Minerva Villeret „1858 Fait a Main” ref. M484901 Rose Gold Chocolate Dial

Minerva Villeret „1858 Fait a Main” ref. M484901 Rose Gold Chocolate Dial

11,900.00

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 an enamelled ‚Minerva’ logo and buckle with reflects the case shape once more.

The remarkable movements are hidden under a hinged back cover which are concavely formed to perfectly follow the shapes of the owner’s wrist. But where’s the pusher to open the case-back? The solution Minerva opted for shows how much toughts went into their timepieces: The case-back mechanism is operated by a push on the upper noose of the strap and releases, via the spring-bar that attaches the strap to the lugs, a small pin. Then the back can be opened to allow a view on the marvel behind it.

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 Cal. 62-00 Collection (Hour, Minute, Small Seconds; 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 24.0mm and consists of 162 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 Minerva Cal. 62-00 Signed.

Dimensions: 41mm X 49mm X 13mm

Case: Massive 18K Rose Gold round case in 3 parts. Movement secured by screws with a see-thru glass and hidden under a hinged back cover which is concavely formed to perfectly follow the shapes of the owner’s wrist. Signed crown. Front & back sapphire crystal.

Dial: Two tone chocolate with Blue Arabic numerals. Black signature. Rose gold hands.

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

Dial, case and movement signed.

Need Help? Contact Us Leave Feedback

Categories: ,