MONTBLANC 1858 GEOSPERE 0 OXYGEN MOUNT VINSON LIMITED EDITION

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Collection has always found inspiration in nature and the world of mountaineering, especially the exploration of those undiscovered territories that fuel the imagination of intrepid adventurers. This year, Montblanc unveils the latest timepiece in the collection: the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson Limited Edition, which pays homage to legendary mountaineer and Montblanc Brand Ambassador Reinhold Messner and his ascent of Mount Vinson in Antarctica, the final peak that completed his variation of the Seven Summits Challenge.

Now known as Messner’s List, the Seven Summits Challenge saw Messner climb the seven highest mountain peaks on each of the seven continents: this includes Mount Everest in Asia, Aconcagua in South America, Denali in North America, Kilimanjaro in Africa, Elbrus in Europe, Puncak Jaya in Australia, and Vinson in Antarctica. Since the idea of climbing seven peaks began in the 1950s, only around 500 people have achieved the feat and it remains one of mountaineering’s most coveted endeavours today.

Glacier Dial

This icy theme continues onto the dial with a blue-green and light grey sfumato glacier pattern that was created using a special technique called gratté-boisé as the base. The result gives the dial the impression of genuine depth and luminosity. This time-consuming process takes four times longer than a standard dial to complete and requires over 30 separate steps. The dial is further highlighted by a light grey anodized aluminium bezel with blue luminescent cardinal points.

Zero Oxygen Technology

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson Limited Edition joins Montblanc’s series of “Zero Oxygen” timepieces that feature several benefits. Explorers like Reinhold Messner, who climbed the seven summits without supplemental oxygen, need their equipment to work in challenging environments. Zero oxygen inside the case not only eliminates fogging, which can occur with drastic temperature changes at altitude, but also prevents oxidization. Without oxygen, all the components last longer and will provide continued precision over time. Each timepiece comes with a certificate as proof of this special, yet invisible, technology and guarantees the successful encasing without oxygen.

A Worldtime Complication

The timepiece is powered by the Caliber MB 29.25, featuring an automatic movement with Montblanc’s Manufacture Worldtime complication with approx. 42 hours of power reserve. Like with all 1858 Geosphere models, both the Northern and Southern hemispheres are represented by two three-dimensional globes that turn anti-clockwise and include a day and night indication so that the wearer can see what time it is across the Earth at a simple glance. A keen eye will also notice that Montblanc has included dots marking the seven peaks of Messner’s List on the Northern Hemisphere globe and the Mont Blanc summit. There is also a date at three o’clock and a dual time indication at nine o’clock.

A New Strap

This new watch marks the first time a watch in the 1858 collection has been fitted with a new easily interchangeable rubber strap, with previous straps having been in calf leather. It is not only the rubber that is new: the blue-green strap features a mountaineer’s rope motif in keeping with the alpine theme. The strap design also includes a mountainous profiles pattern on the inside to improve breathability and comfort on the wrist. Like the other straps in the 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen line, it is tapered, easily interchangeable, and comes with a fine adjustment system. Finally, this newly rubber strap includes elegant stitching above the lugs, a signature feature on watches in the 1858 collection.