Many watches are created for the most demanding circumstances, yet they hardly find themselves in a situation where their qualities are actually utilized. For Montblanc, this was one reason to take the 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen through its paces on the Arctic. There, alpinist Simon Messner, son of Reinhold Messner, who crossed Antarctica on foot in 1989, and global managing director of Montblanc’s watch division, Laurent Lecamp, participated in the Antarctic Ice Marathon. WatchTime’s Editor-at-Large Martin Green talked with both about their experience and the performance of the 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen.

Martin Green: You were born in the year that your father crossed Antarctica on foot. Is this also the inspiration to participate in the Antarctic Ice Marathon" 
Simon Messner: That’s a funny coincidence, I would say. My father, Reinhold, completed the longitudinal crossing of Antarctica by foot on February 12, 1990; it took him and his partner Arved Fuchs 92 days to cover the 2.800 km. I was born in November of the same year. Of course this inspired me, but I also believe that life is made up of possibilities. You can take advantage of these opportunities, or not ? that is up to you. For me, the Antarctic Ice Marathon was a great way to experience myself, especially my willpower and my body. I got most of my motivation from the question: can I do this" 

What are the biggest challenges that you face when participating"

D...