Jewellery & Watch News
Montblanc’s iconic 1858 Geosphere watch meets the Gobi Desert in their latest limited edition release. Still characterised by the two domed turning hemisphere globes and in-house worldtime complication, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert Limited Edition takes inspiration from legendary mountaineer Reinhold Messner and his five-week solo trek across the Gobi with a new smoked brown and bronze aesthetic.
Since its release, the Montblanc 1858 collection has commemorated the professional Minerva chronographs from the 1920’s and 30’s which were originally engineered for military use. The modern-day interpretations continue to be inspired by the spirit of exploration. One example can be seen in last year’s Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Blue Limited Edition which is dedicated to the Seven Summits Challenge with an icy aesthetic inspired by glaciers, ice, and snowy mountain environments. For 2021, Montblanc have partnered up with Reinhold Messner who was the first to trek solo across the Gobi Desert, Asia’s largest desert which spans 1,600km across China and Mongolia. As you’d expect, the experience was physically and mentally trying and an act of self-determination with an uncertain outcome. His fortitude and resilience is celebrated today in the new Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert Limited Edition.
Replicating the rocky terrain colour scheme, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert watch features a satin-finished case engineered from a special alloy of bronze with slim curved lugs and a shiny brown ceramic bronze bezel. The bezel is complemented by knurled finishing for easy manipulation and engraved with cardinal points coated in Superluminova. The case measures to 42 millimetres in diameter and 12.8 millimetres in height and is topped by domed sapphire crystal glass treated with anti-reflective treatment and a vintage-style brown Sfumato calfskin leather strap with beige stitching. A matching bronze alloy crown with fluted finishing and the Montblanc emblem in relief delivers a water resistance of 100 metres.
For many, the case back of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert Limited Edition is where some of the brand’s greatest prowess takes place. Remaining inspired by Reinhold Messner’s 2004 trek, the case back reveals a unique engraving of Gobi Desert’s famous Flaming Cliffs, also known as Bayanzag. This very sight was on Messner’s route as he crossed Northern Asia and is also the spot to some of the region’s most significant paleontological discoveries. The back also depicts an image of a wind rose compass whose patterns are inspired by traditional Mongolian ornaments. To achieve the depth and realism of the case back and its three-dimensional texture, Montblanc have used a special technique which involves engraving titanium with a laser. The colouring is also created using laser-generated oxidation and to no surprise, Montblanc is one of just a few Swiss Maisons to have used this technology on such a large surface.
The Gobi desert continues to inspire the dial of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert Limited Edition watch. The desert is a combination of sand and exposed bare rock, two shades brought to life through the smoked lacquered dial which fades from brown to beige. The lacquered finishing is combined with warm rose gold coated hands and applied indexes treated with glow in the dark Superluminova. The central hands for hours and minutes are cathedral shaped, remaining inspired by the original 1920’s Minerva chronographs, and paired with a smoked small seconds dial at 9 o’clock and a blacked out date window at 3 o’clock.
Calling for the most attention on the dial is the two hemisphere globes positioned at 12 and 6 o’clock, also coated in Superluminova. Powered by the Manufacture automatic Calibre MB 29.25, the globes deliver a completely unique way of reading different time zones surrounded by a fixed scale with the 24 hour markings. The anti-clockwise turning globe at 12 o’clock denotes the northern hemisphere and the clockwise turning globe at 6 o’clock indicates the southern hemisphere. Both globes also come with day and night indication. The in-house Calibre MB 29.25 continues to impress with 26 rubies, a frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour and a running time of approximately 42 hours.
Limited to only 100 pieces and retailing at £5,400, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert watch isn’t expected to stick around for long. If you’d like to learn more or order your own, head over to the C W Sellors website here or contact us on 01335 453453.
Specifications: Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Gobi Desert Limited Edition (MB128504)
- Case Size: 42mm
- Case Material: Special alloy of bronze
- Bezel: Bronze with brown ceramic, engraved cardinal points with Superluminova
- Glass: Domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective treatment
- Crown: Screw in
- Case Back: Bronze-coated titanium with special engraving
- Water Resistance: 100 metres
- Movement: MB 29.25 automatic calibre
- Functions: Hours, minutes, small seconds, date, turning Northern and Southern hemisphere globes with 24 hour scale and day-night indication
- Power Reserve: 42 hours
- Jewels: 26
- Frequency: 28,800vph
- Dial: Smoked brown to beige, lacquered with rose-gold coloured numerals and hands
- Strap: Brown Sfumato calfskin leather with beige stitching
- Buckle: Folding, bronze-coated stainless steel
- RRP: £5,400
- Limited Edition: 100 pieces
