Earlier today, Montblanc unveiled its new “UltraBlack” collection — which includes pens, wallets, bags, and, naturally, a timepiece.
This launch was made in conjunction with the announcement of new celebrity ambassadors, including Spike Lee. Another of the new ambassadors, Peaky Blinders star, Cillian Murphy, (pictured above), modeled the limited edition UltraBlack timepiece.
Montblanc gave the 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited Edition stainless steel case — which measures the same 42 mm x 12.8 mm as past models — a black-coating, with a special satin finish that has a distressed gray appearance. The look is achieved by manual washing and brushing of the case after the coating has been applied, giving each watch its own unique patina.
The dial is all black, although white or gray elements were also used for the applied Arabic numerals and indices, the cathedral-shaped hands, the flange, the Montblanc logo, the 0-60 minutes/seconds outer scale, for markings on the dual globes, and the date wheel — which makes this not truly an “all-black” timepiece. Clearly the tradeoff of not completely blacking out every element — is legibility.
As with existing models of the 1858 Geosphere that we’ve previously covered, the marquee feature is the Villeret (owned by Montblanc) developed complication that uses two domed globes, one for the northern hemisphere and the other for the southern hemisphere, turning in opposite directions, which complete a full rotation in 24 hours. Both have divisions showing 24 time zones, along with coordinating individual day/night indications.
The movement itself, caliber MB 29.25, is based on Sellita automatic caliber SW300-1 which operates at 4Hz has 26 jewels, and a 42-hour power reserve. In addition to the unique dual worldtime indications, there’s a second time indication located in a subdial at 9 o’clock, and a date display located at 3 o’clock. There’s no running seconds hand.
Engraved in the center of the solid caseback is a drawing of the Mont Blanc mountain, two crossing ice picks, and a compass surrounded by all seven summits: Mount-Everest, Aconcagua, Denali, Kilimanjaro, Elbrus, Vinson, Puncak Jaya.
Surrounding the dial is a stainless steel bi-directional rotating compass bezel — with what Montblanc calls a “Microbille-Poli” finish for the insert — that can be used with the hour hand and the sun to determine your bearing. You simply aim the hour hand at the sun, and halfway between the hand and 12 o’clock is South. This is something that can be achieved with most traditional analog timepieces, however, here, the bezel comes into play as it can help you continually mark your direction, without having to recalibrate as often.
A black leather two-stitch strap, that measures 22 mm wide at the lugs, secured by a deployant clasp, completes the look. The 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack retail price is $6,900 and is available in a limited edition of 858 pieces.
Learn more at Montblanc.
Photos by Montblanc.
