Since acquiring the 1858-born Minerva manufacture in 2007, the Montblanc 1858 collection has housed some of the brand’s most impressive designs. From rare monopushers powered by Minerva movements, to unique global time displays and adventure-ready time-only watches, the flagship series is an easy favourite among collectors. For their 2022 Watches & Wonders releases, the collection becomes the centre of attention yet again with the launch of several Minerva limited editions, a new glacier-inspired 1858 Iced Sea collection and similarly cold in spirit, the new Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen Limited Edition.
As its name suggests, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen watch is all about oxygen, or should we say, the lack of it. The case of the limited edition is completely void of the element to prevent fogging and oxidation in sub-zero temperatures and extreme altitudes. This isn’t just some crazy claim to sell a bunch of watches either. Montblanc are pushing the design to its limits by enlisting mountaineer Nimsdai Purja, a mountaineer famed for his extreme high-altitude mountaineering missions, like that of breaking the original 8-year record of climbing the world’s fourteen highest peaks in only 7 months. In May 2022, Nimsdai will wear the new Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen Limited Edition on his next ascent of Everest where he intends to reach the peak without supplemental oxygen.
Knowing Montblanc and their already long-established heritage creating durable outdoor watches, we have no doubt the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen watch will be up to the test. It’s 44mm case is engineered from lightweight and scratch resistant titanium and commands a height of 17.1mm. The titanium is treated to a combination of brushed and polished finishing and is topped by a statement bi-directional rotating bezel. Finished in black ceramic, the bezel will become a necessary tool for adventurers like Nimsdai with cardinal points decorated around the edge set with glow in the dark Superluminova. The release also presents matching titanium pushers and a screw in crown water resistant to 100 metres.
Turning the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen Limited Edition over and you’ll find a gorgeous laser engraving of Reinhold Messner’s route up Everest in 1978. To achieve the depth and realism of the case back and its three-dimensional texture, Montblanc have used a special technique which involves engraving titanium with a laser. The colouring is also created using laser-generated oxidation and to no surprise, Montblanc is one of just a few Swiss Maisons to have used this technology on such a large surface. Keeping the case back from view is a blue calfskin leather strap with white stitch detail securing to the wrist by a titanium deployment buckle.
Beneath the domed sapphire crystal glass treated with anti-reflective coating on both sides, the dial of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen watch perfectly tributes its high altitude mission with a unique glacial-inspired decoration. The design is achieved using a technique called gratté boisé and matches those of the new 1858 Iced Sea Automatic collection. The dial is finished in a crisp blue hue and set with four subsidiary dials. The 3 and 9 o’clock dials display the chronograph counters for 30 minutes and 12 hours while the 12 and 6 o’clock retain the famous turning globes for the Northern and Southern hemispheres of the 1858 Geosphere family. These globes also provide a 24-hour scale and day/night indicator.
Powering the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen Limited Edition is a new movement from the brand, the MB 29.27 automatic chronograph. It has been specifically designed to perform in temperatures as low as 50 degrees Celsius using specific oils and is assessed in rigorous 500-hour laboratory tests. The movement also impresses with 33 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 46 hours.
The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen is certainly going to be a fast seller and with only 290 pieces on offer, a number chosen to honour the upcoming Everest climb of 29,031 feet, we recommend getting your hands on one asap. If you’d like to do just that, head over to the Jura Watches website here or get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.
Specifications: Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen (129624)
- Case Size: 44mm
- Case Material: Titanium
- Bezel: Bi-directional with black ceramic insert, cardinal points in Superluminova
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating on both sides
- Case Back: Closed with special laser engraving
- Crown: Screw in
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: MB 29.27 automatic winding
- Functions: Hours, minutes, chronograph seconds, 30 minute counter, 12 hour counter, date, northern and southern hemisphere turning globes with day/night indicator and world time
- Power Reserve: 46 hours
- Jewels: 33
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Blue with glacial ice pattern, Superluminova hands and numerals
- Strap: Bleu calfskin leather
- Buckle: Folding
- RRP: TBC
- Limited Edition: 290 pieces
