Watches and Wonders 2022: Montblanc's homage to Mount Everest

The German luxury watch maker takes to new heights with a timepiece dedicated to the Mount Everest 

Inspired by the great alps of Switzerland, Montblanc’s creations are steeply rooted in the country’s rich mountaineering legacy. The brand continues to look to the mountains for inspiration this year, presenting a new reference that pays homage to mountain adventures. 

The Montblanc builds the 1858 Geosphere Chronograph 0 Oxygen LE290 for extreme conditions and altitudes. Rather than terrain in Switzerland, Montblanc’s latest creation sets its sights on scaling the world’s tallest peak, Mount Everest. 

The chronograph timepiece provides essential timekeeping functions for mountaineers. Among the functions include 30-minute and 12-hour counters, positioned on the subdials at three and six o’clock. 

A compilation made for the globetrotter, the Northern and Southern hemispheres are presented at the top and bottom of the dial, providing 24-hour time with day/night indication. 

Also see: Watches and Wonders 2022: Hermès nods to heritage in iconic timepiece

Powering the functions is an automatic movement with a 48-hour power reserve.

But perhaps what’s most notable about the timepiece; there’s no oxygen captured inside behind the sapphire crystal face. This unique execution means the watch will not fog up or collect condensation, even under the most trying weather and exposure to extreme elements. 

The 44 mm titanium case provides lightweight comfort to adventurers, and the bi-direction cardinal points help anchor position for climbers. The markers on the bezel and dial are all treated with a luminous coating to ensure legibility in pitch darkness. 

The watchmaker etches a love note to Everest on the back of the watch– there is an engraving of Reinhold Messner’s route up Mount Everest. And as a further nod to Everest’s treacherous  29,031 feet climb, the piece is limited to 290 worldwide. 

To complement the blue glacial pattern on the dial, Montblanc has chosen to complete the timepiece with a leather strap in blue adorned with white stitching. 

Also see: Watches and Wonders 2022: Chanel flexes with first in-house flying tourbillon