Monta vs. Oak & Oscar: My Conclusion
At Windup Watch Fair, I was able to see both of the watches I had been considering: the Monta Noble and the Oak & Oscar Olmsted.
(I forgot to take a picture of the O&O)
Both felt great in person but, for me, the Noble was by far the nicer watch.
Reasons
The Noble presented like a more expensive watch due to its polishing.
The Noble’s bracelet and clasp both felt nicer to me.
The dial of the Olmsted felt almost flat in comparison to the Noble.
The Noble’s color was too good.
Overall, both are excellent watches. For me the Noble is better but that’s not to say the Olmsted is a bad watch, they both have their pros and cons.
Have you gotten a chance to go to Windup? If so, how was your time?
Also, should I make a post breaking down all of the watches I saw at Windup Chicago?
I love food, football, and watches.
Thanks for comparing these! I would love a series of posts breaking down the watches you got to handle.
Thanks for comparing these! I would love a series of posts breaking down the watches you got to handle.
Sounds good, I definitely will then!
I went to WindUp too on Friday. It was cool! Didn’t feel compelled to buy anything in the moment. I was happy to be one of the first people get $50 from Marc though at the Islander booth. I was really keen to check out Dufrane because of the specs, but didn’t feel compelled to buy it once I got to handle one.
Had a feeling this would be the conclusion. Glad you got to handle both and came back to the community to share.
Had a feeling this would be the conclusion. Glad you got to handle both and came back to the community to share.
Thank you again for all the help earlier, it made it easier to indentify different details I otherwise wouldn’t have looked for.
I went to WindUp too on Friday. It was cool! Didn’t feel compelled to buy anything in the moment. I was happy to be one of the first people get $50 from Marc though at the Islander booth. I was really keen to check out Dufrane because of the specs, but didn’t feel compelled to buy it once I got to handle one.
Congrats on the 50 bucks. Overall, which brand at WindUp stood out the most to you?
Congrats on the 50 bucks. Overall, which brand at WindUp stood out the most to you?
On my short list to check out was Farer, Laco, and Formex. I think what stood out the most to me was a company I had never heard of named Dryden.
https://drydenwatchco.com/collections/dryden-heartlander-automatic-field-watch-collection/products/dryden-heartlander-automatic-field-watch-blue-crimson
I lingered the most looking at this watch and the dial. Kinda reminds me of the Longines Spirit.
Picked up this Islander Calabro at Wind Up today. Really good time!
I have not been there, but I agree the Noble is the better looking watch. The Oak & Oscar looks like a cheap Daniel Wellington dresswatch.
St. Louis designed watch vs. Chicago designed watch.
The blues vs. blackhawks of horology?
I was at Wind Up on Friday. The watch that made it to my want list is the Mühle Glashutte Rescue Timer Lumen M1-41-08-MB. I was afraid that it would would wear large but it doesn’t at all. It’s very cool and very comfortable.
If I were buying at the show, it would have been this Farer. Sometimes it’s red but mostly it looks dark brown or black. Then it catches the right light and comes alive. But they weren’t selling this at the show.
Honestly, my eyes glazed over at the Oak and Oscar table and I moved on relatively quickly. I didn’t see anything I was remotely interested in. My apologies to O&O.
Monta seems cool though and I may revisit them later.
My wife bought two watches there, an Islander and a Brew.
I'd love to see your WindUp Chicago pix. The display tables at WindUp San Francisco were often so packed this year that I just wanted to hit it and quit it. Pure cacophony!
Picked up this Islander Calabro at Wind Up today. Really good time!
I'm a fan of World Time GMT's and the 6 o'clock date window is the way to go. Sweet pick up!
Was there Friday as well. I was looking forward to that show so much, but to be honest, it felt a little flat. Completely agree that Monta along with two or three others stood out, and much of the rest was 'Meh'.
Itay Noy was hands down the most interesting and perhaps 'special' watchmaker there in my most humble opinion. His watches are flat out special.
A few of the current darlings of the industry were underwhelming in the metal.
St. Louis designed watch vs. Chicago designed watch.
The blues vs. blackhawks of horology?
Maybe 😂? I’m more of a football guy myself so I’m not quite sure.
I was at Wind Up on Friday. The watch that made it to my want list is the Mühle Glashutte Rescue Timer Lumen M1-41-08-MB. I was afraid that it would would wear large but it doesn’t at all. It’s very cool and very comfortable.
If I were buying at the show, it would have been this Farer. Sometimes it’s red but mostly it looks dark brown or black. Then it catches the right light and comes alive. But they weren’t selling this at the show.
Honestly, my eyes glazed over at the Oak and Oscar table and I moved on relatively quickly. I didn’t see anything I was remotely interested in. My apologies to O&O.
Monta seems cool though and I may revisit them later.
My wife bought two watches there, an Islander and a Brew.
I loved that Farer, the dial was unlinke anything else I’ve seen. Also, Your wife has good taste, I thought Brew was amazing.
I'd love to see your WindUp Chicago pix. The display tables at WindUp San Francisco were often so packed this year that I just wanted to hit it and quit it. Pure cacophony!
Great! Will do then.
Was there Friday as well. I was looking forward to that show so much, but to be honest, it felt a little flat. Completely agree that Monta along with two or three others stood out, and much of the rest was 'Meh'.
Itay Noy was hands down the most interesting and perhaps 'special' watchmaker there in my most humble opinion. His watches are flat out special.
A few of the current darlings of the industry were underwhelming in the metal.
I don’t think I got a chance to see Itay Noy, do you have any pictures of them?
Congrats on your choice! Both are incredible pieces, but you absolutely couldn’t go wrong with a Noble. My first “nice” watch gift to myself and will always be a keeper for me. Enjoy it in great health for many years to come man 🤘🏼
I have the Monta Triumph and the Oak & Oscar Olmstead. I much prefer the Triumph. Mostly it is due to its sizing. It fits perfectly. As far as the Noble, the dial is a little under-whelming. I feel the same about the Monta Atlas. The Olmstead has a lot going for it in the sandwich dial. It is truly a tough choice as they are both fantastic watches.
I have the Monta Triumph and the Oak & Oscar Olmstead. I much prefer the Triumph. Mostly it is due to its sizing. It fits perfectly. As far as the Noble, the dial is a little under-whelming. I feel the same about the Monta Atlas. The Olmstead has a lot going for it in the sandwich dial. It is truly a tough choice as they are both fantastic watches.
Hi @Case563, I once had the Olmsted and it was a perfect fit for my wrist. I'm now interested in Monta, but haven't been able to try one. How would you compare the size of the two? How much larger does the Triumph wear than the Olmsted? FYI I have a 6.5" wrist but prefer smaller watches. The Sinn 556 and Olmsted, for example, fit me perfectly.
The Triumph wears smaller and thinner. It is more comfortable (the bracelet helps with that). It visually is a bit more larger because the case is not as rounded at the libs and the Olmsted.
@Case563 That's interesting! I've typically heard that the Monta wears significantly larger (more like a 39-40mm) due to the long lugs. Thanks for the insight!