Thanks for the pics! Hugo Lopez is head of Minerva technical department

He was head of Richemont's development department prior in 2007.

He is an "invisible" man behind the brand but if you do a quick patent search you will see that he worked with Laurent Besse and with Carol Kasapi (who currently is the technical director for Cartier) on the patent for what looks like the mechanism behind Piaget's tourbillon relatif.

Since the new release from the Villeret collection is code named Metamorphosis and the brief description given is: It's a new way of thinking time. This is a timepiece capable of changing appearance and function. From a simple hour and minute clock, it becomes a stopwatch

I am thinking outside the box and wondering if there is any relationship between the Metamorphosis and the Cartier!

Mr. Lopez's interview will hopefully be part of the next "getting to know series"

Cheers, Mike

💰185 Marketplace Listings for Cartier›

Montblanc's Peak-- The Villeret 1858 Collection unveiling in New York City

By: mkt33 : November 24th, 2009-20:17

On November 18th, Montblanc hosted a dinner for PuristSPro enthusiasts to showcase the gem of their timepiece segment: the Minerva Villeret 1858 collection. For a large luxury goods company like Montblanc which usually relies on a semi-industrial manufact...

Superb watches...

By: patrick_y : November 24th, 2009-22:10

Watch out fellow watch collectors, the Villeret collection has a very limited production of only 150 to 250 pieces a year. As fellow watch connoisseurs start seeing this watch, they will soon realize and appreciate its beautifully finished movement made o...

Thanks Mike

By: NJ_Mark : November 25th, 2009-12:10

Your report was icing on the cake! Thanks again.

Thanks Mark, looking forward to seeing you again soon. (nt)

By: mkt33 : November 26th, 2009-07:47

The attraction to Montblanc's Villeret collection is definately

By: mkt33 : November 26th, 2009-07:46

due to the passions and values of its small artisan work force. For me, pieces from the Villeret collection might have well been built from an independent watchmaker's atelier. Best, MIke

Thanks for the report Mike

By: SJX : November 24th, 2009-23:22

Good to see the regulateur chronograph being publicised. It's an interesting piece, if only it were a bit smaller. - SJX

My pleasure, the grande regulateur is a looker

By: mkt33 : November 26th, 2009-07:43

and a good first project which resulted from the collaboration of MB and Minerva. I think this year's release will be interesting. I imagine it will be sort of like the Cartier Santos with the "changing" shutter dial. Best, Mike

OooOOo this watch will be very interesting then!

By: AnthonyTsai : November 26th, 2009-08:37

Wonder what designs the Villeret designers will have on the changing dials! Below is a picture of Cartier's Santos Triple 100 changing shutter dial for those who haven't seen it before. Cheers, Anthony SIHH 2008 Cartier Santos Triple 100 (I made the below...