Montblanc launched the Iced Sea Collection for the first time in 2022, with dials inspired by the glacial ice of the Mer de Glace in the Mont Blanc massif. A technique called gratté-boisé was used for the first time for the ‘iced’ dials. As the watches have been so popular, the Iced Sea is now becoming a collection in its own right. As part of this year’s Watches & Wonders 2024, Montlanc is presenting three new Iced Sea models – with new dial colours and a serious diver’s watch that is water-resistant to a depth of 4810 metres.
It is no coincidence that Montblanc has opted for water resistance to a depth of 4810 metres. Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in the Alps, measures 4810 metres. However, the new extreme diver’s watch was tested to a depth of 6,000 metres – because according to the criteria of the ISO 6425 standard, the stated water resistance may only be 25% below the test result.
The case of the new Montblanc Iced Sea 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 is made of titanium with a diameter of 43 mm and a height of 19.4 mm. The crown is screwed down and fitted with a protective shield. The case back is decorated with a three-dimensional engraving designed to represent the diver’s perspective under the ice. The effect is created using laser-generated oxidation, resulting in a three-dimensional, coloured relief.
The dial is inspired by the ice of the Mer de Glace, one of the largest glaciers in the Mont Blanc massif. A special technique called gratté-boisé gives the dial the depth of looking into the glacier ice. The blue colour is achieved by the so-called sfmuato effect. The hands, indices and the dot at 12 o’clock are coated with blue Super-Luminova.
In the new Montblanc Iced Sea 0 Oxygen Deep 4810, oxygen has also been completely removed from the inside of the case, which means that the watch does not fog up in the event of extreme temperature fluctuations, but the metallic components do not oxidise either. This extends the service life of the components, which has a positive effect on the precision of the watch. Inside runs the COSC-certified automatic manufacture movement MB 29.29 with a power reserve of five days. The date display is located at 3 o’clock. The new Montblanc Iced Sea 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 is worn on a black rubber strap. Price: 8,900 euros.
The Iced Sea Automatic Date collection was launched by Montblanc in 2022. The collection is now being expanded with two new variants: a bronze-coloured model with a black dial and a stainless steel version with a burgundy-red dial – both dials in a glacier pattern.
In fact, the new dials are in colours that can be found in glaciers. The Iced Sea Automatic Date with a black dial captures the colour of the setting sun over the glacier. The warm bronze colour of the case enhances this effect. The Iced Sea Automatic Date with a burgundy dial is inspired by the deep red colour of the setting sun on the glacier. Here, too, the gratté-boisé technique was used to produce the dials with the glacier pattern. The dial of the two new Iced Sea Automatic Date models features a new Montblanc Iced Sea logo inspired by a historic Minerva export seal.
The 41 mm bronze case (titanium case back) is made of cupro-aluminium, a special alloy of aluminium and copper that is one and a half times more resistant than bronze and highly resistant to corrosion and rust. Nevertheless, it acquires its own patina over time. The bezel is made of anodised aluminium. In the stainless steel version with a burgundy-red dial, the rotating bezel is made of black ceramic.
The new Iced Sea Automatic Date models are powered by the MB 24.17 automatic movement, which is based on the Sellita SW 200 and offers a power reserve of 38 hours. The bronze Iced Sea Automatic Date is worn on a black rubber strap. The stainless steel model comes with a matching steel bracelet. Price: 3,850 euros (bronze) and 3,350 euros (steel).
