Club 58 members visit Minerva/Montblanc Manufacture at Villeret, Switzerland for a unique experience learning about mechanical watches firsthand. | Montblanc

Club M58 member’s visit to Minerva/ Montblanc Manufacture at Villeret

As a privilege of Club M58 member, my wife and I have had the opportunity to visit Minerva/ Montblanc Manufacture at Villeret, Switzerland one week ago, during our summer Europe trip for daughter’s graduation ceremony.

The dream-like visit started by limousine picking us up from our hotel at Geneva. After 1 hr 45 min drive, we arrived at the Villeret Manufacture.

After greeting by Hospitality Manager and Watch Specialist of the brand, we first learned from their micro mechanical engineer about the design and basic concepts of mechanical watches.

Followed by seeing the actual cutting of small parts of caliber using high precision electric charged wire (EDM cutting), artisans doing different steps of polishing/ hairspring manufacturing and even got a chance to try those different steps by ourselves.

Finally, it’s mind-blowing to meet the exact watchmaker who hand made my Minerva Club58 timepiece. A true homecoming!

The whole experience is fantastic and actually reminds me of my overseas training in surgery 16 years ago.

Heartfelt gratitude to the maison for their kind invitation.

I would strongly recommend other Club 58 member in our watch community (at least two more here) to attend this once in a lifetime experience 😊

Cheers, Henry

p.s. it was really hot at Europe during last two weeks.