2023-12-26 23:04:25
The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere continues to explore some of the wildest landscapes on the planet with a new boutique Limited Edition, inspired by the South Pole
The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere collection has always drawn its inspiration from nature, particularly the remote territories that fuel the imagination of today’s intrepid explorers. The South Pole, located at Earth’s southernmost point on the continent of Antarctica, is one such place. This icy plateau lies at an altitude of 2,835 m with a desert climate with little precipitation and zero humidity. It may seem almost pleasant, but make no mistake: it’s a harsh climate, with strong winds scattering snow across the region and temperatures dropping to -65°C, making it the one of the most hostile territories on the planet.
The ultimate explorer
Reinhold Messner, Mark-Maker Montblanc, made his name in history in 1990 when he and explorer Arved Fuchs were the first men to cross Antarctica on foot, without animal or motorized assistance, covering a distance of 2 800 km. They gradually climbed more than 3,000 meters while pulling a sled weighing more than 100 kg with the only navigation instrument being a compass to guide them. The stories of their extreme adventures in this wildly beautiful but most hostile territory inspired this new Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Exploration Limited Edition 1990, whose sfumato effect dial immortalizes the icy blue tones of the icebergs and the superpositions of glacial patterns of the polar ice of Antarctica.
1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Exploration Limited Edition © Montblanc
Leave a footprint
On December 13, 2023, Montblanc will accompany Simon Messner in this unforgiving icy landscape during his participation in the Antarctic Ice Marathon. Born in 1990, the year his father – mountaineer Reinhold Messner – crossed the South Pole, this accomplished athlete will face nature equipped with a Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Exploration Limited Edition watch.
This marathon takes place a few hundred kilometers from the South Pole, at the foot of the Ellsworth Mountains, and at an altitude of 700 meters. Participants will have to navigate ground made up of snow and ice, with temperatures around -20 oC. Without forgetting the katabatic winds to which this area is exposed, which will make things even worse.
About Simon Messner
Passionate regarding mountaineering, Simon Messner studied molecular biology. He discovered his own passion for the mountains at the age of 15, in the icy and rocky routes of the Dolomites, a mountaineering classic. Simon has since climbed many more icy and rocky routes, and made his first ascents in Oman, Jordan, Pakistan, the Alps and the Dolomites, where he lives. The style, that is to say the way in which a route is opened, plays as important a role for Simon as the ascent itself. For him, the mountains are above all a place where we live an experience, and which must be preserved.
Simon Messner © Montblanc
Why Glacial Ice Blue?
Glacier ice differs from normal white ice in terms of age, density and weight because it has expelled most of the air bubbles it contained, meaning it can absorb almost any color of the spectrum. The blue color refracts due to the absence of oxygen. It is this tone of blue that is in the spotlight on the dial of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Exploration Limited Edition, with a bidirectional bezel in ice blue anodized aluminum with a luminescent cardinal point and a matching-colored dial sporting Montblanc’s special glacier pattern, which gives the impression of looking directly into the depths of the ice.
A dial frozen in time
This special dial creation technique is designed to create the illusion of real depth and luminosity on the dial. The craftsmen start by stamping the dial in relief to create the glazed pattern, then use a special technique as a basis: “wooden scratching”. Each layer is printed, lacquered and polished. It must dry overnight before applying the next coat. This manufacturing technique takes four times as long as for a standard dial, and requires more than 30 specific steps.
Trapped in ice
The ice theme is also represented by an ultra-light 42mm titanium case, and an interchangeable tapered bracelet with a fine adjustment system and a new fully satin finish. This timepiece is supplied with another interchangeable gray textile strap with rope pattern.
Zero oxygen
Glacier ice is not the only one to be devoid of air: the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Exploration Limited Edition 1990 joins the Montblanc “Zero Oxygen” series of timepieces with many advantages. Explorers like Reinold Messner need equipment that performs in difficult conditions. The oxygen vacuum in the housing prevents fogging caused by significant temperature variations at altitude, while preventing oxidation. This significantly increases the life of all components and improves accuracy over time.
1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Exploration Limited Edition © Montblanc
World time complication
This timepiece is powered by a caliber MB 29.25 automatic movement with a Montblanc-manufactured world time complication and a power reserve of approximately 42 hours. As on all 1858 Geosphere models, both the northern and southern hemispheres are represented by two three-dimensional globes rotating counterclockwise, and include a day/night indicator which allows you to see at a glance what time it is. is anywhere on the planet. Keen eyes will also notice that Montblanc has added the path traveled by Messner on the South Pole of the Antarctic continent, in homage to the legendary expedition carried out by this Mark-Maker. The date is indicated at 3 o’clock and two time zones complete the set at 9 o’clock.
Aurora Australis case
To celebrate all the beauty of the South Pole, Montblanc has also added an engraving on the case back depicting an aurora australis over Paradise Bay, Antarctica. This bay is famous for its emperor penguins and whale watching sites, and it is renowned for being one of the coldest and windiest regions on Earth.
The Aurora Australis (Aurora Australis) is a spectacular colorful light phenomenon that dances across the night sky. This natural phenomenon is due to the collision between electrically charged particles from the sun and gases found in the Earth’s atmosphere, which then emit light. Wavelengths determine the color of lights, with oxygen causing a red or greenish-yellow tint and nitrogen causing a blue light.
These southern lights are also visible on the dial at night, with blue luminescence illuminating the continents and the second time zone hand, while green luminescence illuminating the hour and minute hands, numerals and indexes, and dots cardinals.
1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Exploration Limited Edition © Montblanc
3D engraving
Montblanc uses a particular technique to highlight this polar landscape on the case back: the 3D rendering brings depth and realism, as if it were a photograph. The case, being made of titanium, the metal must first be structured, which means that the decorations are laser engraved taking into account the relief of the design. Then, the desired finish (matte and shiny) is also obtained by laser. We finally move on to the coloring phase. Colors are created by laser generated oxidation. It is the level of oxidation that determines the desired final color. Montblanc is one of the most advanced Houses to use this technology on such a surface.
The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole Exploration is limited to 1990 pieces and embodies the spirit of exploration according to Montblanc, because these watches are ready for any adventure, but also because of their design and manufacturing techniques. It comes with an easily interchangeable titanium bracelet and textile bracelet, and is available in Montblanc boutiques worldwide.
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