Inspired by the vintage Minerva watches from the 1920s and 30s that were once used in the military, the 1858 collection pays tribute to the 160 years of the Minerva Manufacture and its extraordinary heritage. The Montblanc 1858 timepieces uses design elements from historic models and redevelops them for the new ‘sports’ watch category, mountaineering. Previously in a variation of metals, stainless steel and bronze, the latest edition is now available in rose gold.
Review: new Montblanc 1858 Worltime Geosphere in Gold
The Worldtime Geosphere was designed for the modern-day explorer who likes to set his own challenges. It is purposed as a travel complication, but with a less commonly seen world time display.
The Case and Dial
The satin-finished case measures 42 mm in diameter and 12.8 mm in height. A set of tapered and chamfered lugs with a contrasting polished edge is used for a more nuanced look. The case also features a bi-directional ceramic bezel with fluted edges. A matching crown with distinct fluted edges is also used. The new edition comes in a 18k rose gold case with black lacquered dial.
The dial design continues the theme of the vintage timepiece, with patina coloured lume and hour indices. The contrasting Arabic numerals are coated with SuperLumiNova®. Other design elements brought back from the past include the squelette hands, railway minute track and the original Montblanc logo from the 1930s.
This timepiece features a worldtime complication with two turning domed hemisphere globes, which make a full rotation in 24 hours. The northern hemisphere at 12 o’clock turns anticlockwise, while the southern hemisphere turns clockwise. They are both surrounded by a scale with the 24 time zones, along with a day/night indication in contrasting colours. The longitude reference meridian for both hemispheres is highlighted with a white line coated with SuperLumiNova®. Additionally, a second time zone display is located at nine o’clock and a date (linked to the local time) is indicated in an aperture at three o’clock.
SuperLumiNova® has also been applied to the continents for increased visibility and performance at night. The black dial of the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere features contrasting colours with the addition of red gold-coated elements.
On the back of the watch, we see a caseback with the “Spirit of Mountain Exploration” engraving.
The Worldtime Geosphere is available in stainless steel, bronze and now in 18k rose gold.
The Movement
Hidden beneath the closed case back is a self-winding caliber MB 29.25. The movement is based on the SW300 with 42 hours power reserve and a modified modular duo hemisphere world timer. In addition to the world timer, there is also a very useful 24hour day night indicator which especially comes in handy when resetting the time.
Concluding thoughts
The Geosphere is a robust timepiece that looks good, but may not be the most instinctive tool watch. Travel timepieces may fare better with more instinctive readability. That said, the watch fares well in the aesthetics department, with a unique luminous duo hemisphere dial and an attractive gold case.
1 Comment
“Worltime”? You need a “d”.