Montblanc Braves the Cold with their Latest 1858 Geosphere

In 2015 Montblanc launched the Villeret Tourbillon Cylindrique Geosphere Vasco da Gama, an ultra-high-end Minerva based word timer, which featured southern and northern hemisphere displays. Later in 2018, they introduced a more affordable non-tourbillon version called the 1858 Geosphere, but this time the hemispheres were displayed on a vertical axis. Since then, there have been multiple different color combinations and materials, such as bronze and titanium, on bracelets, and even on a bund strap. New for 2024 is the 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Limited Edition. 

This new 42mm x 12.8mm piece is crafted in lightweight titanium, with a blue aluminum bezel insert, which features green lumed cardinal points. The hour and minute hands, along with the numbers and markers also glow green. While the two domed hemisphere globes, together with the second time zone displayed at 9 o’clock glow blue. The dial features a sfumato iced blue glacier pattern, which must be seen in person to truly admire. It comes with a matching interchangeable titanium bracelet and a gray rope patterned textile strap.

The neat thing about these watches is their caliber 29.25 movement, a combination of a Sellita SW300 base and a proprietary world-time module. The latter allows you to independently control the hour hand via the crown, as well as the second time zone via a hidden pusher at 10 o’clock, making it a perfect travel companion and explorer. The 0 Oxygen in the model name means there is no oxygen inside the case, which eliminates fogging and prevents oxidization of important components. Lastly the case back is beautifully engraved with a frozen landscape with the Aurora Australis.

Limited to 1990 pieces, this model was launched to commemorate the 18th Antarctic Ice Marathon, which took place on December 13th, 2023. Among the competitors were Montblanc’s Watch Division Managing Director Laurent Lecamp and ambassador Simon Messner. They crossed the finish line together in 4 hours 29 seconds, coming in seventh. On their wrists was this watch, which was a fitting timepiece for Simon, as his father was the first to cross the South Pole on foot – a voyage that he undertook in 1990, covering 2,800 kilometers in 96 days. 

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Limited Edition is available now at a retail price of $7,800. Montblanc