Minerva Villeret „Chronograph” ref. M132000 Yellow Gold

Minerva Villeret „Chronograph” ref. M132000 Yellow Gold

12,900.00

Brak w magazynie

The Swiss company, Minerva, is a great watch manufactory founded back in the nineteenth century (registered under its current name in 1887). Since the beginning of the twentieth century, it has been producing its own mechanisms for pocket and wristwatches of top quality.

The biggest brand development within its midst occurred in 2000, when Emilio Gnutti – financier from Brescia and collector of watches and vintage vehicles – bought the manufacture from the Frey family. Emilio Gnutti is a reputable figure, who was one of the richest Italians at the beginning of the twenty-first century, forefronting the so-called „Gruppo Bresciano” – a group of trusted people, consisting of great entrepreneurs, designers and financiers.

It is Emilio Gnutti who decided to transform Minvera into a manufacture of top-class watches, with their own complex mechanisms. He strived to achieve what largest producers did, and, according to many, in terms of performance he managed to get to the very top. During the period under Gnutti’s management, Minerva watches have become to be consiered masterpieces, both from the mechanical and visual point of view. His watches were of the finest quality – sophisticated, elegant and expensive as dictated by their class.

In 2006, the economic crisis thwarted plans of Minerva for further development of the brand, and, preoccupied with financial issues, Emilio Gnutti was forced to sell his beloved manufacture to the Richemont Group conglomerate.

Minerva has been transformed into a subcontractor of the most complicated mechanisms for other watch manufacturers associated with Richemont Group.

The new collection immediately catches one’s eyes with the unique case construction. Common to all watches is the elaborated case shape with convex and concave forms, an extremely costly to produce vaulted sapphire crystal (reportedly as expensive to produce as a traditional standard movement), a crown with a ‚Minerva’ logo and buckle with reflects the case shape once more.

The dials appeal with perfect printing, a harmony of different surface finishings and give an interesting contrast of several layers. Proudly they claim what we’ve already seen: ‚Fait Main à Villeret’ (hand made in Villeret).

The Minerva in house caliber based on vintage Stock Valjoux Collection (Hour, Minute, Chronograph; handwind):
The movement is completely redressed with a very romantic bridge design resembling old Minerva movements. Fine hand-applied finishing on the bridges contrasts with gold ruby châtons and a côtes soleil pattern on the crown- and the barrel wheels. The movement has a diameter of 29.50mm and consists all handfinished parts. We want to draw your attention escpecially to the other end of the swan’s neck micro regulator…

Watch is almost brand new, never worn, in perfect condition. Comes with very elegant Atelier Tempus certificate and wooden box.

Movement: Manual winding in-house movement based on Vintage Valjoux 72.

Dimensions: 40mm X 49mm X 13mm

Case: Massive 18K Gold round case in 2 parts. Back secured by screws with a see-thru glass. Signed crown. Front & back Sapphire crystal.

Dial: Two tone silver and grey with Roman numerals. Blue signature. Blue minute divisions over black ring. 2 registers.

Strap: Fitted with original brown alligator strap, signed + hallmarked 18K buckle.

Dial, case and movement signed.

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