The Monbrey MB1: Dress Watch with Automotive Vibes
Over the last few years, my taste in watch design has changed slightly, as it does, but my passion and love for microbrands still stand firm. While I love tool watches such as divers and chronographs, I’ve been dabbling a little more in casual/dress watches, and recently, after some great discussions, I had the privilege to check out the stunning Monbrey MB1 series–more specifically, the MB1 L03 White and L08 Indigo Purple. Let’s get into it.
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Key Features of Monbrey MB1
I was hooked on these right from the get-go. From the second I pulled the watches out of the box, I could tell these would be very special on the wrist, and I was right. The cleanliness of the white enamel dial on the L03 and how vibrant and striking the purple is on the L08 captivated me. Both watches are a great example of simplistic elegance and beauty, which is a trait I often look for in a dress watch; they are meant to compliment, not complicate. If I’m being honest, both watches would most likely steal the show.
The 38.5mm stainless steel case features both brushed and polished finishing–brushed on the lug tops and polished sides to make the angular cuts on the lugs more prominent, and when paired with the polished bezel around the domed sapphire crystal, you get a perfect contrast of textures, accents and an elegant design. The case measures 10mm thick with an additional 2mm from the domed crystal, 47mm lug-to-lug, and has a lug width of 20mm. Paired with the 38.5mm case diameter, the watch feels fantastic and sits perfectly on the wrist.
To me, what makes a watch is the beauty of the dial, and the MB1 L03 and L08 don’t miss. The L03 features a beautiful white enamel dial with applied silver baton indices and, for a pop of colour, a red “anti-magnetic” word mark at the 6 o’clock position, creating a very minimal, clean, yet stunning dial design. The L08, for its part, features a beautiful Indigo Sunray brushed dial and is the perfect shade of purple for a watch. The shade changes in the light depending on the angle, but no matter what, you always get a rich purple that stands out, and paired with the applied silver baton indices, it’s an absolute head-turner.
The MB1 has a brown and black leather strap in the box, but a stainless steel bracelet is available. For this review, I decided to stick with the leather straps because they’re so comfortable, and with the cold weather here in Canada, I prefer a watch on leather. The straps are 20mm, tapering to 16mm, allowing for a perfect cadence across the wrist and adding to comfort and wearability.
SPECS
| Case | 316L Stainless Steel 38.5mm Diameter 47mm Lug to Lug 10mm Thick 20mm Lug Width Screw Down Case Back 50m Water Resistance |
| Dial & Crystal | Sapphire Crystal Dauphine Handset Applied Markers |
| Movement | Miyota 9039 28 800bph 24 Jewels 42-Hour Power Reserve |
| Strap | Epsom Patterned Leather /w Stainless Steel Bracelet Option |
Monbrey MB1
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Of Interest
The MB1 is the first series of watches created by Monbrey. The inspiration comes from a unique era in automotive design, the 1970s, also known as the wedge era, which comprised cars with a distinctive angular design. Reminiscent of icons like the DMC DeLorean, Lamborghini Bravo, Alfa Romeo Navajo and Aston Martin Bulldog, the MB1 features an angular case design with the 1970s in mind.
Quibbles
The MB1 checks off almost all the boxes as it’s a watch I love due to its inspiration and how it looks and feels fantastic on my wrist. However, while it fits the aesthetic and inspiration of 1970s automotive design, the lugs were a bit too flat and could do with a slight angle or curve to wrap the wrist a bit more. But that’s a personal preference.
Final Thoughts
The MB1 is a gorgeous watch that pulls inspiration from an iconic era in automotive design and looks fantastic. The case size and overall proportions of the MB1 will fit in the “sweet spot” of many collectors and enthusiasts. With the variety of colour options available, there’s something for everyone (10 colours available).
Pricing & Availability
The MB1 series retails for $519USD and includes black and brown leather straps; for $599USD, receive both straps and a stainless steel bracelet. For more information, check out Monbrey.
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About the Author
Born into a family obsessed with motorsport, Tyler Frederick became enamoured with speed and beautiful cars at a young age. His love of Formula 1–and all things mechanical–eventually lead him to horology. You can follow him on Instagram.
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