Montblanc’s new sports diving watch in steel comes with an eye-catching “frozen” dial and an interchangeable and adjustable tapered bracelet.
Available in three dial themes, the 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date dive watch draws inspiration from the glacial lakes of the Mont-Blanc Massif.
Located in Chamonix Valley, the Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) is the largest glacier in France. The dial of each 1858 Iced Sea watch evokes texture of the glacial ice with its interlocking network of crystals that have been frozen in time for millennia.
Due to the thinness of dial (0.5 mm), it was very challenging to create the illusion of looking into the depth of a glacier. After several trials, the Maison found a technical solution to create an impression of genuine depth and luminosity. The dial makers employed an almost-forgotten ancestral technique called gratté boisé as the base.
This timepiece includes the addition of an interchangeable v-shaped stainless-steel bracelet which can be quickly and easily switched for a rubber strap without the need to return to the boutique or the use of any tools. Not only is the bracelet interchangeable, but it is also adjustable on the wrist, so each owner can find their perfect fit, especially when wearing it over a wet suit.
The stainless-steel bracelet also comes with an attractive taper of 20 – 16mm and is secured by a double deployant buckle. To find tapered bracelets at this price point is quite rare due to the fact that they are more complicated and expensive to manufacture, but it makes all the difference as they bring an element of character and elegance to the Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date. Stainless steel and rubber were also the materials of choice thanks to their durability in a salty water environment.
The Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date is a certified diving timing instrument, conforming to the ISO 6425 norm. In addition to this important safety certification, each timepiece has undergone the Montblanc Laboratory 500 Hour Test to ensure that it is shock, magnetic, temperature, and water-resistant (30 bar) and that its fasteners are reinforced for maximum security.
Montblanc has also incorporated white Super-Luminova® on the hands, indexes, and dot at 12 o’clock, which all glow in a luminescent shade in low light, keeping with the glacial theme.
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.
Each timepiece comes in 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 engraving begins with the metal being structured by laser to create a 3D relief image that provides depth and realism.
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.
The retail price of Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date in US is $2,975/- for the model with rubber strap and $3,190/- with stainless steel bracelet.
Technical details
Model: Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date
Movement
Calibre MB 24.17/SW200
Automatic movement
Number of rubies 26
Power Reserve Approx. 38 hours
Balance Flat hoop
Frequency 28,800 A/h (4 Hz)
Hairspring Flat
Displays
Hour, minute and seconds from the centre, date at 3 o’clock
Habillage
Case
Stainless steel case with curved horns featuring polished and satinated finishing
Bezel: Knurled ceramic unidirectional turning bezel
Crystal: Round crystal sapphire colourless multilayer anti-reflective inside and outside
Case-back: Plain stainless steel screwed case back with iceberg and diver 3D engraving
Diameter = 41mm
Height = 12.9mm
Water-resistance 30 bar (300m)
Stainless steel crown with polished and fluted finishing
Montblanc emblem in relief
Certification
Certified by the Montblanc Laboratory Test 500H
Suggested retail price
US$2,975/- with rubber strap
US$3,190/- with stainless steel bracelet
Versions
Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date with Blue Glacial Pattern Dial
Bezel
Knurled ceramic unidirectional turning bezel with shot blasting in bi-coloured blue Super-Luminova® with blue emission on the dot
Dial
Polished charcoal blue coloured, lacquered dial with icy impression, rhodium coated and blue coloured luminescent applied Arabic numerals, rhodium coated and blue coloured luminescent cathedral shaped hour and minute hands
Black date on white background
Strap
Ident. 129369: Interchangeable stainless steel bracelet with double deployant buckle and adjustable strand (20-16mm)
Ident. 129370: Interchangeable blue rubber strap with black lining and stainless steel double deployant buckle with adjustable strand (20-18mm) –
Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date with Black Glacial Pattern Dial
Bezel
Knurled ceramic unidirectional turning bezel with shot blasting in bi-coloured black
Super-Luminova® with blue emission on the dot
Dial
Polished charcoal black coloured, lacquered dial with icy impression, rhodium coated and blue coloured luminescent applied Arabic numerals, rhodium coated and blue coloured luminescent cathedral shaped hour and minute hands
Black date on white background
Strap
Ident. 129371: Interchangeable stainless steel bracelet with double deployant buckle and adjustable strand (20-16mm)
Ident. 129372: Interchangeable black rubber strap with black lining and stainless steel double deployant buckle with adjustable strand (20-18mm)
Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date with Green Glacial Pattern Dial
Bezel
Knurled ceramic unidirectional turning bezel with shot blasting in bi-coloured green Super-Luminova® with blue emission on the dot
Dial
Polished charcoal green coloured, lacquered dial with icy impression, rhodium coated and blue coloured luminescent applied Arabic numerals, rhodium coated and blue coloured luminescent cathedral shaped hour and minute hands
Black date on white background
Strap
Ident. 129373: Interchangeable stainless steel bracelet with double deployant buckle and adjustable strand (20-16mm)
Ident. 129765: Interchangeable black rubber strap with black lining and stainless steel double deployant buckle and adjustable strand (20-18mm)
