Introducing Montblanc Launches The 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson

Although Montblanc's journey in watchmaking began as recently as 1997, the brand has rapidly built an impressive portfolio. One of its standout releases is the 1858 collection, launched as a tribute to the spirit of mountain exploration and deeply rooted in the legacy of Minerva, the historic Villeret-based manufacture founded in 1858. Since acquiring Minerva in 2006, Montblanc has continued to honour its tradition of crafting fine movements and designs.

In 2018, Montblanc introduced the 1858 Geosphere, a bold design built for modern adventurers. This year, the brand continues its mission to celebrate explorers with the 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson, commemorating legendary Italian climber Reinhold Messner, the first person to summit all Seven Summits without supplemental oxygen. The latest release specifically honours his 1986 ascent of Antarctica’s Mount Vinson.

The watch measures 43.5mm in diameter and 13mm in thickness, slightly larger than standard Geosphere models, thanks to a new case construction. While the case remains titanium, the true highlight is the mid-case: a striking blue composite made of quartz fibers, aluminized basalt, calcium carbonate, and resin. This unique mix mimics the ancient glacial ice of Mount Vinson, giving each case a marbled, stone-like appearance. Additional features include a luminous outline of Mount Vinson on the case flank and a bidirectional titanium bezel with a glowing compass insert.

Flip the watch over, and you're greeted by an intricately engraved titanium caseback. Using in-house laser oxidation techniques, Montblanc creates vivid, durable colors that won’t fade over time. The caseback depicts Mount Vinson, surrounded by the engraved names of the Seven Summits, celebrating Messner’s historic achievement.

The dial is crafted using the gratté-boisé technique, in which wood is used to scrape brass, mimicking glacial textures. It is then lacquered in a smoky blue gradient. Creating this dial requires more than 30 steps and takes up to four times longer than standard dials. Despite its complexity, the layout remains highly legible: two rotating hemispheres at 12 and 6 o’clock display 24-hour worldtime with day/night indicators, while cathedral hands filled with Super-LumiNova, a date window at 3 o’clock, and a 12-hour second time zone subdial at 9 o’clock (adjusted via a pusher at 10) complete the functionality.

Powering the watch is Montblanc’s automatic MB 29.25 movement, based on the Sellita SW300-1a and enhanced with the brand’s in-house worldtime module. It beats at 28,800 vph (4Hz) and offers a 42-hour power reserve. As part of the “0 Oxygen” initiative, the entire movement is encased in a vacuum to prevent fogging and enhance the longevity of components.

The watch is paired with a rope-textured blue rubber strap, secured with a push-button folding clasp featuring fine adjustment. It is limited to 986 pieces, a nod to Messner’s 1986 Mount Vinson summit, and priced at €9,200, equivalent to AED 36,200.

For more information, visit Montblanc's official website.