A rare example of a Minerva monopusher chronograph from a golden era of the manufacture. Created in the early 2000s, the company was helmed by Emilio Gnutti and creative director Demetrio Cabbidu. Under their guidance, the company produced a series of beautiful watches inspired by the manufacturer's own history. This ref. M132001 is a monopusher chronograph example with a hinged caseback that features a clever opening method, continuing the spirit of Minerva's early work.

This Minerva Chronograph ref. M132001 is a rare specimen that was made in the early 2000s, after the company had been taken over by Emilio Gnutti, and come under the creative direction of Demetrio Cabiddu. This era of Minerva pieces was particularly creative, with in-house calibres used in an attempt to revive their heritage. This ref. M132001 is a monopusher chronograph cased in stainless steel, and it bears the original “Minerva” signature on the dial.
 
Minerva continues to thrive at the intersection of "vintage" and "modern" eras – sheets of metal are still cut with old Minerva stamps, and many of the older movements are still housed in new watches made today. The chronograph calibre that powers this watch is the Minerva cal. 13-21, which is based off a calibre made in 1923, the monopusher cal. 13-20, though thoroughly redesigned and updated.
 
The design is that of a two-register chronograph, taking direct inspiration from vintage pieces with its two tone dial configuration. The dial is symmetrically divided by two sub-dials, displaying 60-second and 30-minute intervals respectively, and both have been engine turned. The centre section is a brushed silver that bears the Minerva signature and "Fait Main A Villeret", and is enclosed by a burnished chapter ring that tracks the hours. A silvered tachymeter scale runs around the outermost section of the dial, with indications in dark blue and a seconds counter with red numerals. Each of the hands found on the dial are blued steel, further adding to the watch's vintage stylings.
 
Turning over the watch, you are met with a hinged caseback, which can be opened through a particularly ingenious method. The original accompanying straps of the piece, as seen with this example, have a small metal attachment on the ends closest to the lugs that fit neatly into the sides of the caseback, allowing you to pop it open smoothly and with little effort – an especially thoughtful and unusual addition that also speaks to the detail and care that went into this watch, harking back to a more personal era of watchmaking. Opening the caseback reveals a beautifully finished, rhodium-plated movement, with polishing found throughout each of the components, beautifully bevelled edges, and perlage on the baseplate.

Closer look

Condition

This Minerva Chronograph M132001 is in excellent overall condition. The case and lugs show very light signs of wear, consistent with minimal wear over time. The lacquer on the crown shows signs of wear, though the dial, hands, and movement show no signs of imperfections and have been well preserved. The engravings on the hinged caseback's outside and inside are well defined.

Warranty

The watch has recently returned from a service by the watchmakers of Petermann Bédat and comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man.