The week in the watch world was eventful: new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean and Tudor Ranger 36 mm with beige and black dials hit the market.
Today, however, we will step away from these releases and focus on Montblanc, specifically on their impressive, albeit large Iced Sea Automatic Date model.
This is our first Montblanc watch review on the blog, making it our 166th brand in our collection.
Montblanc's First Diver
Interestingly, Montblanc has joined a micro-trend where major brands with rich histories release their first diving watches, similar to Hanhart with their Aquasphere Freefall. Historically, Montblanc is known for classic, elegant watches and, above all, as a manufacturer of premium pens and leather goods. The new diver certainly signifies a significant expansion of their watch range, tied to the growing popularity of the sports watch segment.
Unlike Hanhart, which opted for a utilitarian design, Montblanc incorporated signature elements into the Iced Sea Automatic Date, such as a unique dial pattern reminiscent of a glacier. This is not just a print - the pattern is created using the complex "gratte-boise" technique, known in watchmaking but rarely used in modern models, especially in large sports divers. Viewed from a distance typical for reading time, the dial appears to be made of meteorite or natural stone, although Montblanc does not specify the material. The $4700 price suggests it is not a precious stone, but rather high-artistic finishing.
Detailed Examination of the Dial
Under macro photography, the "gratte-boise" technique is revealed - a pattern imitating scratches on ice. The word "gratte" translates from French as "scratches," accurately describing the engraving's character. The dial resembles cold, scratched ice. The test model was gray, with blue, green, and black dial options also available. The gray model most realistically conveys the shade of ice.
Other dial elements meet contemporary standards: applied markers with luminous filling, cathedral-shaped hour and minute hands, and a long, thin second hand with a bright tip filled with Super-LumiNova.
Sporty Case Design
Although Montblanc is not new to sports watches, the diver model is somewhat surprising. It is not a classic compact diver like the Tudor BB58 but a large watch that appears more massive than its 41 mm technical specifications. Visually, the case is perceived as 42-43 mm. This is not due to the lug width or bulkiness of the case - they are quite neat. The dial seems spacious, and the applied markers and numbers are compact, creating the impression of a larger model.
The lug width is a standard 20 mm, which is convenient for changing straps of different colors and materials. The case thickness is 12.9 mm, which is average for divers of this size. The watch sits comfortably on the wrist, causing no discomfort but also not standing out with an unusual fit. Meanwhile, it is ready for dives up to 300 meters.
The case and bracelet are predominantly matte-brushed, except for two polished strips on the bracelet links and the bevels on the case. This design emphasizes the sporty character and practicality - scratches underwater on corals or ice will be less noticeable.
MB 24.17 Movement
The Iced Sea model is equipped with the MB 24.17 movement based on Sellita. This is a simple but proven caliber with functions for hours, minutes, central second hand, and date at the "3 o'clock" position. The oscillation frequency is 28,800 semi-oscillations per hour, with 25 jewels. The power reserve is not officially specified on Montblanc's website, which is unusual: various sources vary between 38 and 50 hours. We plan to conduct our own testing and update the information. For a watch of this size and brand, one would expect a power reserve closer to the upper limit.
Despite the simplicity and use of an external mechanism, this is a sensible choice for Montblanc's first diver model. The movement features convenient functions like quick date adjustment and stopping the second hand for precise time setting.
Final Impression
Personally, the model seems too large due to the case size - my wrist is 16.5 cm. However, for those with wider wrists, the watch would be an excellent choice. I would gladly wear it daily if the size allowed. The dial is unique and crafted using legendary artistic technique, the build and finish quality are high, and the technical specifications make the watch a full-fledged diving tool.
Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date is an intriguing offer for those who want to stand out against the backdrop of typical models in the saturated dive watch segment.