Minerva - The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV Geneva Friday, November 5, 2021 | Phillips

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  • Manufacturer: Minerva
    Year: Circa 2003
    Movement No: 120'100
    Case No: M132'001 and A186'383
    Model Name: Villeret Single Button Chronograph
    Material: 18k pink gold
    Calibre: Manual, cal. 13-21, 21 jewels
    Bracelet/Strap: Leather
    Clasp/Buckle: 18k pink gold pin buckle
    Dimensions: 40mm Diameter
    Signed: Case, dial and movement signed
    Accessories: Accompanied by 2 leather encrusted strap endlinks, a silver fitted box and letter (in Italian) explaining the watch.

  • Catalogue Essay

    Brothers Charles and Hyppolite Robert founded H. & C. Robert in 1858, ultimately becoming Minerva (the Roman goddess of handcrafts, the professions, the arts, and, later, war) in 1887. The brand introduced its first chronograph movement in 1908 and made a name for itself in the subsequent years as a makers of well crafted high quality chronographs.

    The present Villeret single button chronograph is from the modern “golden era” of the brand and dates to the very early 2000s where the brand was purchased by Italian financier Emilio Gnutti and master watchmaker Demetrio Cabiddu as its technical director.

    The era was ablaze with new ideas and the desire to push forward technical solutions and highly finished movements. Within three years of going under new management, Minerva presented in 2003 four new calibers inhouse manual wind calibers: two chronographs and two time-only.

    The present single pusher chronograph in pink gold features the new Minerva Cal. 13-21 based on the original Calibre 13-20 from 1923. A superbly finished caliber that can be admired through the hinged caseback.
    As a nod to its vintage roots the two tone dial features a pulsometer scale.

96

A well crafted pink gold single button chronograph wristwatch with pulsation scale

Circa 2003
40mm Diameter
Case, dial and movement signed

Estimate
CHF8,000 - 12,000 
€7,500-11,200
$8,600-13,000

Sold for CHF30,240

Contact Specialist

Alexandre Ghotbi
Head of Watches, Continental Europe and the Middle East Director
AGhotbi@phillips.com

The Geneva Watch Auction: XIV

Geneva Auction 5 & 7 November 2021