is really the core of their collection and I like the way they incrementally improve it with each new iteration. Monta is also releasing a new Triumph within the next two years. They really nailed the case size on the Triumph but I never liked how they handled the array of numerals on the dial. I bet that is one of the things that will be addressed.