penfriend
3265
well, each to his own
I have been to Villeret two times, have met Mr. Cabbidu and have compared calibers of the different eras. To me, the ones from the Cabbidu era at Montblanc are the best in terms of final finish and precision. (Cabbidu was with Minerva before Montblanc took over btw and I learned during my visits that they even enhanced the products).
I have read the story about the 38 "discovered" calibers but I just don't understand this as the same caliber is built into a Small Seconde from 2010 which is in my collection.
I guess that it is my history coming from more than ten years collecting high-end fountain pens (>50,000 Euro) which leaves me pretty easy with the Montblanc brand name on watches of equal or lesser prices as the play a minor role in my overall portfolio of collectibles.
Montblanc Minerva Villeret. A festival of horological delights.
Words are needless, here. I will just share some pictures of the high level of finishings of some movements. A Classic: " Simple " Chronograph movements: 13.21 on the left, 16.29 on the right: With a different variation of the 16.29, here, as you can find...
This is very impressive.
Next to Lange probably the nicest chrono architecture and finishing on the market.
Wow! You're right, words aren't needed.
Thanks for posting these all in one place. M4
Absolutely mind blowing !!!!
You are right there are no words! Probably outperformed Lange and Patek no?
Agree
Hey Nico, I know you’re such a fan of these. I fear the longer I leave it to find one I want, the more expensive they’ll become! MB via Davide Cerrato keep on coming up with all sorts of LE variations to tempt!
The nicest movements.
Interesting about the movements you post are unbelievable beauties. I try to get a Minerva or a Montblanc with a Minerva movement if i get the chance. But first i want to complete a Rolex triple.
Thank you for this superb overview!
I immediately went to check my four different Villeret calibers and they look even better in real life ;-)
both look stunning..
but only if they can be work properly..I had issues with both...
I only wish
that Montblanc had kept the MInerva name on all the watches with its stunning movements rather than using the Montblanc name which remains synonymous with pens. I believe by keeping the Minerva name, Montblanc would attract a larger clientele for its MIne...
There is no substitute
for a superbly finished movement but I am greedy Nico, a name would have helped too especially why hide a name that has been established over so many decades, a name that has a positive aura about it.
You know what I meant Nico :-)
It would have been great in Montblanc continued using the Minerva name on the dial of its watches. Imagine if a Breguet used Swatch on its dial instead of Breguet!!
I personally do not understand this notion
Montblanc is a luxury brand that covers within its origin (fountain pens) a price range from about USD 800 to USD 2.5 million. I cannot find another example for a successful luxury brand with such a broad range of customers (and even 800 USD is a lot for ...
You are right!
Montblanc did save Minerva from going into liquidation and I fully acknowledge Montblanc's prowess in the pen field. It is like people acknowledging Louis Vuitton for making exquisite luggage but not many would buy a Louis Vuitton watch because for the sa...
Marketing strategy
When Montblanc saved Minerva they decided to invent new calibers/complications and they also decided to upgrade the level of finishing in existing Minerva calibers. So when you compare pre-Montblanc calibers with them, you will see differences. Thus I can...
I beg to differ
The quality of Minerva products improved to a haute horlogerie level in 2003 when Emilio Gnutti took over the company. An example would be the latest Montblanc Small Seconds 38 with the the Minerva 62.00 movement of which 38 old movements from the time of...
well, each to his own
I have been to Villeret two times, have met Mr. Cabbidu and have compared calibers of the different eras. To me, the ones from the Cabbidu era at Montblanc are the best in terms of final finish and precision. (Cabbidu was with Minerva before Montblanc too...
The reason why the daily tolerance is bigger is because of the size of the movement
you can see from this link www.cosc.swiss that the tolerance for the smaller movements are wider. That's why small movements in big watches are a no no, because you lose out in horological qualities.
Here are some that i have the chance to see up close in person
Thanks for sharing these, I truly loves these Minerva movements and hope to own my second piece one day soon. 1) 13.21 from my Villeret Vintage Pulsographe 2) 16.29 from 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter in steel 3) 16.32 from Villeret Vintage Tachydate ...
It is great that you post the picture because..
it reminded me of one thing I wanted to point at: All watches from the Montblanc Villeret 1858 Collection (now discontinuedI) carry on the backside "Fait main a Villeret" (handmade in Villeret). The "newer" models with the same calibers carry "Swiss made"...
Please post it!
Btw: I have met three high ranked Montblanc executives who have purchased the "Fait main a Villeret" models on private account. Good indication for that collection
Yes I personally feel the same too based on what I seen
But that’s no way I can verify. I did ask a very reliable source on the difference in finishing but he didn’t address this as well. His personal view is the movements are finished by different watchmakers thus might look slightly different.