Montblanc has created a unique edition of the 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen model for the Only Watch 2023 charity auction.
This is the fourth time Montblanc has participated in Only Watch. The Montblanc Only Watch 2023 is a one-of-a-kind 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen that is introducing an entirely new middle case material that has captured CO2 inside.
Moreover, the unique piece is encased in a block of ice (safe breakable glass) without oxygen inside, which means the watch’s future owner will need to smash it open with an ice pick to get to it.
The new case material is created using a pioneering technological development that captures CO2 from biogas production and mineral wastes from recycling factories, thanks to a process of calcium dissolution and carbonation.
The obtained powder containing CO2 is then combined with ultra-light and –resistant carbon fibre. Thus creating an innovative composite material shaped exclusively into a watch middle case: the CARBO2.
In addition to the technological aspect of the case, the CARBO2 resulting material has a unique graphic aesthetic, with its dark shades depending on the particular mix of carbon fibre and CO2 , lending itself perfectly to the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen.
The 43.5mm case comes with a luminous glacier blue outline of Mount Everest on the side that only the wearer can see. The older glaciers are, the less oxygen they contain and the denser they become, resulting in a deeper blue colour that has been depicted here on the case band, shining white by day and luminous blue by night.
A beautiful picture of Mount Everest also adorns the titanium case back using Montblanc’s 3D laser technique that depicts the colour, depth and realism of this natural wonder.
Next to Mount Everest, the 13 other highest peaks of the World are mentioned and marked in colour in tribute to alpinists who dared to climb them.
The unique 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Only Watch 2023 joins the new Montblanc series of “Zero Oxygen” timepieces and will introduce a new collection based on this piece that will be revealed in April 2024.
Like all of Montblanc’s 0 Oxygen pieces, this unique piece features several benefits for explorers who need their equipment to work in harsh environments. Zero oxygen inside the case not only eliminates fogging, which can occur with drastic temperature changes at altitude, but also prevents oxidization.
Without oxygen, all the components last longer and will provide unfaltering precision over time. Each zero oxygen timepiece comes with a certificate as proof of this special, yet invisible, technology and guarantees that it has been successfully encased without oxygen.
Inside this unique creation beats the MB 29.25 automatic movement with Montblanc’s Manufacture worldtime complication, which includes turning Northern and Southern Hemisphere globes, a 24-hour scale, Day & Night indications, dual time display, and a date.
The fluted bi-directional black ceramic bezel features the compass cardinal points and “OW” for “Only Watch” depicting West.
The timepiece boasts an electric blue glacier pattern dial and the worldtime meridians in a spectrum of colours, in keeping with Only Watch’s 2023 rainbow colour theme. Completing the look is a black interchangeable textile strap made of 100% recycled PET.
In addition to the timepiece, the lucky bidder will receive an ice pick from Montblanc’s Mark Maker, world record-breaking alpinist Nimsdai Purja.
Nimsdai is the fastest man to climb all 14 of the world’s highest peaks above 8000 metres, a record he broke in six months and six days. He also ascended Mount Everest without supplementary oxygen for a collaboration with Montblanc in 2022.
For this unique piece, Nimsdai has donated his ice pick and written a note to the watch’s future owner about how he sees the world in 100 years. This hand-written note, along with the watch, has been encased in a zero-oxygen ice-like capsule.
Technical details
Model: Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen CARBO2 Only Watch 2023 Unique Piece, Ident. 132299
Movement
Calibre MB 29.25
Automatic movement with Manufacture world-time complication
Number of jewels: 26
Power reserve: Approx. 42 hours
Displays
Worldtime with turning northern and southern hemisphere globes, 24-hour scale and Day & Night indication, Dual time indication; Date by disc
Habillage
Case
Middle case: CARBO2 fibre with captured CO2 and satinated finishing, white outline of Mount Everest on the left side with blue emission
Diameter: 43.5mm
Height: 13mm
Bezel: Bi-directional black ceramic bezel, knurled finishing and engraved cardinal points coated with a special OW(Only Watch) indication, blue emission of Super-LumiNova®1
Crystal: Scratch-resistant, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating; Special joint that allow 0 oxygen inside the watchcase
Black coated fluted stainless steel crown with Montblanc emblem in relief
Titanium caseback with a 3D laser colour engraving of Mount Everest and rainbow names of the 14 highest peaks of the World
Water-resistance 10 bar (100m)
Dial
Electric blue glacier pattern dial with white luminescent black rhodium-coated Arabic numerals and indexes, white luminescent rhodium-coated hours and minutes hands, white luminescent dual time hand, luminescent Northern and Southern hemispheres globes with rainbow coloured meridians
White date on black background
Strap
Black Interchangeable textile strap with rope pattern and double-folding clasp with fine adjustment system
Edition
Unique piece
