This Minerva chronograph instantly impresses even the most spoiled collector with its stunningly preserved original two-tone luminous dial. The dial is breathtaking: without any sign of restoration and only the lightest of patination, the surface sheen and raised printed signature completely undisturbed. The luminous numerals and indexes aged evenly to a charming hue, are absolutely original as are the matching luminous blued steel hands. The well-proportioned steel case is well preserved with only light scratching and minimal wear throughout. Ticking all the boxes for collectors of vintage chronographs, this rare Minerva is not only great looking, but is a superb example of the company’s mid-century chronographs.

The movement is Minerva’s famous caliber 13-20 with 17 jewels. Introduced in 1923 in Minerva-brand chronographs, the cal. 13-20 was designed originally as a single button chronograph but was available after 1940 in two button configurations with either a 30 or 45 minute counter.

For another Minerva chronograph with similar dial to the present watch, see: ‘Chronograph for Collectors – 30 Min Chrono’, Joel Pynson & Sébastien Chaulmontet, 2016, p. 35.

Minerva
Founded in 1858 by Charles-Yvan Robert and Hyppolyte Robert of Villeret, what would eventually become the Minerva Watch brand in 1887, was initially a "tablisseurs" of watches, an assembler of watches from parts manufactured elsewhere. It wasn't until 1902, under the leadership of C. Robert's sons, Charles-Auguste and Georges-Louis, that Minerva became a watch manufacturer with its own engineering workshops.

The earliest Minerva wristwatch was made in 1909, but the watch company's greatest success came in 1923 with the introduction of the calibre 13-20, a movement that perfectly illustrates the classic and refined architecture of wrist chronographs of that era, with the iconic “V”-shaped bridge, column-wheel mechanism, a Breguet balance-spring and 17 jewels. With the launch of this watch, the company earned its reputation as a manufacturer of complicated movements of exceptional quality. Minerva was bought by the luxury goods group Richemont in 2006.