Watches and Wonders 2024: Montblanc Forges Its 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Carbo2 In An Innovative CO2 Infused Case

Montblanc's 1858 Geosphere collection takes inspiration from historic Minerva tools, crafting timepieces built for the harsh realities of mountain exploration. Their latest addition, the 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen, pushes the boundaries of innovation just like an intrepid climber scales a peak. The watch presented at Watches and Wonders 2024 features a cutting-edge case construction.

A Case Made from Thin Air

The 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Carbo2 boasts a revolutionary case material. Montblanc captures CO2 emissions from biogas production and recycled materials, transforming them into a calcium carbonate powder. This powder is then fused with ultra-light, strong carbon fiber to create Carbo2, a groundbreaking composite used in the watch's middle case.

Aesthetics Inspired by Adventure

The resulting Carbo2 material isn't just innovative - it's visually striking. Deep shades, influenced by the carbon fiber and calcium carbonate mix, mirror the hues of a mountain glacier. This unique aesthetic complements the adventurous spirit of the watch. A closer look reveals a subtle engraving on the 43.5mm titanium and Carbo2 case - a luminous blue outline of Mont Blanc, visible only to the wearer. Luminescence and varnish, meticulously applied by hand, create this effect that glows white by day and blue at night. The titanium caseback showcases another artistic marvel - a 3D laser-etched image of Mont Blanc, capturing the mountain's depth and realism.

A World of Functionality

Powering this marvel is the MB 29.25 automatic movement, featuring Montblanc's ingenious worldtime complication. This complication displays rotating Northern and Southern Hemisphere globes with blue Greenwich meridian lines, along with markers for the world's 8,000-meter peaks. The watch also boasts a day/night indicator, a 24-hour scale, dual time display, and a date function.

The bi-directional titanium ceramic fluted bezel boasts blue luminescent cardinal points, perfectly complementing the blue gasket beneath the sapphire crystal. The black sfumato glacier pattern dial, reminiscent of frozen crystals, captures the essence of a mountain glacier. This intricate dial is crafted using gratté-boisé, a time-consuming technique that takes four times longer than standard methods.

A Finishing Touch for the Climber's Wrist

The 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Carbo2 introduced at Watches and Wonders 2024 is completed with a black interchangeable rubber strap, featuring a taper and a fine adjustment system. The strap's pattern echoes the textiles used by mountaineers, a final detail that reinforces the watch's connection to the spirit of exploration.