Synonymous with excellence in craftsmanship and design, Montblanc has been pushing the boundaries of innovation ever since the Maison first revolutionised the culture of writing in 1906 and has since then branched out in various segments including watchmaking. Since its acquisition of Minerva, which has been in continuous operation for over 165 years while specialising in chronographs and sports counters, both maisons are dedicated to pushing the limits of aesthetic and technical excellence. This year, Montblanc has debuted new editions of the 1858 Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph and the new 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen CARBO2, which combines 0 Oxygen with a middle case containing CO2
1858 The Unveiled Minerva Monopusher Chronograph
This new limited edition of 100 sees the addition of five apertures into the case band, allowing light to flood into the hand-finished manually wound movement. The entire timepiece has been created for a play of light and depth flowing through the movement constructed on pillars, so that the wearer can fully admire the 291 components via five different crystal windows. This edition comes with a new movement, the Calibre MB M17.26. Like the Calibre MB M16.26 that equipped the previous versions, this monopusher calibre has been flipped over to display all the mechanical action on the dial side of the watch. At first glance, the viewer may think it is a skeletonised movement, but a closer look reveals that this chronograph movement is on full display on the dial side of the watch.
The chronograph complication of the Calibre MB M17.26 has been constructed on pillars, allowing the light to flood in. The chronograph bridge has also been put on top of the movement to highlight this distinctive component, the design of which was patented in 1912. The German silver plates and bridges have been coloured in a contemporary blue, contrasting with the rest of the movement, yet matching the blue sfumato calf leather strap. The watch comes in a 43mm stainless steel case with an elegant horizontal satin finishing and is fitted with a white gold fluted bezel inspired by Minerva’s first fluted bezel dating back to 1927.
1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen CARBO2
Montblanc’s new limited edition 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen timepiece featuring a CARBO2 middle case is created using a pioneering process that captures CO2 from biogas production and mineral waste produced by recycling factories – thanks to a process of calcium dissolution and carbonation. The obtained powder – CACO3 – containing CO2, is then combined with ultra-light and resistant carbon fibre. Together, they create an innovative composite material, the CARBO2 that is shaped into a watch middle case. The resulting CARBO2 material has a graphic aesthetic, with its dark shades depending on the particular mix of carbon fibre and CACO3.
The 43.5mm titanium and CARBO2 case features an engraved luminous blue outline of the Mont Blanc Mountain on the side that only the wearer can see. The caseband – shining white by day and luminous blue by night – features the deeper blue colour of older glaciers. An 3D laser image of the Mont Blanc mountain adorns the titanium caseback, depicting the colour, depth, and realism of this natural wonder. This edition joins the Maison’s series of “Zero Oxygen” timepieces and is powered by the MB 29.25 automatic movement with Montblanc’s Manufacture worldtime complication, which includes turning Northern and Southern Hemisphere globes with blue Greenwich meridian lines and 14 dots for each of the 8000m peaks. It also displays a Day & Night indication, a 24-hour scale, dual time display, and a date.
The timepiece comes with a bi-directional titanium ceramic fluted bezel with blue luminescent cardinal points and a blue gasket under the sapphire crystal. It is fitted with a black sfumato glacier pattern dial and is limited to 1969 pieces – a nod to the year that Montblanc Mark Maker Reinhold Messner made the first solo ascent of Les Droites, the north face on the Mont Blanc massif. Completing the timepiece is a black interchangeable rubber strap featuring a taper and a fine adjustment system, with the pattern reminiscent of the textiles used by mountaineers.
