{"id":320251,"date":"2025-12-01T09:21:14","date_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:21:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/320251\/"},"modified":"2025-12-01T09:21:14","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T09:21:14","slug":"ontic-utility-40-micro-mondays","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/320251\/","title":{"rendered":"Ontic Utility 40 | MICRO MONDAYS"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tom Austin<\/a><\/p>\n

It\u2019s fair to say that if the watch world is short of something, it\u2019s definitely not tool watches. Whether they\u2019re large or small, subtle or brash, wallet-burstingly expensive, or outstanding value, there is something for everyone, and usually they\u2019re pretty good at their jobs, too. But one thing\u2019s for sure, though, and that is that many modern so-called tool watches now lean towards utilitarian jewellery rather than being hardcore technical devices.<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s say you\u2019re stuck somewhere on a mountainside. You don\u2019t want a watch you\u2019re worried about using; you need something that works. For example, in situations like that, deciding to take a decent watch with you could mean the difference between knowing which way is north and being hopelessly, dangerously lost. It sounds implausible, but if you expose yourself to those risks, it\u2019s very much a reality, and after all, that\u2019s why Mountain Rescue teams exist, right?<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

Well, what if someone from Mountain Rescue actually designed a watch that would actually be fit for that purpose? That\u2019s where British<\/a> microbrand Ontic comes in. Founder John Hickling knows all too well what it\u2019s like to be cold, wet and very lost halfway up a hill, thanks to his background as a Mountain Rescue volunteer. He recently used this experience as he turned his hand to watch design, and the result is the Ontic Utility 40 range<\/a>, a collection of watches all made to serve a purpose.<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

Firstly, the name, Ontic, comes from the Greek word \u00f3n, meaning \u201cbeing\u201d or \u201cthat which is.\u201d In philosophy, the term is used to describe something tangible and concrete rather than abstract or imagined. It\u2019s a fitting choice for a watch intended to be used in the real world, and not to be pampered. The Utility 40 range contains nine watches, all based around the same architecture, with different colours and styles to suit the wearer\u2019s requirements.<\/p>\n

The case<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

The case is a recognisable shape, for sure, with good reason; this style of watch has been considered a suitable fit for a tool watch for decades, but importantly, the proportions are well considered. Built from grade 2 titanium<\/a>, it measures 40mm in diameter, 12mm thick, and has a lug-to-lug of 46mm. It\u2019s sized just right to be useful when needed without getting in the way. The titanium used for the case has been hardened to 1,200 Vickers, which, in case you didn\u2019t know, makes it incredibly hard<\/a> and scratch-resistant.<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

Each watch is individually tested to 300 meters of water resistance<\/a>, which puts it toe-to-toe with its closest competitors quite easily. The finishing isn\u2019t completely free of neat details, though, as we see across the range, there\u2019s a mix of brushed finishes, sandblasted finishes, and even black DLC coatings, and the lugs and crown guards are treated to some lovely polished bevels. Finally, the 120-click unidirectional bezel is a key feature, because not only does it come with a brushed ceramic insert, but it\u2019s equipped with neat details such as a compass<\/a> running around the outside rim, and if you know how to use it<\/a>, it\u2019s a convenient feature if you get lost.<\/p>\n

The dials<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

There are nine different variations across the Utility 40 range, split into four distinct categories. Objectively, there\u2019s not a massive difference beyond colourways, but each one is its own stylistic theme and name. The \u201cCore\u201d range features more plain, singular colours, such as blue, red, green, and black, with the green and red featuring smoky fum\u00e9 dials<\/a> that darken towards the edges.<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

The \u201cDive\u201d range showcases some more colourful choices, pairing blue with orange, and black with red, for a more focused take on a dive watch<\/a>, highlighting the 15-minute section on the bezel as a warning indicator for divers. The second hand also shares the brighter colour, too. Alongside this, the \u201cDuty\u201d range features the stealthy DLC-coated case, matched with smoky green and red dials.<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

Finally, there\u2019s the \u201cTribute\u201d collection, the MR1. This is a direct tribute to the UK\u2019s Mountain Rescue teams, of which the founder was a part. Inspired by the Mountain Rescue livery, the watch shares orange and yellow tones, designed to be visible in harsh environments. Additionally, a portion of the profits from this version go directly to supporting UK Mountain Rescue.<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

Aside from colours, the dials are incredibly functional and highly detailed. The dial\u2019s surface is 3-dimensional, with a perfect pyramid-like texture that is super cool to look at and doesn\u2019t detract from the dial\u2019s legibility. In fact, legibility is no problem whatsoever, thanks to generous lashings of Super-LumiNova on the custom handset and applied hour markers. There\u2019s even a lumed frame around the date window at 6 o\u2019clock, a unique way of actively not trying to hide the date.<\/p>\n

The movement<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

We all love automatic watches. But some would argue that a tool watch can\u2019t be a tool watch if it\u2019s not mechanical. However, the Utility 40 proves this to be incorrect. It\u2019s powered by a Ronda Solartech 215 solar-powered<\/a> quartz movement built for accuracy, toughness, and years of loyal service. This is not only Ontic\u2019s way of focusing on functionality without costing the earth, but also being solar quartz-powered, it will work literally anywhere<\/a>. You could be lost in the wilderness with a mechanical watch, but if you forget to wind it and it stops or breaks, and you don\u2019t know the time, it won\u2019t be much use to you in finding your way. The solar quartz Utility 40 solves this problem comfortably.<\/p>\n

The straps<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

To be a good tool watch, you need to have a decent way of fixing to the wrist, and the Utility 40 has a couple of solid options. Each watch arrives with a colour-matched custom FKM rubber strap that features the same pyramid texture as the dial. The straps all feature quick-release systems and come equipped with a titanium pin buckle to match the case. For just a smidge more money, there\u2019s an option of a full-titanium three-link bracelet with an engraved folding clasp and comfort link. And fear not, if you choose the brushed, sandblasted or DLC-coated versions of the Utility 40, there\u2019s a titanium bracelet made specifically for each style.<\/p>\n

Ontic Utility 40 pricing & availability<\/p>\n

\"Ontic<\/p>\n

The Ontic Utility 40 is now available directly from Ontic<\/a>. Price: \u00a3599 (on strap), \u00a3679 (on bracelet)<\/p>\n

Brand
\nOntic<\/p>\n

Model
\nUtility 40<\/p>\n

Case Dimensions
\n40mm (D) x 12mm (T) x 46mm (LTL)<\/p>\n

Case Material
\nGrade 2 hardened titanium<\/p>\n

Water Resistance
\n300 meters, screw-down crown<\/p>\n

Crystal(s)
\nSapphire front<\/p>\n

Dial
\nPyramid texture with 9 variations<\/p>\n

Lug Width
\n20mm<\/p>\n

Bracelet
\nRubber FKM strap or titanium bracelet with folding clasp<\/p>\n

Movement
\nRonda Solartech 215, solar-powered quartz<\/p>\n

Functions
\nHours, minutes, seconds, date, timing\/compass bezel<\/p>\n

Availability
\nAvailable now<\/p>\n

Price
\n\u00a3599 (on strap)
\u00a3679 (on bracelet)<\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Tom Austin It\u2019s fair to say that if the watch world is short of something, it\u2019s definitely not…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":320252,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[6],"tags":[64,63,144199,159274,106453,105],"class_list":{"0":"post-320251","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-technology","8":"tag-au","9":"tag-australia","10":"tag-metabritish","11":"tag-metamicro-mondays","12":"tag-metamicrobrands","13":"tag-technology"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320251","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=320251"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/320251\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/320252"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=320251"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=320251"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=320251"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}