Sekonda Montreal 30243 a tank-style dress watch with blue hands

What is new about the Sekonda Montreal 30243?

The Montreal is a rectangular dress watch collection that Sekonda added in the second half of 2024, sold in a 30 mm men's size and a 21 mm women's size. The 30243 is the plainest of the three men's versions: a silver-tone alloy case and bracelet with a white dial, black Roman numerals and blue hands. Gold-tone (30244) and two-tone (30245) versions share the same case and dial. The earliest customer reviews on Sekonda's own site for the 30243 are dated September 2024, and the two-tone 30245 followed with reviews from October 2024.

Sekonda describes the Montreal collection as "timeless luxury, made for him and her", and the design leans heavily on the tank-style watches of the 1920s and 1930s: a squared case, a railway-track minute ring, Roman numerals that run around the edge of the dial and slim blued hands. The RRP is £54.99 on sekonda.com, which makes it one of the cheapest ways to get this look from an established UK brand.

How big is it, and how will it wear?

Sekonda lists the case width as 30 mm and the case depth as 9 mm. It does not publish a lug to lug or case length figure, so you cannot check the vertical footprint on paper. A 30 mm rectangular case is not the same as a 30 mm round one: the squared shape covers more of the wrist than the number suggests, and rectangular dress watches have traditionally been sized smaller than round ones.

Even so, owners say it is small. One reviewer on Sekonda's site said they double-checked that they had not ordered the women's version by mistake, before deciding they liked the size. If you are used to a 40 mm sports watch, expect this to look neat and slim rather than bold.

The bracelet is 22 mm wide and Sekonda quotes a fit from 156 mm to 210 mm. Several owners say it arrived too long and needed links removing, which is normal for a bracelet watch but worth planning for if you are buying it as a gift.

What movement does it use, and how accurate is it?

Sekonda lists the movement type simply as analogue and gives the battery as a 377 cell, which tells you it is a battery-powered quartz watch. Sekonda does not name the calibre or quote an accuracy figure for this model. A basic three-hand quartz watch of this type will keep far better time than any mechanical watch at this price, and the 377 battery is a common, inexpensive cell that any high street watch repairer will stock.

There is no date window, which keeps the dial clean and symmetrical. There is also no lume mentioned in Sekonda's specification, so do not expect to read it in the dark.

How well is it built?

This is where the price shows. The case and bracelet are made of alloy rather than stainless steel, according to Sekonda's own product title. Alloy cases are lighter-duty than steel and the plated finish can wear through over years of daily use, particularly on the bracelet edges and the clasp.

The bigger issue is water. Sekonda's specification lists the water resistance as "None". That is unusual even at this price, and it means you should take it off before washing up, swimming or showering, and keep it away from heavy rain. Sekonda does not state the crystal material on the product page.

Owner feedback on Sekonda's site is positive about the finish. Reviewers describe it as well made, shiny and weightier than expected, and more than one says it looks more expensive than it was. It is also covered by Sekonda's two-year guarantee.

Is it good value against its rivals?

At £54.99 it is cheap for a rectangular dress watch from a mainstream brand. Its closest rival from the same maker is the Sekonda Clement Grand 30355, which we have already covered: it has an RRP of £49.99 on a black leather strap and a more conventional look.

If water resistance matters more than the tank shape, the Lorus Clear-cut Classic RH995RX9 is a strong alternative at £69.99 on Lorus's UK store. For £15 more you get a 41 mm stainless steel case, a Seiko Group PC32 quartz movement and 100 m water resistance, though it is round and on a leather strap, so it is a different kind of dress watch.

The Montreal's appeal is the shape. Rectangular Roman numeral watches from luxury brands cost thousands of pounds, and few budget brands sell a men's version at all. For the look alone, this is very good value.

What is the catch?

The catch is durability. An alloy case and bracelet with no rated water resistance makes this a watch for dry, occasional wear: weddings, dinners, the office. It is not a watch to wear every day for ten years or to forget about in the shower.

The size will also split buyers. The 30 mm case is faithful to the vintage tank style, but men with larger wrists may find it looks small, and Sekonda gives no case length to check against. Finally, the 22 mm bracelet is integrated into the case design, so swapping it for a leather strap may not be straightforward.

“The tank look for under £55, as long as it never meets the washing up.”

What do owners say?

Themes from public owner feedback, paraphrased. We never copy Amazon reviews or ratings.

• Owners say it looks and feels more expensive than its price, with a weighty, shiny finish

  Sekonda customer reviews (opens in a new tab)

• Some find it smaller than expected for a men's watch

  Sekonda customer reviews (opens in a new tab)

• Several say the bracelet arrived too long and needed links removed

  Sekonda customer reviews (opens in a new tab)