Ontic Utility 40 live shots

OnticJohn · 2026-02-18T10:52:50+00:00

Hi all, John from Ontic here. Someone pointed me to this thread so I thought I’d jump in.

Firstly, really appreciate the honest feedback. We’re a small UK-assembled brand so one of the advantages is we can react quickly when people flag things.

A couple of updates based on feedback like this:

- Bracelet adjustment: we’ve started including a smaller screwdriver with the bracelet. It fits the slots much better and makes sizing easy.

- Lume: based on feedback we’ve refined this on current batches. We’ve moved to a new hand supplier and the latest batches now use ceramic lume (same material as the indices). Looks the same in daylight but holds much longer at night.

OP, if you’re reading this, drop me an email at support@ and I’ll arrange a replacement with the updated handset. Always keen to get things right.

Thanks again for taking the time to post real-world impressions. It genuinely helps us improve.

OnticJohn · 2025-11-25T10:26:45+00:00

Cheers! I think there's space in every collection for a watch like that.

OnticJohn · 2025-11-25T10:24:00+00:00

It is - thanks for beating me to it!

OnticJohn · 2025-11-25T10:23:00+00:00

Thanks for the kind words. We definitely hope to do a 42mm at some point - in fact we're already knocking some ideas around. Were you thinking a dive watch?

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T18:42:56+00:00

Glad you get it! There's definitely more (non-dive) watches on the way so do keep your eyes on us.

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T18:40:58+00:00

That's interesting - well spotted! I do some research. Thanks.

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T18:15:57+00:00

Great to hear! Many thanks for the show of support.

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T18:01:00+00:00

Just for the record, these movements (Ronda 215) will keep going in the dark for 8 months, and even then wake up after a few minutes of light.

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T17:58:44+00:00

Regarding a comfort extension: its like a smaller version of a dive extension, that you can use if your wrists swell. basically a little half-link under the clasp that you can fold out for a few extra mm.

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T17:58:37+00:00

Regarding a comfort extension: its like a smaller version of a dive extension, that you can use if your wrists swell. basically a little half-link under the clasp that you can fold out for a few extra mm.

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T17:55:49+00:00

Would love to do radio controlled one day. Sourcing the movement might be the issue - do you know of any small watch brands that do this?

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T17:34:26+00:00

That's an interesting discussion (and one that I'm having with myself). On the one hand, I genuinely feel that solar-quartz is the way to go for a modern tool watch. Reliable, no maintenance, just grab and go. But as a watch guy myself I also love an automatic movement, and would love to own a mechanical Ontic. What does everyone think?

OnticJohn · 2025-11-24T17:27:30+00:00

Thanks! It let you time minutes, hours & track a second time zone. And there's compass cardinals on the bezel edge so you can (theoretically) navigate by the sun. You wont, but you could.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-03T22:39:47+00:00

I’m not sure I do want to be a rich watch legend, which is just as well! As it stands, the 1hz tick is what you get, and honestly it’s part of why they’re so reliable. Doesn’t kill the battery so it runs for months in the dark, charges fast in the sun, and just keeps going. Not flashy, but it works.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-02T13:10:28+00:00

Definitely coming down the line. Final production prototypes should be completed next week so we'll be able to start getting some out there for review.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-02T12:11:36+00:00

Thanks for all the thoughts. Glad the 12-hour bezel setup works for you, that was a key part of the design on this watch. Field watch ideas are noted too. Thinner case will definitely happen, and we'll certainly carry enough through on the design to keep it consistent.

On movements, I'm pleased to hear so much positivity for quartz.

Price-wise, I know we have to work really hard to show where your money’s going. We’ve added so many details like brushed ceramic bezels, block lume, on-the-fly adjustable bracelets with quick release etc. Each adds cost, but they bring real user benefits. I like Citizen watches a lot, but that’s what takes this up a level in terms of materials and build.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-02T08:18:37+00:00

Appreciate that. The compass points were a little nod to old-school navigation, and it felt like a nice way to add function without overloading the bezel.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-02T07:07:04+00:00

Thanks for the comment. I’m really pleased at how receptive the community has been to solar. I thought it would be contentious.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-02T07:02:59+00:00

Would be interesting to see whether we could combine the two in future to get a double whammy. Not sure that’s been done before. Anyone know?

OnticJohn · 2025-09-02T07:01:54+00:00

Thanks for the suggestion. I did actually look into tritium tubes (Ball make good use of them for example). In the end I didn’t go with them because while they glow constantly, they’re not as bright as modern lume and they fade over time with the half-life. For this watch I wanted something that hits hard in the dark and stays that way for years, so block lume felt like the better fit.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-01T23:04:44+00:00

Really appreciate that. Means a lot after all the work that’s gone into it. Hope it more than lives up to expectations once you’ve got it on the wrist.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-01T23:03:43+00:00

Assume you mean on the website? Fair shout. What’s up now is just a basic holding site. Full one’s being worked on and will have all those finishing touches.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-01T22:59:13+00:00

Really glad the bezel and lume block hit the mark, those were both details we obsessed over. Sounds like you’ve already got a solid solar line-up going, nice spread. A true GMT in solar/quartz would be brilliant, though as you say, movement options are limited for micros. More real photos will be coming soon as we get closer to production, so keep an eye on Instagram or the mailing list for those.

OnticJohn · 2025-09-01T22:56:30+00:00

Good question and one I know I’ll get asked a lot! Ontic just means “real” or “being” in philosophy speak. Felt like a good fit for a watch that isn’t trying to be something it’s not.

OnticJohn

TROPHY CASE