What Makes Monta's New Blue Oceanking So Good

Earlier this month, Monta dropped a new version of their flagship Oceanking diver. It features a blue dial paired with a matching aluminum bezel insert—a departure from the ceramic bezel insert found on the third-generation Oceanking launched back in October 2023. I’ve had hands-on experience with both, and this new blue version might just be my favorite watch Monta has ever made.

Quick note: I work for Everest, which is owned by the same folks behind Monta. The opinions here are entirely my own as a watch enthusiast.

What’s New: Aluminum Goes Blue

The new blue Oceanking is technically congruent with the black-dial ceramic-bezel Oceanking. It still measures 40.5mm in diameter, 48mm lug-to-lug, and 12mm thick, powered by Monta’s reliable automatic caliber M-22 (a Sellita SW300 made to Monta’s specifications). The bracelet and clasp remain excellent, with super-tight tolerances, easy six-point tool-free micro-adjustment, and nice rounded links (no arm-hair pulling). So, what sets this new release apart is solely the blue dial and aluminum bezel insert. But that one material change makes a significant difference—and it’s worth highlighting.

The Aluminum Difference

Ceramic has become a popular bezel material for dive watches in recent decades, and for good reason—it’s virtually scratch-proof and highly resistant to UV degradation and corrosion. Polished ceramic also offers a very modern, some might say flashier look than aluminum, which has been used on dive watch bezels for the better part of a century. Aluminum bezels offer a completely different experience, both visually and practically. The matte, often anodized surface looks a bit more utilitarian, and it can’t shatter upon impact like ceramic can. However, aluminum bezels will show scratches over time. To me, that’s a fair trade-off, and ultimately comes down to personal preference.

The blue Oceanking’s matte bezel lends it a subtle, less reflective appearance overall. The bezel feels more subdued, complementing the watch’s brushed finishing and balancing nicely with the polished elements: applied indices, chamfered lugs, signed crown, etc. It’s a visual harmony that I prefer to ceramic, but that’s for you to decide for yourself.

Wearing Experience

I love a blue diver. I think any setting fit for a dive watch is fit for a splash of color as well. Still, with the slim case profile and polished elements I mentioned earlier, this watch can effectively “dress up,” something most modern dive watches struggle to do.

On the wrist, the Oceanking in blue wears virtually the same as the black ceramic version, which is to say quite comfortably. The lug-to-lug measurement, what I consider the most important dimension for sizing a watch, is 47.4mm. The bracelet has a nice taper, even weight distribution, and the micro-adjustment lets you get the right fit without breaking out a tool kit. I’m officially spoiled by micro-adjust bracelets; it’s hard to live without one once you’ve tried it.

Monta’s Best Watch Yet?

I recognize my bias here, but even setting aside my professional ties, I genuinely think this is Monta’s best release to date. The blue aluminum bezel (with blue dial) version strikes a near-perfect balance: colorful enough to feel fun, capable enough to serve as a serious tool watch (300m water resistance, screw-down crown, and excellent bezel action), and refined enough to dress up when needed, thanks to its slim 12mm thickness and nice finishing.

At $2,550, the Oceanking sits in a competitive price range. Without drawing direct comparisons, I’ll simply say this: at this price, you’d be hard-pressed to find a diver with better finishing, fit, and overall quality. For fans of aluminum bezels, or anyone who appreciates a diver with real balance and personality, this Oceanking deserves a close look.

For more info, check out the product page on montawatch.com.