Watches and Wonders: Montblanc Upgrades Its Iced Sea and Unveils a New 1858 Geosphere Limited Editions

Inspired by the legendary mountaineer (and Montblanc brand ambassador) Reinhold Messner and his ascent of Mount Everest without supplemental oxygen, the concept also benefits tool watch design. With “0 Oxygen” in the watch case, it helps to combat fogging and oxidation that can occur at high altitudes or during extreme temperature fluctuations.
 

So, as it turns out, 2022 was a big year for Montblanc – the Iced Sea collection and the brand’s “0 Oxygen” technology ultimately came together in the Iced Sea 0 Oxygen Deep 4810. This original model featured a bold 43mm by 19.4mm build and was rendered in lightweight titanium.
 

Last year, Montblanc experimented with material play in the Iced Sea line with the bronze limited edition. Now, we get the brand’s latest take: an Iced Sea 0 Oxygen with a classic stainless steel case featuring an edgier, distressed look.
 

To create this rugged appearance, Montblanc simulated an aging and weathering process. First, the 41mm stainless steel case is washed and brushed with quartzite, a hard granular rock from a stone quarry at the Mont-Blanc Massif. Once the desired texture is achieved, it’s treated with a black coating, allowing the material to develop its own unique patina.

This distressed steel version of the Iced Sea 0 Oxygen 41mm showcases the collection’s signature glacier dial, this time in grey, giving the model a monochromatic look overall.
 

Moreover, the dial also features a sfumato effect that’s created using an old Italian technique where the tones and colors gradually merge into each other, producing softened outlines and hazy forms.

With the new 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson Limited Edition, Montblanc doubles down on its celebration of one of its most beloved brand ambassadors: the incredible alpinist Reinhold Messner.
 

This time, the brand focuses on his monumental ascent of the highest peak in Antarctica, Mount Vinson, the summiting of which completed his variation of the Seven Summits Challenge (climbing the highest mountains on each of the seven continents).
 

Following its source of inspiration, the 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Mount Vinson Limited Edition is not for the faint of heart. It offers a hefty wrist presence with an oversized 43.5mm build offset by an effortless titanium construction for the ultimate comfort and wearability wherever your adventures take you.
 

More importantly, Montblanc is also using this limited edition to debut a brand-new composite middle case crafted from quartz fibers, aluminized basalt fibers, CaCO3, and light blue resin that creates an enchanting design reminiscent of the colors and patterns of age-old glacial ice found in Antarctica with its interlocking networks of crystals.
 

The middle case also features an outline of Mount Vinson treated with a healthy dose of lume on the left-hand side for the wearer to discreetly enjoy.

In alignment with the Geosphere family, this model offers the signature world time display using two rotating hemispheres. However, for this particular limited edition, Montblanc has included dots marking the seven peaks of Messner’s list on the Northern Hemisphere globe as well as the Mont Blanc summit.
 

The homage to Messner continues on the caseback with an engraving of Mount Vinson. The model is topped off with a quick-change rubber strap – marking a first for the 1858 collection.