The Montblanc journey continues and takes us to the highest peaks and to some of the coldest areas in the world. Let’s have a look at what one of our favourite brands is presenting this year.
Unveiled Secret Minerva Monopusher Chronograph
It all starts with two limited editions of 18 and 58 pieces, in Lime Gold and stainless steel respectively. Both come in a case side of 43mm and are fitted with a fluted bezel, the sign of an exceptional Montblanc timepiece.
The Lime Gold version features green hands and numerals and comes on a green alligator leather strap with grey stitching that is in total harmony the gold. The stainless-steel edition features a white gold fluted bezel, adding an extra level of finesse to the model, and comes with a blue alligator leather strap with blue stitching. Both models feature an engraved caseback with an image of the Villeret.
1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen LE290
Another first for the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere line is the arrival of a chronograph function that can be used to record elapsed time of various operations on the mountain. The new complication is powered by Montblanc’s brand-new MB 29.27 automatic chronograph movement that comes with a central chronograph seconds hand, 30-minute chronograph in a sub dial at three o’clock, and chronograph hour at nine o’clock.
The start/stop pusher is at two o’clock, while the reset button is at four o’clock. The chronograph joins the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere’s unique world time function with its turning globes for both the Northern and Southern hemispheres, a 24 hours scale, a day/night indicator, and a date via a disc.
The dial makers employed an almost-forgotten ancestral technique called gratté boisé to get this spectacular glacial effect. This “Zero Oxygen” timepiece, limited to 290 pieces, has several benefits for explorers who need their equipment to work in some of the harshest environments. Each timepiece comes with a zero oxygen certificate that attests to the fact that the watch has been successfully encased without oxygen. In addition to the certificate, each timepiece undergoes the Maison’s unforgiving 500-hour test.
Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date
The Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date comes with three different dial colours – blue, green, and black – that represent different colours of glacial ice. Blue ice can be found in the Mont-Blanc’s Sea of Ice and is created by the inclusion of air bubbles in the ice, while green ice is found in Antarctica and is the result of the presence of microscopic snow algae blooms. Black ice occurs when the ice has no inclusions or air bubbles, therefore absorbing enough light to appear black. It can also be turned black by deposits of volcanic ash in its structure; examples of which can be seen in the polar regions.
Boasting a 41mm stainless steel case with a bicolor ceramic unidirectional rotating bezel and a case back featuring a 3D relief engraving of an iceberg and a scuba diver exploring the glacial waters below. This image is achieved using an engraving technique that is rarely seen on such a small surface. The collection is powered by an automatic movement and indicates the hours, minutes, seconds, and a date at three o’clock. The timepiece also comes with a recycled and recyclable watch pouch so that the wearer is even better equipped and ready for the next adventure!
Montblanc 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow LE88
In 1927, Minerva was already a leader in the field of pilots’ watches with the introduction of a stopwatch with an internal rotating bezel for countdown timing. This followed, in 1939, by a chronograph wristwatch featuring an external rotating bezel. Today, two of these rare external rotating bezel models are part of Montblanc’s treasured museum collection and are the inspiration behind this new 1858 Minerva Monopusher Chronograph Red Arrow LE88.
The timepiece comes in a 42mm stainless steel case with a special engraving on the case back and is completed by a black alligator leather strap with beige stitching. This limited edition of 88 pieces is a beautiful reminder of the courageous men and women who took to the skies in the early days of aviation.
Live Photography: Gustavo Kuri
