Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date Watch Review
Wednesday - 19 April 2023
Fans of the relatively young 1858 Iced Sea series now have another option to choose from. A grey Alpine glacier-inspired dial achieved by a unique “gratte boise” technique.
The majority of us watch lovers have never been close enough to a glacier to appreciate its intense beauty. The fissures that reveal deposits of minerals and naturally occurring patterns appear to be frozen in time itself. If you’re in the minority, you may have experienced these unique glacial structures and their shimmering veins, fissures and deep grooves that catch the sunlight majestically. If so, you’ll see the resemblance between these beautiful iced structures and the dial of Montblanc’s recently released 1858 Iced Sea watch. The first model was released last year and was inspired by the beauty of one of the Mont Blanc mountain’s largest glaciers named the Mer de Glacé. Even more fitting is the newest addition to the line, which now showcases a grey colour that mirrors the tones of the glacier in changing light. Mineral deposits that have been trapped inside the structure of the glacier for millennia can still be seen with the naked eye. This phenomenon is interpreted in the form of this new Montblanc watch, complete with a 3D engraving of an iceberg upon its caseback.
A special dial technique and intricately engraved caseback
The 1858 watch collection by Montblanc is a first choice for adventure seekers and is a range inspired by mountain exploration. The design of these watches pays homage to 1920’s Minerva pocket watches and chronographs. This Iced Sea extension to the line is heavily based on the unique textures and visual beauty of Mont Blanc’s largest glacier and has been achieved via a special gratte-boise technique. The intricacy of the dial certainly creates the impression of genuine depth. The detail in the design of the watch continues into the back of the case, where a depiction of a scuba diver expiring glacial water below an iceberg has been applied via a laser. This 3D image in relief is executed in a mix of polished and matte finishes.
The finer details of the Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date
The Automatic Date editions of the Montblanc 1858 watch series are undeniably practical and serve as sports watches combined with diver qualities should one wish to utilise it for this. That said, the watch is also ISO certified and has undergone laboratory tests at Montblanc to ensure robustness and reliability. It features a generous treatment of Super-LumiNova to its hands and indexes, as well as a unidirectional rotating bezel that can be used effectively for measuring elapsed time when exploring daring depths of water. To assist with this, the watch case has a screw-down crown and a strong glass top. Crafted from anti-reflective and a scratch-resistant sapphire crystal glass. The surface seals to a case that is integrated with a water-resistant capability of 300 meters.
The 41mm case of the new Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date watch is crafted from stainless steel and creates the impression of gazing into depths of glacial ice thanks to its unique dial effect. It differs from other iterations from the collection in the fact that the bezel is finished in a black ceramic with the first 15 minutes executed in a grey shade. Tested to ensure it is shock-resistant, magnetic-resistant and water-resistant, the three-handed time and date tool is engineered to be visible in all situations. Upon the face, which almost mirrors the look of snow-capped mountains, the Arabic numerals and indexes around the hour track are lume-coated, as are the central hour and minute hands. You can also track the dates within the month via an aperture located at 3 o’clock. The dots at 12 o’clock on the bezel are also luminous.
An interchangeable and adjustable stainless steel bracelet or supple black rubber band completes the look of this 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date watch from Montblanc. The rubber bracelet also features stylish stitching that matches the colour of the dial. Lastly, beating inside the robust case of this new Montblanc outdoors watch is the Automatic MB 24.17/SW200. It provides a 38-hour power reserve and performs at a rate of 28,800 vibrations per hour whilst concealed behind the unique 3D laser-engraved motif on the back.
If you’d like more information on the new Montblanc 1858 Iced Sea Automatic Date watch, you can call and speak to a member of our Jura Watches sales team today on 01335 453453, or check the watch out in more detail here.
