Even in these challenging conditions, the new Geosphere – which is inspired by South Pole expeditions in Antarctica – didn’t falter. As they crossed the finish line hand-in-hand, Messner and Lecamp checked their watches, which showed the exact same time: 4 hours and 29 minutes of running - a double exploit.
The whole of 2023 has been a marathon for you. What stands out in your mind?
When you run a marathon, it’s the preparation and work you put in to achieve your objective that counts, and it’s been no different here at Montblanc’s Watch Division. So far our efforts have been rewarded and we’ll see the final result in March, at the end of our financial year. The story and concept behind each of our watches are essential. They are central to everything else. The Iced Sea, for example, with its glacier dial, adjustable strap and laser engraving on the case back, is posting double-digit growth despite the slowdown. It’s our best-selling watch.
The watch Simon and I wore for the Antarctic Ice Marathon is a 1,990-piece limited edition that incorporates the “0 Oxygen” concept. People love it because it tells a story and at the same time benefits from technical features that are specific to Montblanc.
As an aside, the teams at Minerva are working flat-out and we’re selling as fast as we produce. Our haute horlogerie watches are also performing very well.
Coming back to the 0 Oxygen, how does the South Pole limited edition differ from the rest of the collection?
Before being different, it rounds out the current collection as it carries on our partnership with Reinhold Messner. He is our Mark Maker – the first mountaineer to have scaled the world’s 14 highest peaks without supplemental oxygen. He was also first to cross the South Pole on foot, covering 2,800 kilometres in 96 days in 1990. Hence the 1,990 pieces in this limited edition, which is inspired by this exploit. Now Reinhold’s son Simon has followed in his father’s footsteps at the South Pole by running his first ever marathon, in the most extreme conditions. Throughout the race, he wore the watch that celebrates his father and exploration. This timepiece is built to withstand all conditions and extreme temperature variations because, with no oxygen inside the case, moisture cannot form. It proves the technical nature of Montblanc watches. The dial is another fascinating aspect. Inspired by a glacier in Antarctica, its turquoise blue represents the colour of glacial ice and the unbelievable cold in this region.
Am I right that you’ve recreated the aurora australis on this watch?
Yes, that’s right. Reinhold Messner told us about the aurora australis he witnessed when crossing the South Pole, so of course we wanted to incorporate this incredible experience into the watch. It’s the most unbelievable natural phenomenon because of the colours: green from nitrogen and blue from oxygen. So you see, even the aurora australis is part of the innovative, philosophical concept behind this Geosphere 0 Oxygen whose case is emptied of oxygen, replaced by nitrogen. A polar landscape showing the aurora australis is engraved on the back of the watch.
Montblanc decorates its case backs using a special technique that achieves a photo-like level of depth and realism. The backs are made from titanium. First the metal has to be structured, meaning the decoration is laser-engraved, reproducing the relief of the design. Laser is also used to create the desired finishes, from matte to glossy. The last stage is to introduce colour by laser oxidation. The degree of oxidation determines the final colour. Montblanc is one of the few Swiss brands to employ this technology on such a large surface.
This titanium Geosphere is the only watch on the market to come with an interchangeable and adjustable V-shaped strap. The 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen South Pole offers original functions, an instantly recognisable design and conveys distinct values. It is a watch with a powerful concept.
Discover Simon Messner's marathon experience here.
