Montblanc Summits To The Top Of The World With The 8000 Capsule Collection
5 min read
Transcending the higher summits of craftsmanship and exemplifying the Maison’s adventurous spirit, Montblanc has unveiled a new capsule collection of timepieces. Launched at Watches and Wonders 2023, the new Montblanc 8000 Capsule Collection pays tribute to the world’s 14 highest peaks and the inspiring alpinists who dared to climb them.
Mountains exemplify Montblanc’s core adventurous ethos and even the name of the Maison is derived from the famous peak in the Alps. The Montblanc emblem depicts a bird’s eye view image of Montblanc’s peak and since its inception, has led the brand to elevate its mechanical, adventurous, and spiritual ethos.
A collection that evokes true mountaineering spirit
It was Reinhold Messner who first summited all 14 peaks without supplemental oxygen during the years 1970 and 1986, while Nimsdai Purja, is the recent adventurer triumphant in repeating the feat in 2019.
Montblanc 1858 Zero Oxygen The 8000
For the four timepieces launched at Watches and Wonders as part of the Montblanc 1858 Zero Oxygen 8000 Capsule Collection, specialist features reinforce their adventure worthiness and allow the timepieces to function as tools for the mountaineers operating 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. The absence of oxygen within the case improves the longevity of the inner workings and facilitates extended standards of precision chronometry. A certificate of proof that accompanies each timepiece comes as a testament to this novel innovation.
The Sfumato effect combined with the glacier dial
A Sfumato dark grey Glacier pattern dial is featured in each timepiece of the Montblanc 1858 Zero Oxygen 8000 Capsule Collection. This feature replicates the color of the rock and ice at 8000 meters which gradually darkens towards the dial periphery. This Sfumato effect is an effect created by a heritage technique from Italy.
A special technique that requires over 20 separate steps called gratté-boisé is provided at the base to serve the glacial pattern. This creates an impression of depth and luminosity within the timepiece launched at Watches and Wonders.
Orange Touches
Replicating the high-viz orange prominently featured on mountaineering outfits and equipment, the dials of these watches have subtle touches of orange that create a stand-out effect against the icy grey background.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen The 8000 Limited Edition 290 - 44mm
Nimsdai Purja’s record-breaking ascent to Everest with the first Montblanc 1858 0 Oxygen timepiece in May 2022 without supplemental oxygen, serves as the inspiration for the latest edition of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen The 8000. The watch is limited to 290 pieces.
The Calibre MB 29.27 powers the watch and offers a multitude of adventure-friendly functions like the automatic chronograph with world time complication. The watch boasts a power reserve of approx. 46 hours. The timepiece includes two 3D turning globes with the Northern Hemisphere at 12 o’clock and the Southern Hemisphere at six o’clock. The North Hemisphere features 14 orange dots, marking the location of the 8000m peaks, surrounded by Day & Night indicators. Both hemispheres feature orange color markings to showcase the Greenwich reference meridian for a hassle-free world time function setting.
The chronograph functions on this timepiece constructed on a 44mm titanium case are made up of a central chronograph seconds hand, a 30-minute chronograph counter at three o’clock, and a 12-hour chronograph counter at nine o’clock - all with orange-tipped hands. The chronograph is operated via pushers on either side of the crown. There is also a date at three o’clock and a glacial blue luminescence added to the hours, minutes, numerals, indexes, continents, and cardinal points of the bezel for visibility at night.
The zero oxygen watch comes with a fluted bi-directional black ceramic bezel with cardinal points and a 3D-colored laser engraving on the caseback. A choice of interchangeable anthracite textile strap is provided for the timepiece which derives its inspiration from the simple rope which holds an imperative role for any mountaineer.
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen The 8000 - 42mm
Inspired by the remarkable feats of Montblanc’s Mark Maker Reinhold Messer, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen The 8000 is released at Watches and Wonders as a tribute piece to the daring adventurer.
The timepiece derives its power from the MB 29.25 automatic movement with Manufacture world time complication, highlighting rotatable Northern and Southern Hemisphere globes, a 24-hour scale, Day & Night indications, dual time display, and a date complication. The well-proportioned 42mm titanium case of the watch features a fluted bi-directional black ceramic bezel with cardinal points and is fitted with a Sfumato dark grey glacier pattern dial with orange accents. The watch is born on an interchangeable titanium bracelet with a taper and fine adjustment mechanism.
The inscription of K2 on the case back was chosen by Reinhold Messner himself. A 3D laser engraving of the K2 serves as a definition and depth to the inscription.
Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph 0 Oxygen The 8000 - 42mm
The “zero oxygen” case innovation continues with the Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph 0 Oxygen The 8000 powered by the MB 25.13 automatic chronograph movement with a power reserve of approx. 48 hours. The 42mm case this time is constructed from stainless steel and is adorned with a fluted bi-directional black ceramic bezel with the cardinal points; a dark grey Sfumato glacier patterned dial; and blue luminescence on the hour and minute hands, applied Arabic numerals, and cardinal points.
Showcasing the indications of chronograph time recording are the black seconds’ counter at nine o’clock, a central chronograph seconds hand with an orange tip, and a 30-minute chronograph counter at three o’clock. The case back is engraved with the “Spirit of Exploration” pattern and the watch is paired with an interchangeable tapered stainless steel bracelet with a fine adjustment system.
Montblanc 1858 Automatic Date 0 Oxygen The 8000 - 41mm
Another iteration of the collection launched at Watches and Wonders 2023, the 1858 Montblanc Automatic Date 0 Oxygen The 8000 comes in a 41mm stainless steel case, again without oxygen, and features a fixed black ceramic bezel with the cardinal points. Consistent with the collection, the dial is fitted with a dark grey Sfumato glacier pattern and includes applied Arabic numerals; a central seconds hand; a date at three o’clock; as well as blue luminescence on the hour and minute hands, numerals, and cardinal points. This time the orange highlights occur on every 15-minute indication and an interchangeable tapered stainless steel bracelet with a fine adjustment system completes the package. The case back features the engraving of “Spirit of Exploration”. The watch is powered by the automatic caliber MB 24.15 with approx. 38 hours of power reserve.
Each of the four models in this capsule collection is a celebration of Montblanc’s mountaineering passion and an honest ode to the remarkable feats of the daredevils who have summited all 14 peaks which measure over 8000 meters.
