his is the fourth time Montblanc has participated in Only Watch and this time around, the Maison is offering so much more than a unique timepiece. The Montblanc Only Watch 2023 timepiece is a one-of-a-kind 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen that is introducing an entirely new middle case material that has captured CO₂ inside. And if that isn’t ‘cool’ enough, 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, or leave it captured in time – it is entirely up to them!

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. Like the intrepid alpinists and adventurers who dedicate their lives to exploring the planet’s mountainous wilderness, this new material is also opening up new paths of exploration.

Reinforcing the world of adventure and exploration, 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.

This Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen Only Watch 2023 one-of-a-kind timepiece joins the Maison’s 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.

The timepiece is powered by 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 timepiece comes with a fluted bi-directional black ceramic bezel with the compass cardinal points and “OW” for “Only Watch” depicting West. The timepiece is fitted with 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, which top material is made of 100% recycled PET.

This year marks the 10th Only Watch charity auction, a biennial event that has raised over CHF/EUR 100 million to date. Only Watch was created in 2005 by Luc Pettavino – and under H.S.H. Prince Albert II of Monaco’s high patronage – to auction one-off timepieces to raise funds to support researchers around the world to accelerate their work to find a cure for Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Thanks to the mobilization of the watch industry, this initiative has become a highlight on the horological calendar for both brands and collectors. Montblanc is honoured to be part of this important journey and hopes that this year’s timepiece will bring as much enjoyment to its future owner as it did to the Montblanc team who worked on bringing it to life.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS

Reference

• Ident. 132299

Movement

• Calibre MB 29.25
• Automatic movement with manufacture worldtime 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

Middle case

• CARBO2 fibre with captured CO2 and satinated finishing, white outline of Mount Everest on the left side with blue emission

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®</sup

Crystal

• Scratch-resistant, domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
• Special joint that allow 0 oxygen inside the watchcase

Back

• Titanium caseback with a 3D laser colour engraving of Mount Everest and rainbow names of the 14 highest peaks of the World

Dimensions

• Diameter = 43.5mm; height = 13mm

Water-resistance

• 10 bar (100m)

Crown

• Black coated fluted stainless steel crown with Montblanc emblem in relief

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

Limited Edition Unique piece