1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson Limited Edition

Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson Limited Edition

Montblanc introduces a new timepiece that pays tribute to legendary alpinist Reinhold Messner’s ascent of the highest peak in Antarctica. 

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.

Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson

The new Geosphere 0 Oxygen edition is limited to 986 pieces as a nod to 1986 – the year when Messner made his ascent of Mount Vinson. The timepiece comes in a 43.5mm titanium case that is directly inspired by the Mount Vinson landscape with a brand-new composite middle case crafted from quartz fibres, aluminized basalt fibres, CaCO3, and light blue resin. This composite mix creates a design reminiscent of the colours and patterns of age-old glacial ice found in Antarctica with its interlocking networks of crystals that have been frozen in time for millennia. The older glaciers become, the less oxygen they contain and the denser they become, resulting in this deeper blue colour.

Reinforcing the world of adventure and exploration, the middle case is adorned with a luminous outline of Mount Vinson that shines white by day and luminous blue by night. It is positioned on the left side of the case so only the wearer can see it.

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.

Mount Vinson Caseback

To celebrate the full beauty of Mount Vinson, Montblanc has also added an engraving of this majestic peak on the caseback using a technique that provides an authentic 3D rendering that looks almost like a photograph. Made of titanium, the metal must first be structured, which means that the decoration will be engraved by laser, taking into consideration the relief of the drawing. Next, the desired finish (matte and shiny) is similarly achieved by laser. In the final colouring phase, the colours are created with laser-generated oxidation: the desired colour is determined by the level of oxidation. Montblanc is one of the most advanced Swiss Maisons to use this technology on such a large surface.

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.