Introducing the Accessible Montoir Dive Watch

You’re probably not familiar with Montoir Watches, but the new microbrand is releasing a stylish and capable dive watch on Kickstarter with multiple colour options and affordable prices. Although the brand is based in the US, the new Montoir Dive Watch is Swiss-made with a vintage-inspired (1960s) aesthetic. The case is well-sized, the specs are solid for serious divers and the automatic movement is well-proven. As with most Kickstarter launches, there will be different price tiers based on how early you order, so significant discounts can be had over the final retail price. 

The brushed stainless steel case of the Montoir Dive Watch is contemporary yet very wearable at 40.5mm in diameter and 11.5mm in height. The 120-click unidirectional rotating bezel has a black insert with a detailed 60-minute scale, although the blue dial variant has a matching blue insert. A double-domed sapphire crystal protects the dial, and the solid caseback is embossed with a vintage diving helmet. The signed crown screws down and is a bit oversized for easy use, while the water-resistance rating is 200 metres. The watches are fitted with 20mm tropic-style recycled FKM rubber straps that match the dial colours, although the white dial has a black strap. They also feature quick-release levers for tool-free changes. 

The dials have a lightly sandblasted finish and come in five colours – black, blue, polar white, cyan and orange. As mentioned, the straps match the dials (excluding white) and the blue dial has a matching bezel insert. The large indices are very legible and coated with Super-LumiNova BGW9, and the hour and minute hands have Super-LumiNova inserts. A detailed minutes/seconds track spans the outermost perimeter. This is a time-only diver without a date, which maintains the retro vibe. 

Powering the Montoir Diver is a Sellita SW200-1 automatic, an alternative to ETA’s 2824-2. It has 26 jewels, beats at 28,800vph (4Hz) and features a 38-hour power reserve. Functions include central hours, minutes and hacking seconds with a date complication, although the latter isn’t used for the collection. Average accuracy is rated at +/-12 seconds per day.

The new Montoir Dive Watch collection is now available on Kickstarter. The Super Early Bird price is USD 375 and is limited to 50 watches, while the next Early Bird price is USD 399 and is limited to 150 watches. The standard Kickstarter price is USD 435, while the final retail price will be USD 750. Additional perks with early orders include a free strap and an extended warranty. For more information and to place an order, please visit the dedicated Kickstarter page or montoirwatches.com. 

Sponsored post: This article is sponsored by Montoir Watches. However, it reflects the writer’s opinion and has been written according to MONOCHROME’s editorial policy.