All About the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere

Travelling around the world has never been made easier with this prestigious timepiece that displays the world wrapped around your wrist. The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere is an impressive and innovative timepiece that takes you on a journey around the globe with its striking geographical dial where it shows off both the northern and southern hemispheres of the Earth.

Encapsulating the two distinct hemispheres into a single watch frame, this Montblanc watch is a true treat to look at. Through the spirit of exploration and value of time, the majestic Montblanc 1858 Geosphere is made into existence.

The Story Behind Montblanc 1858 Geosphere

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere collection is made especially to honour outdoor lovers who enjoy mountain climbing, adventure, and exploration as a whole. This series of rugged outdoor timepieces pays extensive tribute to individuals who seek to pursue the famous seven summit challenge of mountain climbing, conquering the highest mountains represented in all the seven continents around the world. This homage can even be seen in the design of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere itself: the location of these seven mountains are indicated as small red dots on the two hemispheres of the watch’s dial. 

The durability of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere perfectly matches the might and will of individuals facing tough challenges, not only in mountain climbing but also in life. Armed with a timepiece that is born from a yearning for adventure, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere will definitely take you to places. 

In this article, we will be taking an in-depth look at one of the earliest models of Montblanc 1858 Geosphere, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286.

Anatomy of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere

Dial

The dial of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 is, without a doubt, its most remarkable asset. Its beige-coloured Arabic numeral hour markers, rectangular indices, and silver squelette hands aptly contrast against the stark black backdrop. The hands and hour markers are also generously coated with Super-LumiNova, an excellent facet of the watch that helps keep it well-illuminated in the dark. Aside from that, this dial also has a small seconds sub-dial located next to the 9 o’clock marker and a compact date aperture placed at 3 o’clock. 

The highlight of this dial, however, is its one-of-a-kind hemisphere design. On the upper and lower sections of the dial, you can find delicate, detailed images of the northern and southern hemispheres respectively. These hemispheres show the locations of the seven highest summits in each continent, represented via small red dots.

Piercing through these two hemispheres are lines that represent the longitude and latitude of all the time zones in the world. As the beige hands of the clock move, these two hemispheres also move along with it. The northern hemisphere turns counterclockwise, while the southern hemisphere turns clockwise, creating an almost mesmerising movement that can keep wearers enraptured for hours. The land formations on the two hemispheres are also painted with Super-LumiNova. This helps ensure a vivid, highly legible watch face even in poor lighting conditions.

Case and Caseback

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 has a case diameter of 42mm, which is a perfect standard measurement for wrists of any size. It is made from stainless steel, which makes it highly resistant to scratches and corrosion. Indeed, one of the best things about stainless steel watches is that they are not only very durable; they also require very little maintenance. 

This case is also equipped with a domed sapphire crystal with a double anti-reflective coating. Aside from protecting the watch face from any scratches and impacts, this sapphire crystal also provides wearers with a clear view of the dial that is unhindered by any light glares or distortions. 

The solid stainless steel caseback of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 is also an exceptionally aesthetic component. It shows off the Montblanc 1858 logo, along with a beautiful, delicately engraved image of the Mont Blanc mountain. 

A small compass that is pierced through with two crossed ice pick-axes is also etched just below the engraving of the Mont Blanc mountain. Finally, carved on the rim of the caseback is a list of the seven highest summits in the world: Denali, Everest, Mount Elbrus, Puncak Jaya, Vinson, Kilimanjaro, and Aconcagua. Taken as a whole, this caseback serves as a wonderful reminder that one of the main reasons for the creation of this timepiece is to pay tribute to all the mountain climbing lovers out there. 

Bezel and Crown

The stylish bezel of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 is crafted from a combination of stainless steel and black ceramic material. Montblanc has also given this bezel a lovely satin finish, enhancing the sleek look of this watch. 

Given that this timepiece is dedicated to adventure and exploration, the placement of a compass around its watch face is very much suitable. The bezel is marked with compass indicators in a soft beige typeface that is easily readable and stands out against the contrasting, black-painted ceramic. This bi-directional compass, which can be turned clockwise and counterclockwise, is a helpful element that can guide you whenever you are lost. 

Located on the right side of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 is a thick, substantial crown. The top of this crown is decorated with the brand’s minimalistic white star emblem. This crown is tightly screwed down, keeping the internal mechanisms of the watch safe from any water leakage or damage. Thanks to the crown and the watch’s screw-down caseback, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere has a solid depth rating of 100 metres. 

Unlike many other chronograph or dive watches, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere has only a single, unguarded crown and does not have any extended pushers or push-buttons. This crown can be used to set the local time and date of the timepiece. Winding the crown up to its first position will help you set the date, hours, and minutes. Winding the crown up to its second position, on the other hand, allows you to set the small seconds sub-dial. 

Movement

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 has more to boast than just an elegant aesthetic. It is also powered by a robust in-house movement, the MB 29.25 Calibre. This automatic movement drives the hands, the two revolving hemispheres, and the date function of this watch. Held together by 26 jewels, the MB 29.25 Calibre produces a solid frequency of 28,800 vibrations per hour (4Hz). It also has a substantial 42-hour power reserve, which is more than enough to last you through the day. 

Strap

Finishing off the handsome look of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 is a high-quality brown leather strap. Woven into place with prominent beige stitching, this supple leather strap gives off a more vintage vibe compared to the advanced machinery that keeps this watch running. 

