Monta Atlas GMT

Lets face it, in the world of vintage watches, we attach ourselves to the household brand stories that have been told time and time again. What prospective microbrands have to offer is entirely different and honestly, a breath of fresh air. The best part however, is that we get to watch and experience in real-time their own brand story unfold before our very eyes.

One small independent brand that has always been on our radar is Monta. Their aesthetic, at this point, is pretty well defined. They make rugged, yet refined tool watches that have vintage-inspired designs, with splashes of color and distinguishable design cues unique to the brand. The finishing is notably precise on their cases, with gorgeous bevels on the lugs and bezels, crisp brushing throughout, and their ‘sword’ hands have become something of a trademark and speak directly to our soul. You can already see why we’re fans of the St. Louis-based brand.

When the Monta Atlas GMT released in 2019, it was an outlier in the landscape of microbrand travel watches. The Atlas GMT didn’t have a robust case profile, nor did it sport a rotating 24-hour bezel. It was simple and sleek. And more importantly, functional.

All Atlas variants utilize a nearly perfectly sized 38.5mm stainless steel case with a sapphire crystal, a gorgeous brushed bezel with a polished edge, and a signed, stylized screw-down crown. Inside, it features a luminous ‘opaline’ silver dial with applied indices, a grey rehaut with a printed 24-hr scale, a matching ‘sword’ handset and Monta’s ‘stepped’ GMT hand, which at first, was a solution for the second hour hand to clear each hour marker as it makes its revolution, but now is a hallmark design cue for the Atlas.

Attention-to-detail is a constant theme here and that continues with how Monta executes their stainless steel bracelets. This Monta Atlas GMt is fitted with an oyster-style steel bracelet equipped with fully-articulating links and a signed fliplock clasp with a built-in quick-adjust system. The Atlas GMT uses an M-23 automatic winding 24-hr movement, which uses the venerable ETA 2893-2 as the base.

Our piece of advice – get your hands on one. Usually the first couple of seconds with a Monta in hand is followed by someone saying, “This really feels well made.” The quality is there. The aesthetics are there. And the founders of Monta are always just a message away.

This piece, as with all Montas, have to be handled and worn to be fully-appreciated!

So do yourself a favor, snag this one before it's gone.

It’s hard to imagine the microbrand world without Monta. In fact, it may not even be fair to label them as such since the brand has cemented themselves in the industry with a flourishing core collection and loyal following.

Monta was founded in 2016 by Michael DiMartini and Davide Barnes following their success with Everest Horology, a premium strap manufacturer primarily known for their Rolex-compatible straps. Only a year later, and thanks to a forged connection as a result of purchasing an Everest rubber strap for his 16800 Rolex Submariner, the duo would welcome Justin Kraudel, a tried-and-true watch enthusiast who at the time, was working in finance by day, and managing St. Louis RedBar by night.

Fast forward to today, both DiMartini and Kraudel are the forward-facing representatives of a thriving watch brand, but that didn’t come with its shortcomings. Monta has met every obstacle with an open ear, and every time, the brand has overcome each of those obstacles by leaning into the very pillars of what has made them successful –– a resolute focus for functional design, painstaking attention to detail and above all, unwavering accessibility to their customers.

Monta debuted with their core four models –– the Oceanking, Triumph, Skyquest and the Atlas GMT. The design language for each model has relatively remained unchanged. And much like every successful luxury watch brand, the design only changes when it genuinely makes the watch better.

You know how the saying goes, “The first impression is a lasting impression.” Monta capitalizes on this, every … single… time. It’s a common thing to hear how “well made” Monta’s watches are when someone has their watch in hand for the very first time. From the weight and feel, to the endless detail on the dial furniture and case finishing, Monta deserves every accolade they’ve received, and is a legitimate contender in every price tier they’re competing in.

With 7 years under their belt, and the big one-o looming, Monta remains as one of the adored microbrands that isn’t just for watch enthusiasts, but for anyone looking for a great timepiece that’ll last you until forever.

Our Pledge

Analog:Shift stands behind the authenticity of our products in perpetuity.

Condition

Since our pieces are vintage or pre-owned, please expect wear & patina from usage and age. Please read each item description and examine all product images.

Warranty

We back each Analog:Shift vintage timepiece with a one-year mechanical warranty from the date of purchase.

International Buyers

Please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.

All of our watches include complementary insured shipping within the 50 states.

Most of our products are on hand and will ship directly from our headquarters in New York City. In some cases, watches will be shipped directly from one of our authorized partners.

We generally ship our products via FedEx, fully insured, within 5 business days of purchase. An adult signature is required for receipt of all packages for insurance purposes. Expedited shipping is available at an additional cost. We are also happy to hand deliver your purchase in Manhattan or you may pick it up at our showroom.

Returns must be sent overnight or by priority international delivery, fully insured and paid for by the customer. A restocking fee may apply. Watches must be returned in the same condition as initially shipped.

We welcome international buyers, please contact us prior to purchase for additional details on shipping and payment options.