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Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited Edition Mens Watch
Ref. 128257
Sits in Montblanc’s upper tier here — more premium than three quarters of the Montblanc watches we list, which start at £2,300.
Price range £2,300 to £7,200 across 16 Montblanc watches in stock.The 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack takes its cues from Minerva's military and exploration watches of the 1920s and 1930s. The 42mm distressed stainless steel case is paired with a domed sapphire crystal finished with double anti-reflective coating, keeping the dial readable without glare. That dial is all black, with rhodium-coated Arabic numerals and indices treated with white luminescent material, alongside two 24-hour sub-dials and a date display. The MB 29.25 automatic movement runs to 26 jewels with a 42-hour power reserve. A black leather strap with a traditional buckle completes the watch.
- Reference
- 128257
- Brand
- Montblanc
- Collection
- 1858
- Case size
- 42mm
- Case material
- Stainless steel
- Case shape
- Round
- Dial
- Black
- Crystal
- Sapphire
- Movement
- Automatic
- Calibre
- MB 29.25
- Functions
- Date
- Water resistance
- 100m
- Bracelet / strap
- Leather strap
- Strap colour
- Black
- Clasp
- Buckle
- Lume
- Luminous
- Retailer
- Mappin & Webb
Additional specifications
- Power reserve
- 42 hours
Learn more about Montblanc
Montblanc was founded in Hamburg in 1906 as a fountain pen manufacturer, and the six-pointed white star that marks its products represents the snow-capped summit of the mountain. It entered watchmaking in 1997, initially as a luxury accessory line.
That changed decisively in 2007, when Richemont transferred the Minerva manufacture in Villeret to Montblanc. Minerva, founded in 1858, was one of the great chronograph specialists — it had produced its own monopusher chronograph calibres since 1908, including movements capable of measuring to a hundredth of a second, and had continued making them by traditional methods long after the industry mechanised.
Montblanc inherited that capability along with the tooling, archives, and watchmakers. The Villeret and 1858 collections now house Minerva-derived calibres with their distinctive devil's tail chronograph bridges, screwed balance wheels, and hand-finished components — genuine high horology at a house most people associate with pens.
The volume side of the business, produced at Le Locle, covers the Heritage, Star Legacy, and TimeWalker lines, and the 1858 Geosphere with its twin rotating hemisphere globes has become the signature model.
Montblanc has also pursued smartwatches through the Summit range and remains part of Richemont.
- 1906
- Founded in Hamburg as a fountain pen manufacturer.
- 1997
- Watchmaking begins at Le Locle.
- 2007
- The Minerva manufacture at Villeret is transferred to Montblanc.
- 2018
- The 1858 Geosphere becomes the signature model.
Also in 5 collections
This watch appears in the Montblanc 1858 range (7), Stainless Steel Watches (3,088), Automatic Watches (1,763), Leather Strap Watches (1,005) and Limited Edition Watches (209).
What the specifications mean
A mechanical watch for everyday wear.
Strengths
- 100m water resistance covers swimming and watersports
- Sapphire crystal, which resists scratching
- Luminous hands and markers for low light
- One of Montblanc's more premium watches
Worth knowing
- Leather does not suit regular contact with water
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere UltraBlack Limited alternatives
Watches from other brands at a similar price, style and size, so you can see what else your budget can buy.
| Specification | 128257 | N3200.40T03.P01.R01 | L38215592 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Price | £6,000 | £6,050 | £5,900 |
| Case size | 42mm | 42mm | 42mm |
| Water resistance | 100m | 100m | 100m |
| Movement | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic |
| Strap | Leather strap | Rubber strap | Leather strap |
| Power reserve | 42 hours | 62 hours | 68 hours |
| This watch | Closely matched | Closely matched |
Your new watch
Frequently asked questions, and things you should know about this watch
Can I swim with it?
Yes. At 100m it is rated for swimming and snorkelling, though not for diving.
Water resistance explainedWill the glass scratch?
Unlikely. Sapphire is second only to diamond in hardness and shrugs off everyday marking.
Sapphire, mineral and acrylic comparedDoes it need a battery?
No. It is automatic — the motion of your wrist winds it, and there is no cell to replace.
Quartz, automatic and solar comparedHow long does it run for when it's not worn?
About 42 hours fully wound — enough to survive a night off the wrist, but not a full weekend.
Is it a men's or women's watch?
Listed as men's.
Cheapest place to buy
Mappin & Webb is the only UK retailer we track stocking this reference, so there is nothing to compare it against today.
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