Two Premium Microbrands

Since you seem to be based in Chicago: why not check out the O&O in person? They may also both be at the Windup Watch Fair in Chicago next weekend!

First I’ve heard of O&O. Now the Olmsted is on my list!

You have an awesome opportunity to see and handle both next weekend at the Windup Watch fair. If you are In Chicago, you should certainly take a look.

Both are good brands as an owner of both, let me try to answer your questions:

How the bracelets differ? Monta makes the best bracelet of perhaps any micro brand and I would argue better than the likes of Omega and Grand Seiko. It is their bread and butter

Does one look larger or smaller than the other on your wrist? These two wear about the same size wise.

Does one feel more expensive than the other? Because of the bracelet alone, Monta feels more substantial.

Which one looks better on straps? Depends on your color way choice. Both look great on numerous strap options

And most importantly… which should I waste my time lusting over for the next two weeks? Both. Again, go to Windup, you will not regret it.

I’m definitely planning on going to windup, I’ve been looking at both for a while so it’ll be great to compare them in person. Thank you for the information on the Monta’s bracelet. I noticed you compared the it to Grand Seiko and Omega, is there a mainstream brand that you would say Monta’s overall quality is comparable to? I’ve heard comparisons to Tudor before and I was wondering how accurate they were.

As far as mainstream, Tudor is the most used for a lot of reasons; similarities in the style of the line up and cases being the main two. I would say they are much of the way there, but Tudor wins overall because of movement and small details, however, Monta uses very reliable and serviceable movements, so some may prefer that.

I have the O&O Humboldt, and I will be the first to say that Chase and the rest of the team at O&O are super nice and as a former Chicago resident who lived not far from Humboldt Park, I am always rooting for them and look forward to what they do. Their custom 4 star rotor really hits home from a Chicago Pride perspective. While the watch is awesome, I immediately removed the bracelet and will likely never put it back on. It was their first go at a bracelet and it was on par with some entry Seiko’s. I am positive they have made changes since, so do not hold my experience from 4 or 5 years ago against them today, which is why I encourage you to try some on, or heck, save a few bucks and opt for a nice strap.

As far as mainstream, Tudor is the most used for a lot of reasons; similarities in the style of the line up and cases being the main two. I would say they are much of the way there, but Tudor wins overall because of movement and small details, however, Monta uses very reliable and serviceable movements, so some may prefer that.

I have the O&O Humboldt, and I will be the first to say that Chase and the rest of the team at O&O are super nice and as a former Chicago resident who lived not far from Humboldt Park, I am always rooting for them and look forward to what they do. Their custom 4 star rotor really hits home from a Chicago Pride perspective. While the watch is awesome, I immediately removed the bracelet and will likely never put it back on. It was their first go at a bracelet and it was on par with some entry Seiko’s. I am positive they have made changes since, so do not hold my experience from 4 or 5 years ago against them today, which is why I encourage you to try some on, or heck, save a few bucks and opt for a nice strap.

This post is so great because I am an owner, lover, and promoter of both these brands as well. I bought my first Monta, a Noble, right after graduating college as my first “nice” watch. It has not disappointed in the slightest either. It’s such a fantastic every day, do anything type of watch. The way it feels, looks, wears, and sits on wrist far outweighs its price point in my eyes. I have handled many many watches over the years of learning and collecting watches, and Monta really has nailed the quality game. I own both my Noble and an Ocean King that are two of my all time favorite watches, and will likely never be sold off.

On the Oak & Oscar side, I do not own Olmstead, but I do own a Humboldt GMT in the white/orange color way. I first found O&O from an instagram post years ago when they were brand new. Lusted over them for a while before finally finding the right time to buy one new. Just like Monta, O&O does a fantastic job in the quality department, original designs, presentation, fit, and finish.

Where both brands have really found their stride is in being watch manufacturers that are owned, operated, and run by watch nerds, for watch nerds. Customer service with both is EXCELLENT too!! I felt like an owner of my O&O before I even hit purchase thanks to Chase and the team working with me on bracelet sizing/straps.

I’m also a STL native, so I got to go to Monta HQ and pick up my watch personally from Justin & Mike.

My apologies for going on and on here, and I’m not sure if I’ve really helped or not, but the best advice I can give is to try both on at Wind up. Which ever you decide works for you best will be incredible, and you literally cannot go wrong. I guess it really comes down to what fits your lifestyle better. The O&O, in my opinion, is more of the adventurous, less polish and frills, do anything type of piece.

The Monta, while still VERY durable and well built, is going to clean up a little nicer. It’s a touch more versatile where it can go adventuring with you, and still look at home in a suit.

Thanks for the post here and can’t wait to see what you decide on! Whichever gets passed the first time around will likely come in later on… at least that’s what happened for me lol

Cheers!!

Thank you for taking the time to write such a thorough answer, it’s great to hear from people who own both watches. Have you found that you reach for one more often than the other? And if so, which one?

Thank you for making the post! I relish any chance I get to talk about both these brands haha and my apologies if my response was too long earlier too 🤣

I think for me, I wear them all in a rotation that is fairly equal. Kind of like I said in my first post, the watches both fit different mission profiles for me so to speak. My Noble is my dressier watch of the group, but it also has come on many vacations and trips with me due to its GADA type nature, and versatility to any environment.

My Humboldt is my more adventurous travel watch/everyday wear with basically anything piece.

I like to think I wear both as equally as possible, but due to my job being around magnets fairly often, I probably gravitate to my Humboldt a little more often due to the faraday cage around the movement.

I also split a lot of time with my Ocean King. Out of all my watches the Ocean King arguably fits me the best, and that Monta bracelet is truly superb.

Thank you for making the post! I relish any chance I get to talk about both these brands haha and my apologies if my response was too long earlier too 🤣

I think for me, I wear them all in a rotation that is fairly equal. Kind of like I said in my first post, the watches both fit different mission profiles for me so to speak. My Noble is my dressier watch of the group, but it also has come on many vacations and trips with me due to its GADA type nature, and versatility to any environment.

My Humboldt is my more adventurous travel watch/everyday wear with basically anything piece.

I like to think I wear both as equally as possible, but due to my job being around magnets fairly often, I probably gravitate to my Humboldt a little more often due to the faraday cage around the movement.

I also split a lot of time with my Ocean King. Out of all my watches the Ocean King arguably fits me the best, and that Monta bracelet is truly superb.

Haven’t gotten to try an Olmstead on yet, but as an owner of the Humboldt GMT, can most definitely confirm that their bracelet is fantastic! Huge fan of OTF adjustable clasps here, and Monta and O&O both have great offerings here.

Can also confirm that O&O makes killer straps too!!

Good to know, my Humboldt was the gen 1 bracelet.

The Humboldt with the 12hr bezel is a watch I would really love to find and add to my collection tbh. The GMT is great don’t get me wrong but boy am I a true sucker for 12hr bezels lol

Yeah, it’s a keeper in the collection.