This strap also comes with a classic buckle made of stainless steel, which keeps the strap securely fastened to your wrist. This buckle is engraved with the name of the Montblanc brand, adding to the refined air of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere. 

Price

Given the high-quality materials used in the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 and its grand, intricate design, it should come as no surprise that this watch comes at a relatively exorbitant price. The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 sells at $5,900 USD. It is a reasonable price for such a fashionable watch that takes you to the seven towering summits of the world. 

Best Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Models

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119286 is indeed a beautiful timepiece in itself, but the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere collection still has much more to offer. This line of watches also offers a number of exquisite limited edition models that any watch collector would love to get their hands on. Each variant is built using different materials, but they all showcase similar designs and exude the same elegant appeal. Here is a short list of the best, limited-edition models offered by the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere:  

1. Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119909 (1858 pieces)

If you are looking for a more outdoorsy Montblanc 1858 Geosphere piece that will definitely help you stand out in the middle of the crowd, then the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB119909 might be a perfect choice. This Montblanc 1858 Geosphere piece is a striking bronze watch, presented in a bronze case that measures 42mm in diameter. This bronze case is both slightly heavier and more durable than stainless steel and is able to survive all sorts of harsh conditions. On top of that, like all bronze watches, this timepiece is capable of developing an alluring patina over time, which makes it especially appealing to watch collectors. 

Fixed on top of the case is a bronze bezel that is fitted with a deep green compass insert made of ceramic. This bezel perfectly complements the watch’s khaki-green dial and is suitably accompanied by a rugged, khaki-green textile strap. 

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere MB119909 is limited to 1858 pieces. It is priced at around $6,600 USD.

2. Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Messner Ref. MB126361 (262 pieces)

Do not feel too blue with Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB126361. This stylish watch is a homage to Reinhold Messner, an Italian mountaineer and explorer. Regarded as the world’s greatest mountaineer of all time, Messner is a legendary adventurer who is known to have trekked mountain peaks reaching as high as 26,200 feet.

Like the previous Montblanc 1858 Geosphere piece, this watch comes in a lovely 42mm bronze case. This is coupled with a compass bezel made of bronze and blue-painted ceramic, along with a blue textile strap and a striking caseback that prides itself on bearing Messner’s engraved signature. 

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB126361 also shows off a lovely blue sunray dial that adds to the watch’s fashionable modern style. Adorned with rose gold hands, hour markers, and the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere’s distinctive two-hemisphere design, this blue-dial watch is protected by a layer of domed sapphire crystal. 

As an exclusive limited-edition watch, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB126361 is limited to just 262 pieces. It retails at $6,600 USD. 

3. Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Ref. MB128257 (858 pieces)

If you want a watch that effortlessly conveys the fact that you mean serious business, check out the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB128257. With its classic all-black palette, this is a timeless watch that is versatile enough for both your next dinner party and your casual everyday routines. 

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB128257 is housed in a black-tone 42mm case made of distressed stainless steel, which makes the timepiece appear even tougher than it already looks. What sets this model apart from its Geosphere brothers is that it gives off a rugged and sleek look, marrying sturdiness and classiness. The black bezel of this watch is also given a lasting Microbille-Poli, bolstering its durability and resistance to scratches. 

This timepiece also shows off a rather different dial colourway compared to the previous Montblanc 1858 Geosphere watches. While the previous models adopted the use of beige-coloured Super-LumiNova, this watch is coated in white lume, maintaining its old-school, black-and-white design. This dial is also guarded by a domed sapphire crystal that has been treated with anti-reflective coatings. 

As a limited-edition watch, only 858 pieces of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Ref. MB128257 were ever produced. It sells at a heftier price of $7,500 USD. 

4. Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Ref. MB125583 (1858 pieces)

Offering a completely different design from its Montblanc 1858 Geosphere brothers, the limited-edition Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Ref. MB125583 presents itself in an impressive bronze ensemble. Its 42mm case is made of bronze material and perfectly paired with a textile strap of a similar colour. A reliable, domed sapphire crystal with an anti-reflective coating protects the jet-black dial. 

Seated on the rim of the dial, you can find a black telemeter scale in black. This is contrasted against squelette hands, Arabic numeral hour markers, and a minute track that all come in a soft beige hue. This dial also contains two black sub-dials with sleek silver hands, which serve as the 60-second and 30-minute counters. 

The most prominent element of this watch is probably its monopusher crown. This crown, which is embellished with the minimalistic star logo of Montblanc, has a push-button that stands out taller than the crowns of other watches from this collection. Wearers can use this monopusher crown to control the watch’s chronograph functions. Unlike other 1858 Geosphere watches, these functions are powered by an automatic in-house MB 25.12 Calibre. Held together by 33 jewels, it has an extended 46-hour power supply. 

There are only 1858 pieces of the Montblanc 1858 Monopusher Chronograph Ref. MB125583 available worldwide. This beautiful chronograph watch has an estimated price tag of $6,500 USD. 

Final Thoughts

The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere MB119286 honours all those who love adventure, exploration, and individuals trekking the seven summit challenge, but it is not just limited to that. With its exceptional craftsmanship and high-quality materials, this is a durable timepiece that caters to individuals of every age and of every hobby.

With its unusual two-hemisphere design, the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere offers you a quick geographical reminder that the world can be in your hands, as long as you have the courage to go for it. If you want a watch that truly allows you to feel the heart of exploration, then the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere should definitely be on your radar. 

All images are courtesy of The Watch Company, unless otherwise stated. 

Photo credits: Montblanc.

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