Horologii

Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited Edition Watch Review

Just last month, luxury goods giant Montblanc announced the launch of their first ever complete cross-category collection all of which was dressed in a stealthy black suit. Named the Montblanc UltraBlack Series, the collection saw the release of several pens, leather goods, some headphones and two watches. The first was a luxury smartwatch from their Summit family. The second, a design many luxury watch connoisseurs are familiar with: the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited Edition.

Anyone remotely wanderlust will have likely already heard or even own one of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere watches. It was first released right at the beginning of 2018 and was designed in tribute to the 160th anniversary of Minerva with its brand-new manufacture WorldTime complication developed internally at Villeret. As well as its overly handsome layout inspired by the original Minerva watches from the 1920’s, the main attraction to the design is it’s unique display which showcases all of the time zones around the world. And unlike so many other worldtime watches, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere actually achieves both the northern and southern hemispheres displayed on two stunning domed hemisphere globes.

The new Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack watch follows the same design codes as previous releases with the same case size, movement and overall functionality and differs only in it’s colourway. Dressed almost entirely in black, the limited edition of 858 pieces has been released as part of their UltraBlack series to celebrate modernity and the brand’s most recognisable colour which has been used within the logo of Montblanc ever since their founding.

The colour black plays a big part in our Maison’s essence, and is core to the brand’s identity, even as it evolved over the years to become the Maison of Luxury Business Lifestyle. The pieces and their functionality, while unified by their black design, were carefully selected based on the everyday needs and mindset of those who don’t just strive to succeed, but who leave a mark with everything they do, always with meaning and purpose. Montblanc UltraBlack collection offers smart wearable technology for enhanced connectivity, leather pieces for seamless mobility, writing instruments for bold ideas and creativity, watches for audacious elegance,” says Nicolas Baretzki, Montblanc CEO.

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited Edition honours its place within the UltraBlack collection with a distinctive 42mm black coated stainless steel case with a special satin-finish achieved by manual washing and brushes. This unusual technique gives each watch its own unique but arguably very subtle patina. The fluted crown at 3 o’clock also matches and is styled with the Montblanc emblem in relief. Also in black is the bi-directional rotating bezel with a microbille-polished finish and a compass scale treated with white Superluminova. The cathedral shaped-hands, indexes and hemisphere globes match with white luminous coating.

You guessed it, at the centre the dial matches the rest of it’s monochromatic aesthetic with a smooth black backdrop and famously displays the two rotating globes at 12 and 6 o’clock. As well as tributing Minerva’s history, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere collection is also dedicated to the Seven Summit Mountaineering Challenge and so points to the locations of the seven summits and the Montblanc mountain with red-coloured dots on the two hemispheres. The case back is also engraved with a drawing of the Montblanc mountain, two crossing ice picks and a compass surrounded by all seven summits, namely Mount-Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Puncak Jaya.

Powering the two hemisphere globes, the additional time zone display at 9 o’clock, the two classic central hands for hours and minutes and the date complication at 3 o’clock is the automatic winding Calibre MB 29.25. It features a flat hairspring, 26 jewels, a frequency of 28,800vph and a power reserve of 42 hours. Lastly, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited Edition is secured to the wrist by a black calfskin leather strap with beige stitch detailing and a black-coated stainless steel pin buckle.

For more information on the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack watch and to order one of the 858 pieces for yourself, head over to the Jura Watches website here. Alternatively, get in touch with the team by calling 01335 453453 or send us a message at help@jurawatches.co.uk.

Specifications: Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited Edition (MB128257)

  • Case Size: 42mm
  • Case Material: Distressed stainless steel
  • Bezel: Bi-directional with black ceramic insert
  • Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with double anti-reflective treatment
  • Crown: Screw in
  • Case Back: Closed
  • Water Resistance: 100 metres
  • Movement: MB 29.25 automatic winding
  • Functions: Worldtime with turning northern and southern hemisphere globes, 24-hour scale and day/night indication, dual time indication, date, hours and minutes
  • Power Reserve: 42 hours
  • Jewels: 26
  • Frequency: 28,800vph
  • Dial: Black with white Superluminova markings
  • Strap: Black calfskin leather
  • RRP: £5,600
  • Limited Edition: 858 pieces