jrwong23 (aka watchthebin)
[Moderator]
14255
The grand Jedi Master!
Yes Mr Cabbidu!
One of my most revered master watchmaker 
He is very much alive of course! He retired as a watchmaker sometime early 2014 I heard but many of his apprentices are still in Montblanc Villeret
Very recently I have heard he is having a good time traveling around and relaxing in his retirement
Cheers
Robin
Montblanc Villeret calibre 13.21 vs calibre 16.29
Lots of attention lately on the calibre 16.29 on the new 1858 chronograph tachymeter. Let's not also forget its smaller brother the calibre 13.21 found on the Montblanc Villeret vintage Pulsograph, the Heritage Spirit Pulsograph. Below are some pics of th...
To my layman's eyes
They both look splendid, so I would have q preference for the smaller one, as it better covers the watch size range I can actually wear. In addition the compactness gives it an extra appeal, too IMHO.
Next time we meet
I may be able to bring both along (pending when I get the 16.29) and also a loupe. I can spend hours looking at my 13.21 with a loupe. A real beauty! agree the 13.21 being smaller is more versatile and classically sized. But the 16.29 is more curvy and se...
Looking forward to next time!
And hopefully it will be in Vienna, so I can return the favour! No high quality dim sum but many, many other delights
Tough to say... I'd say it depends on your wrist size...
I love both of them. As I can wear both of them. Best, Nicolas
Thanks for your input D!
The 13.21 has been with me for 2 years now. I really love it Cheers Robin
Definitely the Calibre 16.29 ...
just look at the gorgeously shaped levers that extend to an from the column wheel: generously dimensioned, lusciously shaped. I think they have no equal in the entire industry. Best, Magnus
Very good point Magnus
Those curvy levers on the 16.29 are super sexy especially with their level of finishing! I read an article of you visiting Minerva many years ago. I wish I can visit someday too to see all these production processes myself ! Cheers Robin
Actually there are some very worthy competitors too
Lange Datograph movement, JLC duometre, the new VC monopusher chronograph and of course the PP manual chronograph etc. But the sexy levers of the 16.29 is my favorite still Cheers Robin
The JLC Duometre
IMHO has no competition lol! It\'s in a league of its own. The rest are very traditional chronos but the Duometre is completely innovative and modern IMHO yet with a beautifully finished movement made of German silver In terms of traditional haute horolog...
Two pretty sweet movements.
I love that smaller one because of the case size of the watch it's in. But like you say, the 16.xx is a very sexy beast. I am starting to wonder whether or not, since you are going for it Robin; maybe my wrist could support it as well...Hmm... QUIET, VLAD...
Even if Vlad doesn't speak ...
I will still say.... Go for it my friend! I think the 1858 chronograph Tachymeter is speaking to you a lot! Cheers Robin
Lovely, lovely photos!
Thank you Robin for the post. It has made try to source a similar watch to yours (13.21) and I have managed to locate one in Latvia! As beautiful as the watch is, can you tell me if it is heavy compared to say your datograph and is it keeping accurate tim...
Hi Sham, you found the
Montblanc Villeret chronograph grand feu enamel like mine? If it\'s this model, yes it is quite heavy being in white gold and 41mm. The hunter back and the dial are also solid 18k gold. But it wears less "top heavy" than my pink gold Dato (the platinum Da...
Hi Robin, Thank you for...
Hi Robin, Thank you for your valuable feedback. I stand corrected. The watch is not exactly like yours as it is the rose gold version limited to 58 pieces whereas yours in the white gold version limited to 10 pieces. Other than that, I believe they are al...
Got it Sham
Yes they are essentially the same watch - rose gold version is LE 58 with white enamel and white gold version is LE 8 with black enamel I wear my Montblanc Villeret around once in 2 weeks in rotation with other watches - no problems to wear it at all! It'...
I think the extra real estate on the 16.29 is well utilized.
Both are splendid though. Thanks for the photos.
The photos are for you Michael :p
I am Vlad Wong... Apprentice of THE Vlad. The dark side of horology. Instead of Darths, we have Vlads here Muahahahah Cheers Robin ...
Scary photo! I never resisted at all...
All it took for me to swoon over the steel 1858 was 1 photo in the original announcement thread from AlexSunrise. I have to credit him for sinking me early. But for certain, you and Nico have really piled on!
I really am a big fan of MB Villeret!
I think their movements are at the top of the tree, just those curves and the line... it is what dreams are made of! Cheers Andrew
Same sentiments Andrew
That\'s why I always admired your Villeret with the 16.29 calibre. I patiently await mine Cheers Robin
Minerva caliber 13-20-do you know the difference
Hi Robin, I've had a look at the Minerva 13-20. Do you have any clue of the difference between this one and the 13-21? I have noticed that the infamous devil's tale is not on the 13-20, but what else? Here's a pick of the 12-20. Minerva Chronograph from a...
I will find out more :)
A key difference I think is the 13.21 is a monopusher whereas the 13.20 has 2 pushers for start stop and reset. Let me find out more after the year end break Cheers Robin
The devil's tail
Great thanks for replying Robin; of course yes the 21 is a mono pusher; I hadn\'t realised that. I was also wondering when the devil\'s tail came into play. Is it a historical Minerva touch or did it start with the Mont Blanc Villeret series. (?) All the ...
Here is the movement which inspired Montblanc Villeret for the new 18158 Tachymeter.
Cal 17-29 CH: As you can see, no Devil's Tail... So, my guess is that it is a feature which comes from MB Villeret. Best, Nicolas ...
Thanks Nico for the insights
I found out from a Villeret watchmaker: The Minerva arrowhead first appeared on the calibre 16.29. Before that no Minerva movements had this fine feature Cheers Robin
I got the response JLC :)
The Minerva arrowhead (which many fans affectionately call the Devil\'s tail) was first introduced during the rebirth of Minerva in 2003/2004 in the caliber 16.29. That was a few years before Richemont acquired Minerva. Before the calibre 16.29, my watchm...
Cool!
Very cool-fast and precise response-does this get any better? These MB guys seem to be really on top of things. And you too Robin and Armanico. I hope the watchmaker from 2003 who had the idea of the arrow is still alive to hear that his little crazy idea...
Dimitri Cabiddu
Must be this guy. And yes very much alive. and still running Minerva ...
The grand Jedi Master!
Yes Mr Cabbidu! One of my most revered master watchmaker He is very much alive of course! He retired as a watchmaker sometime early 2014 I heard but many of his apprentices are still in Montblanc Villeret Very recently I have heard he is having a good tim...
Always happy to help JLC :)
Yes that team behind the Minerva arrow head... Still very much alive and behind the scenes at Montblanc Villeret Cheers Robin