Monta Atlas Review
For the uninitiated, micro watch brands offer an enticing and curious gamble – on the one hand, new watch companies lack the pedigree and track record that inspire and reassure many a watch buyer. On the other hand, what they lack in history can be more than made up for in originality and, most importantly, value. Monta is a brand that has managed to find its way in a highly competitive, slow to evolve marketplace, and developed a cult following in the watch collector community in the process. When one puts the Monta Atlas on the wrist, It’s clear to see why so many speak so highly of the brand.
There’s really no other place to start – the finishing on this watch is beautiful. I mean really beautiful. Frankly, it’s a level of finishing that I’d expect to find on a much more expensive watch. Alternating between clean, consistent brushing and a fine mirror polish, the different beveled edges throughout dance back and forth between glossy and textured. This contrast takes the eye on a guided tour from bezel, to lugs, to link, to clasp. It’s truly a pleasure to explore.
Now, don’t get me wrong, there’s nothing overtly groundbreaking here in terms of technique. The trappings of fine Swiss watchmaking are all presented in classic form – within the sapphire caseback, a decorated ETA 2893-2 automatic movement is on display, boasting blued screws, Côtes Des Genève across the signed rotor, and perlage adorning the baseplate. These flourishes of Swiss artistry and craftsmanship are familiar, and even expected at $10k and up. But that’s the thing – the Atlas costs just $1,950, and while the movement itself is fairly run-of-the-mill, it's adorned in such a way that makes it feel rather special.
The Atlas has a strong stance on the wrist, with a nice amount of heft and presence to feel sturdy without being overbearing. At 38.5mm, it wears a bit bigger than one might expect, closer to 40 or 41. This is likely due to the size of the lugs, which have a broad and slightly longer profile. It’s not off putting by any means, but creates a somewhat more stocky feeling on the wrist than one might expect, given the understated field-watch-esque aesthetic that the Atlas has.
In keeping with the visual interest of the finishing, the dial has an equal amount of depth to it. Punctuated by red accents, the raised applied indices emerge from small cutouts in the numbered rehaut. Prominent are the markers at 3 and 9 o’clock, but the standout is the monolithic marker at 12. This marker is so large that the GMT hand is actually bent upwards in order to clear it, adding an extra dimension of visual interest to the function. This crook in the GMT hand is likely to be one of the more divisive design details on the Atlas (and it is also present on another piece in Monta’s lineup, the Skyquest). It has a more modern feel to it than the rest of the rhodium plated handset, which are decidedly more vintage inspired with their sword profile. For those put off by the feature, I will say it is much less prominent or distracting in person than it is in photos.
The function of the GMT is straightforward and legible, with the second time zone being set by the crown in its first position. As nice as this function is, it does result in the absence of a quick-set date. Now, if you’ve ever owned a vintage watch, this will likely be cause for concern, but I will say that due to the prominence and shape of the signed crown, it was not too arduous a task to set. It’s a fine balance between form and function.
Pound for pound, the Atlas is a LOT of watch for less than $2k. The real story of the Atlas has to be its level of finishing, as it significantly belies the price point. That’s not to say it’s a perfect watch. Small design choices, like the breadth of the lugs or the vintage inspired handset, are at odds with the more austere, contemporary personality of the watch. It doesn’t all gel perfectly, but fortunately, even in those moments of aesthetic tension, the detailing remains beautiful. Perhaps the primary pleasure of the Atlas, and indeed Monta as a whole, is that one can experience that romantic luxury of a high-end timepiece without the prohibitive price point that is too often required.
Written by Troy Barmore
IG: @troybarmore
Images by Jack Koto
IG: @thisisjackkoto
