Monta · Atlas
Atlas GMT
The Monta Atlas GMT is a 38.5mm Swiss-made tool watch powered by the brand's in-house-branded M-23 automatic, offering a caller-style 24-hour GMT hand, date at 6 o'clock, and 150m water resistance in a 316L stainless steel case with sapphire exhibition caseback. Priced at $2,150 on a steel bracelet, it competes in the sub-$3,000 GMT segment across three dial variants — Charcoal, Opalin Silver, and Monta Blue.
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Water res.
Thick
Lug-to-lug
Overview
| Brand | Monta |
| Reference | 168CH00SB |
| Collection | Atlas |
| Category | GMT |
| Released | 2019 |
| Price guide | Premium · $1,300+ |
Full specification
Specs
Case & dial
| Diameter | 38.5 mm |
| Lug-to-lug | 47 mm |
| Thickness | 10.7 mm |
| Lug width | 20 mm |
| Water resistance | 150 m |
| Crystal | sapphire |
| Case material | stainless steel |
| Bezel | fixed, brushed radial/sunburst |
| Case back | exhibition |
Movement & furniture
| Type | Automatic |
| Caliber | Monta M-23 → |
| Functions | Date, GMT (24h hand) |
| Power reserve | 56 h |
| Jewels | 25 |
| Lume | Super-LumiNova BGW9 |
| Strap / bracelet | steel bracelet |
Bottom line
A well-finished, compact GMT that delivers genuine tool-watch credentials and bracelet quality well above its price class, though buyers who need an independently settable local-time (flyer-GMT) hand will need to look elsewhere.
Highlights
- 38.5mm / 47mm L2L — slim, versatile fit
- Caller GMT 24h hand + date
- M-23 auto, 56h power reserve
- Sapphire exhibition caseback
- 150m / screw-down crown & caseback
Who it's for
Wrists roughly 155–175mm who want a slim, dress-capable daily GMT that transitions from business to weekend travel without calling attention to itself. Best for wearers who reference a single home time zone and appreciate the 24h hand as a quick AM/PM indicator or second-timezone reader rather than a mechanism for rapid tz hopping.
Who should skip it
Skip it if you need an independently settable local-time flyer-GMT hand, want water resistance above 150m, or prefer a rotating 24h bezel over a fixed one.
Before you buy
- Three dial variants (Charcoal 168CH00SB, Monta Blue 168MB00SB, Opalin Silver 168OP00SB) — confirm the exact SKU before ordering
- Caller GMT only: the 24h hand is linked to local time; local hour cannot be advanced independently while the movement runs
- Low stock on the official site as of mid-2026 — verify current availability directly with Monta before purchasing
- Older reviews citing 10.2mm thickness reference the earlier SW330 production; current M-23 spec is 10.7mm
FAQ
Is the Atlas GMT automatic or quartz?
The Atlas GMT is automatic. The Monta M-23 winds itself from the motion of your wrist, so it needs no battery. A full wind holds roughly 56 hours, so it keeps running overnight off the wrist; left longer it stops and restarts once you wear or hand-wind it.
What movement does the Atlas GMT use?
The Atlas GMT is powered by the Monta M-23 from Monta, an automatic caliber with 25 jewels, a 56-hour power reserve, and a 28,800 bph beat rate. Being automatic, it winds from the motion of your wrist and needs no battery.
Does the Atlas GMT have a date?
Yes — the Atlas GMT has a date display on the dial. The date advances automatically as the movement runs, so the current day of the month is always visible at a glance, and you can set it from the crown after the watch has been left to stop.
How water resistant is the Atlas GMT?
The Atlas GMT is rated to 150 m. That covers swimming and snorkelling, though hot water and direct high-pressure water are best avoided, and it is not intended for scuba diving. Whatever the rating, avoid operating the crown or pushers underwater, and have the gaskets checked periodically to keep it reliable.
How big does the Atlas GMT wear?
At 38.5 mm across with a 47 mm lug-to-lug and 10.7 mm thick, the Atlas GMT wears as a versatile mid-size watch. Lug-to-lug is the measurement that really decides fit, since it sets how far the case spans the wrist — 47 mm suits most wrists, and smaller wrists especially should check that figure.
Is the Atlas GMT a flyer GMT, or does it use a caller setup?
Caller GMT. The 24h hand tracks local time on a 24h chapter-ring scale so you can read a reference time zone, but the local hour hand cannot be independently set in one-hour jumps while the movement continues running.
How does the Atlas GMT stack up against Swiss GMTs in the same price range?
At $2,150 it sits between the Tissot PRX GMT and Longines Spirit Zulu Time. Reviewers consistently rate its case finishing, bracelet construction, and clasp quality above the price point — the beveled links and quick-adjust clasp draw frequent comparisons to far more expensive Swiss references — though it carries less legacy brand cachet.
Did Monta ever sell the Atlas GMT with a different movement?
Yes. The original Atlas GMT launched around 2019 with a Sellita SW330-based caliber at roughly $1,615–$1,795. Monta later upgraded to the in-house-branded M-23 (tuned to a 56h reserve), raising the price to $2,150.
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