They say two is one and one is none. That’s how I’ve often felt about sports watches in my collection. I’m truly blessed to have a well-rounded collection of sports watches but…that doesn’t always scratch the itch. Particularly when it comes to Monta, I’ve always coveted 1-2 models at a time (and have owned several at the same time). Well, they’re certainly not helping my watch “itch” with their latest Triumph V2.
If you’ve been following Monta since their early days, you’ll know that the OG Triumph wasn’t just any launch, it was the watch that set the tone for everything that came after. Back in 2017, the Triumph put Monta on the map, proving that this small independent out of St. Louis could hold its own against the big brands in the industry. I bought my own Triumph a few years ago after it had been calling my name for some time, and was lucky enough that Mike and Justin (the brand’s founders) let me customize mine with a polished bezel instead of the standard brushed one. Did my little experiment inspire them to reinvent the Triumph? jk, I’m not that influential, but it did add just enough luxury to the otherwise rugged design that I was hoping for. And it’s been fun to see them lean further into that direction with this new version.
Earlier this year in Geneva, Zach Kazan and I had the chance to sit down with Monta’s co-founder, Mike DiMartini, who pulled a few early Triumph concept samples out on his laptop to show us. These were rough mock-ups but it was clear that Mike was already thinking about how to evolve the model that started it all. Seeing those early ideas in person had both of us intrigued to find out what direction the next Triumph would take, and now that it’s here, it feels like the full vision realized.
The new Triumph V2 comes in with a 40mm case, up slightly from the original’s 38.5mm, but folks will be happy to note the 47mm lug-to-lug that keeps it right in that modern sweet spot for most wrists (mine are 6.5 inches for reference). The size bump is subtle but noticeable in the best way. Especially because those bold applied “9” and “3” numerals really benefit from the extra real estate on the dial. On the wrist, it feels more balanced, more legible, and somehow more confident.
I’ve always said that finishing is one of Monta’s strong suits, and this version takes it up another notch. The brushed 316L steel has a fine grain that feels crisp and consistent throughout, while the polished bezel adds just enough flash to catch the light without drifting into dress-watch territory. I think the thing that really strikes me on the case is the newly added crown guards. It’s a nice detail that gives the watch more presence and somehow takes it from being more of a field watch, to an all-rounder sports watch. The dial itself is a matte black, perfectly fitting to the true field watch tradition. Monta’s attention to legibility remains front and center with new bold white printing, glossy applied markers, and minimal text, resulting in a dial that’s easy to read at a glance. The numerals are also hand-drawn by Monta’s design team, adding just a little character back to the dial. I personally find the new look much easier to read at a glance than my V1 Triumph, even though I do agree a bit of that old Monta personality might be missing.
Let’s also address the elephant in the room… it’s impossible not to acknowledge the Explorer comparison. Monta has never really shied away from that comparison, and honestly, that’s always been part of the draw in my mind. There simply aren’t many modern Explorer-style watches in this mid-luxury range right now. Especially with this finishing. Rolex has kind of priced and positioned the Explorer into hard-to-get territory, and as someone who’s owned both a modern Rolex and a Triumph, my Triumph stayed in the collection while the Rolex did not. Obviously the Rolex is crazy good, but it felt silly to me to wear a tool watch that I was babying because of its price-point.
Powering the Triumph is the Monta Caliber M-22, based on the Sellita SW300, a workhorse movement that’s proven reliable across Monta’s lineup. It beats at 4Hz and offers a solid 56-hour power reserve. My original Triumph has always run within a few seconds per day, and I’d hope for the same performance here. You can also still view the movement just like the previous Triumph via the caseback.
The bracelet, as always with Monta, is a standout. It has the fully articulated 316L brushed links that Monta fans have come to love. It’s very comfortable, precise, and finished to a level that feels well above its price tag. The newer clasp design is a huge upgrade compared to my V1. Smooth and crisp closer action. The V2 is 10.7mm thick, it slides easily under a cuff (if that’s your jam) but still has enough presence to feel substantial. I wore mine around my office for the few days I had it and found it pretty comfortable.
Let’s talk price. The new Triumph is available for pre-order at $1,550 for the first 100 collectors, with full retail set at $1,850 when deliveries begin in January 2026. It’s hard to argue with the value proposition and as a longtime Monta owner, it makes me happy to see them offering an early-bird pricing structure to the hard-core fans.
As someone who’s owned Montas for years, it’s interesting to see the direction they’re heading. While I do feel a slight mourning for that old Monta DNA, the brand seems to know exactly who they are and who their audience is and it’s hard to fault them for that. I feel like the Triumph V2 has morphed from field watch to now a truly GADA (go anywhere do anything) watch that will likely sell to a broader audience, especially those who lust after an Explorer but perhaps don’t want to put the same amount of change down. While this feels like a step up from the previous gen, it certainly still feels like it was built to be used and abused. The upgrades to not only the legibility, but the refined case, bracelet, and clasp are welcome changes in my mind, even if it is more reminiscent of a Rolex. Monta
Kat Shoulders
2025-10-16 19:00:00