Disclaimer: All watches were reviewed using an unbiased and technical process with the end user in mind. The company has no affiliation with SBWC. The author is an ambassador for the Monterey Watch Company and the watchmaker was notified this will be an unbiased critical review of all aspects of the timepieces without any monetary compensation.
Introduction
The year was 2019, a cold and blustery day, and out of all the stupid ideas in my life, paddling out to surf cold water alone with a nine-month pregnant wife at home was at the top of the list. Although I feel the most alive when surfing cold water and horrid conditions, on this day I blew out my eardrum from a perfect hit from the lip of a wave to the ear, I lost my board as my leash broke, and I couldn’t paddle without puking. As I floated out to sea, I inflated my wetsuit by blowing air down the neck and used my Apple Watch Ultra to call for help. EMS arrived via jet ski and my poor wife waited on the shore. I was fine, I threw up on the beach, my board was later found by a shrimp boat (a story for another day), and my watch died… it had had enough.
Fast forward, a few months later I was looking through my grandfather’s war chest (WWII, Martin B26 Cpt. 320th, 443rd) and found his old A11 watch. I was more fascinated with the history and then the memories of my late grandfather. So, I did what any good ADHD hobbyist would do… I searched North Carolina watchmakers and sent the owner of Monterey a letter as long as this review. After his, what I assume to be a painstaking attempt, to read my verbose and zealous email, we decided to chat over the phone. I was looking for my first manual watch that could withstand the insanity of landing 8 feet from the top of a wave into sand that I could also take to the gym and use for timing (I didn’t know what a bezel was mind you), and could wear to the upcoming father-daughter dance. We decided the blacktip standard would be the call. To make this more of a tool watch/vintage inspired, he threw on a hashed bezel.
The Company
The Monterey Watch Company, based in Swannanoa, NC, specializes in high-quality, handcrafted timepieces. Founded by a local watch enthusiast, the brand focuses on blending classic design with modern functionality. Known for its precision and attention to detail, Monterey Watch Company creates watches that appeal to those seeking durability and style with the Blacktip Standard and EBC at the top of my personal list. Monterey is open with all customers that final assembly is in-house, and materials, much like almost every company, are globally sourced. The owner, Tim Hermes, is not your average small business owner. Tim will not brag about his time as an apprentice time as an apprentice, his love for other brands, the art and allure of horology. He takes extra time to regulate every watch and completes the final QC in house. One company, by one person, hand-signed cards, and limited warranty. Lastly Monterey Watch Company, “has never failed their 12-hour promise-to-reply via call, text, or email to their customers. It is important to feel the zeal and ethos behind the company before diving into the review- so now, I will focus on my watch “one watch for everything”- the Blacktip Standard.
The Blacktip Standard
Specifications:
- Case Diameter: 40mm
- Case Height: 12mm
- Movement: NH35A Automatic Movement with in-house regulation for precision
- Water Resistance: 100 meters (330 feet) – suitable for swimming and light watersports
- Dial: Luminous dial with markers for readability in low light, Swiss C3 Lume
- Crystal: Scratch-resistant sapphire crystal for enhanced durability
- Bezel: Unidirectional ceramic bezel with ceramic insert (C3 applied)
- Date Window: Available with or without magnification Cyclops.
- Hands: Skeleton-style handset with applied C3 Lume
- Strap: Oyster-style stainless steel bracelet with adjustable clasp
First Impressions: Surfing, Date Night, and Work
The adjustable clasp was comfortable and after some slight tweaking, it felt as if I wasn’t wearing anything on my wrist, and with surfing that is incredibly important. My mission here was to see if I could have one watch, that looked nicer than I expected to wear, that I could beat to hell, and it keep ticking. That it did. I put ten two-hour surf sessions before checking and I was still holding +/- 6 seconds, the bezel was tight, with no wobble, and all it needed was to screw down the crown and let it sit in some warm water for an hour and all sand or grit came loose and I was off to work.
Work & Dress
The Bezel: The hashed inserts played a big role in my love of this watch, and I now have one with a countdown bezel, yet the inserts remained functional for counting respiration, heartrate, and for my own exercise and meditation. This was something I thought I wouldn’t find outside of a smart watch- remember, I knew and still know very little. The bezel is not only crisp but is 120-click unidirectional with the perfect audible click for each turn.
Sapphire Crystal: The flat sapphire crystal is legible in low light and high-noon, the personal preference for this crystal design is twofold- astigmatism and living near the ocean. Although AR coating is often my preference, I was shocked at the legibility and minimal reflection of the sapphire. This is accomplished by what may be my new favorite combination- a matte black dial, and polished case. I am not an expert, but I have kept log- over 20 nautical miles in coastal waters and over 30 hours of surfing in the Atlantic Ocean, and countless hours under the florescent lights of a hospital hallway.
The Bracelet: The stainless steel has mild polish, somewhere between brushed and polished, not enough to scream “look at me” – the balance of a tool watch and luxury. The subtle black dial not only pairs well with navy, charcoal, or black suits, but fits perfect with the only suit a man should wear- the kilt. This watch has been worn in full regalia during the Highland Games, to funerals of loved ones, Daddy-Daughter dances, and a wedding or two! At the time of this review Monterey also released a jubilee bracelet.
Movement: The Blacktip is running an NH35 automatic movement considered the “Toyota of movements”- in general, it’s a workhorse. Currently my watch is running approximately +/- 6 seconds, and this has to do with the in-house regulation I mentioned. I have yet to duplicate this level of accuracy with some of my favorite SW200-1 and Miyota 9025 watches, not saying they can’t, I just personally haven’t seen it yet. If I start to get some weird skipping, insane inaccuracy, or blatant failure I know I will get a response from Monterey within 12 hours and get it sorted. Lastly, as someone who transitions form salt water to work, medical emergencies to highland games, from the spontaneous date night to the solitude of coffee and a book, this watch is my “one watch for it all.”
Final Thoughts:
When you pair unparalleled customer service, stainless steel, sapphire crystal, screw-down crown, and in-house regulated NH35 movement, and plenty of C3 Lume, what’s not to love! The owner remains steadfast to completing his mission of “making awesome affordable”- the MSRP is $259.00. The only problem is when you think you have found that one watch to rule them all, Monterey releases three different iterations of the Blacktip along with a GMT, fixed bezel EBC, chronograph, and a Flieger.
Author:
Surfer, father, adventurer, procurer of memories, time-stopping moments, a friend, and a medical professional.
P.S.
Thanks for taking your time to read my ramblings, if you take one thing away from this- I use watches as they were meant to be used. Writing this brought fond memories of my grandfather and if you have gotten this far in the article, take a moment with me to remember those before us. To you, Cpt. Hudspeth, fair winds and following seas.
-DT