First introduced in 2023, Minerva The Unveiled Chronograph unveils the stunning complexity and meticulous hand-finishing of the movement on the front side of the watch. This full view is facilitated by the reverse-mounted movement, which exposes the bridges, levers and gears, as well as by the open-worked sapphire dial, which virtually disappears from view, and five apertures built into the mid-case.

Because the movement is built onto pillars, the lower plates are naturally illuminated through the mid-case apertures, which allows the eye to explore the intricate architecture of this calibre. To create even greater visual contrast, Minerva unveils a new limited edition version of the timepiece where the rear-mounted plates, as well as the signature V-shaped bridge up top, are coated in a rich brown colour, further matched by the brown semi-matte alligator strap. This reimagined colourway of the watch comes in a limitation 30 pieces. With monopusher functionality and full-gold construction, Minerva The Unveiled Chronograph extends Minerva’s long tradition of manufacturing mechanically and visually sophisticated chronographs cherished by discerning collectors.

Developing a reversed chronograph movement which places all chronograph and time-telling functions in their traditional locations, as well as having them spin clockwise, was a feat of modern watchmaking. The result is a fascinating view into the works, but also a familiar and legible layout.

The open-worked sapphire dial has been reduced to an outer ring, which secures the luminescent yellow gold hour markers, and three open rings across the horizontal axis. At 9 o’clock is the continually running small seconds hand in yellow gold with a small arrow tip. Within the central ring, the cathedral hour hand, syringe minute hand (both luminescent) and chronograph seconds-hand are mounted on the main arbor, which extends up through the top-mounted V-shaped bridge in brown. At the 3 o’clock position is the chronograph’s 30-minute totaliser, its hand in the shape of Minerva’s arrow.

The 43mm case is constructed in solid 18K yellow gold, and feature’s Minerva’s signature fluted bezel, which, along with the classically styled handset, harkens back to chronographs of the 1930s. Chamfered lugs reach downward to the brown-coloured alligator strap, while brushed and polished surfaces meet to form precision contours that spell out the subtle curvature of the lugs.

Especially unique here are the five apertures in the mid-case, which allow lateral views into the pillar-mounted movement, an angle from which one rarely gets to examine a movement.

The caseback is in solid 18K yellow gold and displays a special laser engraving of the Minerva manufacture in Villeret, Switzerland, where it has stood since 1858. The RFV logo with Minerva’s arrow, one of Minerva’s signatures, is also included here. Standing for Robert Frères Villeret, the logo had been used on watch cases and movements up into the early 20^th century.


Crafted entirely in-house, the patented Calibre M17.26 is composed of 291 individual parts, and it uses 26 jewels to assure frictionless operation of the critical pivot joints in the chronograph. The monopusher functionality requires only that the user press the same button in the center of the crown to start, stop and reset the stopwatch. Precision is attained via a free-sprung balance wheel with an array of finely tuned regulating weights mounted to an in-house hairspring. Power reserve is 50 hours on a full wind, and the movement beats at traditional 18,000vph (2.5Hz).

The Calibre M17.26 features meticulous hand-finishing, especially on the bevel edges of the plates and bridges, a traditional hallmark of high-end Swiss watchmaking. The top-mounted V-shaped bridge, here coated in the watch’s brown colourway, is a highlight of this architecture, and it proudly carries the Minerva name.

Minerva The Unveiled Chronograph Limited Edition 30 is presented in a box featuring a secret opening system that makes for a clean appearance as well as an engaging experience for the owner. The box’s elegant natural walnut-veneer is topped with a stainless steel plate with a special engraving of the Minerva manufacture in Villeret, Switzerland, in addition to the RFV logo with Minerva’s arrow. The location of Villeret is also expressed on the latch, which includes an engraving of the village’s coat of arms.

Minerva’s legacy in fine watchmaking began in Villeret, where the original manufacture was founded in 1858. Today, the same historic building is home to its workshops, where master watchmakers create high-quality timepieces while preserving the Minerva heritage, dedicated to movement innovation and technical excellence. The timepieces demand true mastery of watchmaking techniques, an experienced eye and an intuitive understanding of a watch’s soul. These are all qualities developed over the course of a lifetime devoted to this art.

The Minerva manufacture represents a centre of excellence dedicated to high-end watchmaking movements. It is here that all its calibres are developed, from small functional complications to innovative “Grandes Complications”. While focused on perpetuating tradition, the Minerva manufacture innovates with singular purpose, ensuring the evolution of its watchmaking. The manufacture remains one of the last of its kind where the vast majority of traditional operations are still performed by hand. Consequently, every timepiece is individually crafted and assembled by a single watchmaker, with every movement representing a singular blend of heritage and high performance.

Reference	:	136352
Limited edition	:	30 pieces
Movement	:	Minerva Manufacture Calibre M17.26 Manufacture hand-finished manually wound movement Monopusher Chronograph Reversed movement with regulating organ, going-train, bridges and plate visible through watch’s dial
Chronograph	:	Monopusher chronograph with column wheel and horizontal coupling
Diameter	:	38.40 mm
Height	:	7.70 mm
Components	:	291
Rubies	:	26 jewels
Power reserve	:	50 hours approx.
Balance	:	Balance with screws Diameter = 14.50 mm
Frequency	:	18 000 A/h (2.5 Hz)
Hairspring	:	With Philips curve
Plate	:	Brown-coated German silver
Bridges	:	Brown-coated German silver
Going-train	:	Yellow gold-coloured, circular grained, chamfered Diamond hubs on both sides
Displays	:	Hour and minute from the center Small seconds at 9 o’clock Chronograph’s elapsed-seconds hand from the dial’s center 30-elapsed minute counter at 3 o’clock
Case	:	Yellow gold 750/1000 (18 karats) with sapphire openings on the middle Satinated and polished finishing
Bezel	:	Yellow gold 750/1000 (18 karats) fixed fluted bezel, satinated and polished
Crystal	:	Scratch-resistant Domed box-shaped sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating
Caseback	:	Yellow gold 750/1000 (18 karats) with historic Minerva Manufacture special engraving
Diameter	:	43 mm
Height	:	14.78 mm
Water resistance	:	3 bar (30 m)
Crown	:	Fluted in yellow gold 750/1000 (18 karats) with Minerva emblem in relief
Pusher	:	Monopusher chronograph integrated into the crown
Dial	:	Skeleton sapphire dial with white luminescent Super-LumiNova® indexes Historical Minerva logo
Hands	:	Yellow gold-coated hour and minute hands with white luminescent Super-LumiNova® Yellow gold-coated seconds hand Yellow gold-coated chronograph minute hand with white arrow White chronograph seconds hand
Bracelet	:	Brown sfumato alligator leather strap
Buckle	:	Semi-matte finish and Yellow gold 750/1000 (18 karats) triple-folding clasp with fine adjustment system
Certification	:	Certified by the Minerva Laboratory Test 500H

Super-LumiNova^® is a registered trademark which is not owned by Minerva.