Micro Tournament Round 1 Day 2: Monta Vs. So Labs
Rules:
• Voting is based on the overall brand, not the individual model or sample photo.
• There are no rules on how you should choose, but you are welcome to civilly debate quality, value, heritage, etc.
• Voters are encouraged to look at the hashtags for threads on individual brands or visit their sites.
• Poll closes apx 11PM ET 3/15.
• Be respectful of all the brands and members, even if the vote does not go your way. This is meant to be lighthearted fun to raise awareness of 64 microbrands.
• Ties will go to the brand with the most unique user-owned photos of their watch on this thread.
Good luck and have fun!
All posts and results will be tracked under #microtournament
23 comments
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Watch enthusiast who insists on the next watch being the last.
Northeast, US
Member since
Last active: 38 min ago
6.50” / 16.51 cm
Again I didn't know either brands but I have to go for the fun side of So Labs on this one, even if Monta quality looks amazing for the price, and with a in house mouvement (?)
All these micro brand competitions are going to be brutal on my wallet 😂
So Labs looks fresh and bit toylike (similar to Swatch). However, I think they are better in terms of quality. So Labs for fresh and fun design
These are apples and oranges. I love Monta for the quality and the way they position themselves in a tight market. So labs for the fun and originality. It’s a funky chicken.
Seeing how I happen to be wearing my Monta today, I will vote for them. Honestly, my Monta Noble might be my favorite watch in my collection. It even gets more wrist time then my Seamaster.
Again I didn't know either brands but I have to go for the fun side of So Labs on this one, even if Monta quality looks amazing for the price, and with a in house mouvement (?)
Fwiw it's not an in house movement, it's generally a sellita with a custom rotor that they've rebranded and hidden with marketing terminology. I'm definitely going so labs for the fun but also for the honesty.
I get why people would vote SoLabs here given the design, but I doubt anyone who has bought, felt or tried on a Monta would go that route. Monta is a kick ass watch for the price.
I’m voting for So Labs, this tournament is about discovery and it’s just TOO EASY to vote for the brands I’ve already heard of and or have experience with. C’mon people let’s have some fun don’t just choose the easy go-to!!
Voting for So Labs here! Love discovering new brands through this tourney. So fun! (and damaging to my wallet)
I love this dialogue. While I love the work Monta does (absolutely awesome watches) many folks want something new, different. Hard to beat So Labs in that regard. Good luck to both brands. Really tough choice.
Seeing how I happen to be wearing my Monta today, I will vote for them. Honestly, my Monta Noble might be my favorite watch in my collection. It even gets more wrist time then my Seamaster.
Do you have a picture? 😊
Fwiw it's not an in house movement, it's generally a sellita with a custom rotor that they've rebranded and hidden with marketing terminology. I'm definitely going so labs for the fun but also for the honesty.
Thanks for clearing that up 👌🏻
Monta by a landslide. So Labs are interesting and definitely a niche but Monta puts out such a good product. My new Skyquest has barely left my wrist since December.
Some micro brands are willing to be daring and bring playful or novel watch designs to market. So Labs seems to be doing that. They're not my cup o' tea, but I give them credit for throwing some spice on the market.
Many of Monta's offerings seem derivative and careful.
This is a really tough one for me. I love the unique So Labs design, but would I actually wear it? Probably not. So, which one do I vote for? I think I'll have to give it to So Labs for being creative even though the Monta is probably a better watch.
Some micro brands are willing to be daring and bring playful or novel watch designs to market. So Labs seems to be doing that. They're not my cup o' tea, but I give them credit for throwing some spice on the market.
Many of Monta's offerings seem derivative and careful.
Admittedly, Monta's designs aren't exploratory. They put their R&D and money into things that are really more visible when holding the watch. I have 11 watches in my collection and the Monta is easily the most wearable, comfortable watch I own. It's also every bit as well finished as my Omega. But I don't disagree their designs are fairly stoic and not for everyone.
I feel like these are just two totally different approaches. To each their own but I am going Monta first cause I am just a traditional stick in the mud.
Again I didn't know either brands but I have to go for the fun side of So Labs on this one, even if Monta quality looks amazing for the price, and with a in house mouvement (?)
No inhouse, Monta labels the ETS/Sellita (mostly SW) movements they use as the "M-xx". Regardless, they are adjusted to +/-5spd, and adjusted movements are rare in the microbrand space. I'm a fan, excellent watches and I enjoy my Triumph silver dial.
Do you have a picture? 😊
My Nobel on a blue Ali Express Aquaterra style rubber strap for the summer (that may never come to Fargo)
Poll closed for this matchup. Congratulations to Monta.
I get why people would vote SoLabs here given the design, but I doubt anyone who has bought, felt or tried on a Monta would go that route. Monta is a kick ass watch for the price.
Agreed Monta is good quality for the price (well it was a few price increases ago; I'd argue others put up similar value now) but, I dunno. I've spent time with both but I bought the solabs.
First Vote where i had to check out a contender. Normally i vote pretty fast, but since i got absolutely no positive (or negative) views on Monta (even though i know them since years), i had to check out So Labs. But boy those look like Swatch Fun models ...... but for $1000+
LOL
Easy vote for Monta