Monta Triumph 19
Monta credits the Triumph with being the watch that launched the brand to the next level after the release of the first generation Oceanking. A departure from the dive watch, the Triumph was meant to be a simple yet fully functional field watch.
Simplicity can come in many forms when it comes to watches, from a minimalistic dial layout that is sparse save for all the necessary timekeeping information like the Junghans Max Bill to organized dial layouts like the Omega Speedmaster. The Triumph falls somewhere in between. This is the third Monta I have reviewed, and it might be the best one yet.
Monta focuses heavily on comfort and ergonomics when it comes to their overall watch design. This is evident immediately when you put the Triumph on. Those familiar with the brand and any of their watches already know how excellent the bracelet is and I will cover it in more detail later. The comfort of the Triumph goes well beyond the bracelet.
At only 9.6mm thick, the Triumph blends seamlessly with the wearer’s wrist yet still packs the heft one would want in a tool watch. I’ve been giving more credence to thin watches and the design that goes into them. Monta managed to capture the rugged elegance of field watches from days gone by like the original Hamilton Khakis and brought it into the modern era while keeping it thin and unobtrusive.
The overall case shape and look of the Triumph on-wrist is an interesting one. The case is 38.5mm wide and the lug width is 20mm but looking at the watch straight on, you might not think that is the case. The lugs start to protrude almost at the center of the case, giving them a thicker appearance and the watch a more geometric look. There are no pointy, thin lugs here; these are made to look sturdy and robust.
Thankfully, this does not detract from how the watch looks and feels on the wrist. Because it is so thin, it doesn’t feel like a slab and wears very well despite the case being rather flat. The numerous polished beveled surfaces also assist in breaking up the lines of the case, creating a graceful on-wrist presence.
Readability is effortless with the Triumph. The broad sword hands, thick markers, and clear printed numerals all make for a watch that is easy to read at a glance. Contrasting colors and surfaces are balanced which also aids in readability.
Of all the dial variants available for the Monta Triumph, the gray sunburst dial is probably the most striking. Gray sunburst dials are not common, especially on field-style watches. The shade of gray on the Triumph is executed perfectly. It is not distracting and does not affect readability.
Applied markers are present at 3, 6, and 12 o’clock with the 12 o’clock marker being thicker and more prominent than the others. This marker is easily identifiable in the dark thanks to the heavy lume application.
Almost all the numerals are printed on the dial except for the 6, which was removed to make room for the date window. The markers, both printed and applied, slightly cut into the rehaut, giving additional depth to the dial.
Monta uses the same handset on all their watches. The broad sword hands are both legible and nicely finished.
There is no denying that Monta provides best-in-class case finishing, especially at their price point. The brushing, polishing, and transitions between the two are all flawless. The way these surfaces play with the light is a true joy to behold and it is a true statement when I say pictures don’t do it justice.
One of my favorite things about the Triumph is the difference in brushing directions depending on where it is applied. Straight, linear brushing is present on the sides of the case and top of the lugs. This brushing carries over seamlessly to the bracelet. The bezel is radially brushed, complementing the sunburst pattern on the dial. As with all things Monta, it is this attention to detail that completes the overlook fantastic look of the Triumph.
The screw-in caseback houses the Monta caliber M-22, which is a modified Sellita SW300. Monta does not COSC-certify these movements, but all Monta watches I reviewed have had excellent accuracy.
The crown action on the Triumph is excellent. It screws and winds smoothly. The crown is a tad small for my tastes. Because of the slight taper on the crown, I found it hard to grip at times. Adding a millimeter or two to the overall width of the crown would be a welcome adjustment.
If you’ve read any of my other Monta reviews, you already know about my affinity for their bracelet. The bracelet on the Triumph is the same one used on the Atlas and the Oceanking (with the latter having a quick micro-adjustment feature).
The bracelet is finished just as well as the case with a nice grain pattern to the brushing and polished chamfers on every link. The links fully articulate, allowing the bracelet to perfectly drape around the wrist for a comfortable fit.
I was able to experience one of Monta’s fitted leather straps with the Triumph. The brown leather strap has curved and fitted ends that fit the case of the Triumph (and also fit Monta’s other watches). The leather was pliable out of the box and conformed well to my wrist without a lengthy break-in period. The curved ends also allow for a seamless look as it meets the case of the watch. Monta charges a premium for this strap but it is not lacking in quality for the price point.
Monta has yet to disappoint me. They are one of the few brands that manage to maintain quality, design cues, and a wow factor across all their releases. Despite being one of the brand’s earlier releases, the Triumph doesn’t feel like an early release, it looks and feels like a watch that was developed yesterday and contains all the latest and greatest from the brand.
With that said, I would challenge Monta to take a bigger risk in one of their future releases. There is certainly merit in maintaining a theme and design language with their watches, but I would like to see them break from their own mold a little.
This doesn’t take away from the fact that the Triumph is an excellent watch. It certainly isn’t an affordable watch for most budgets; however, it is a watch that has great value. You get what you pay for and much more when it comes to the Triumph.
| Case Width | 38.5mm | Thickness | 9.6mm |
| Lug-to-lug Height | 47.5mm | Lug Width | 20mm |
| Crystal | Flat Sapphire | Strap | Bracelet |
| Water Resistance | 150 meters | Lume | Super-LumiNova® BGW9 |
| Movement | MONTA CALIBER M-22/Sellita SW300 | Price | $1,550 |
Check out the Monta website
Bringing light to an aspect of horology that is often overlooked
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