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3704
Minerva 38 mm Pythagore
I quite like this Minerva 38 mm Pythagoremanual wind. Simple, thin and comfortable on the wrist. I use it more on the Minerva bracelet than I do the ostrich strap because of the weather in Singapore.
This pieces was made in 2002. Just before Minerva was sold. Montblanc the new owners needed a strong movement maker to help legitimise themselves and they found it in the cult following of Minerva.
Sapphire crystal front and back, 21 years old now. These watches were handmade by a small group of folks at Minerva. They only had about 10 people working for the entire company and Mr. Frey the owner would often write a personal note of thanks to each owner.
How things have changed … ☺️
#minervawatch
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Minerva 38 mm Pythagore
I quite like this Minerva 38 mm Pythagoremanual wind. Simple, thin and comfortable on the wrist. I use it more on the Minerva bracelet than I do the ostrich strap because of the weather in Singapore. This pieces was made in 2002. Just before Minerva was s...
Yes, things have changed considerably… those were wonderful times!
Will Montblanc service the Frey era vintage pieces like your wonderful example?
Thanks JJ
Yes, MB will service it if ever needed. NEO-vintage pieces like this hold so much intrigue for me. The 1990s was the golden age for Swiss watch making. Glad to see more awareness of this these days. Some folks think NEO-vintage is the same as vintage … bu...
Agree bro. There is a very
short period of time when Minerva was still independent and run by the Frey family and the watches had display casebacks. Circa 1999 to 2002. The case diameter sizes ranged from 34 mm to 38 mm.
Love the two-tone and the bracelet...
...this is the kind of thing that IWC should be making...
Thanks. Agree sometimes less is
More. The Minerva brand name certainly helps too. I like 2-tone as well. Not for everyone but as I get a bit older and more confident in my collecting, I find that some level of variety within the collection is nice.
A nice story as bonus
While your Pythagore have a lot of things i do not look for, it belongs to u. … there are Minerva watches that have a lot i look for. Every Minerva is rare i guess. I spotted sometimes online Pythagore models that have the right specifications i look for,...
I agree Weems. I echo your sentiment.
I’m not that keen on Montblanc because they don’t put Minerva on the dial. The finishing is excellent … the prices are massively more than the original Minerva’s. So I go for the Minerva before they were sold. What are the specs you typically look for? ...
Here are a few pics of my 38mm pythagore pilot
Here are a few pics of my 38mm minerva pythagore pilot. I wear it on a Molequin alligator strap. ...
Nice watch you have but also lots of wrong information in your posts
Minerva was not sold from Frey to Montblanc but beforehand in 2000 to Mr. Gnutti. Only in 2006 the company was sold to Montblanc. Mr. Gnutti tried to transform Minerva into a luxury brand with grand complications and also high prices. For this reason he h...
Thanks for your comments, allow me to clarify ...
To help me respond for clarity: Minerva was not sold from Frey to Montblanc but beforehand in 2000 to Mr. Gnutti. Only in October 2006 the company was sold to Montblanc. Marc-Oh yes, for sure. I did not say that the Frey family sold to Richemont/Montblanc...
Thanks for your insights
and this article is in depth on which was done before Gnutti had to sell to Richemont: www.ornatus-mundi.ch One of my better friends is the at that time CEO from Montblanc, so my knowledge is based also on his explanations. I guess your watch was ...
Quick update … Beppe just
confirmed that they (Gnutti) bought Minerva from the Frey family in November 2000. So you and the articles are correct. I will still try to find the press release I read to see how I derived 2002 from it. Thanks very much 🙏
Thanks … this article
By Magnus is excellent and one that I have referred to many times in the past. 👍🏻 Almost 20 years has come and gone so quickly. I really like some of the Gnutti pieces. Flamboyant dials with excellent finishing on the movements. I wonder if they made the ...
I have the same as yours.
But I don't have the bracelet. I resolved the issue of the hot and humid HK climate by ordering a custom ostrich strap with rubber lining from Camille Fournet. Works really well, you should consider it. Also, mine has a swan neck regulator, which I unders...
Thanks Boris. I’ll certain consider
The rubber lining option. Yes, from what I understand, the American version have the swan neck. The ones for Europe did not have it. Also, from what I have read, the original Pythagore did not have the swan neck regulator. Therefore, some purists say with...
No idea about the production numbers.
But seeing how small the Minerva operations were under the Frey family management, it can't be more than a few thousands across all years and all 3 dials variations of the Pythagore II. I love that other dial variation you posted, very Bauhaus in style. I...
You wear it well Boris ☀️
I think much mess than a few thousand made of this model. Maybe a hundred or two hundred Naznim Yes agree, the “blue hands” version is superb and definitely has a bauhausian elements to it. Clean and minimalist features. It’s interesting that this model i...
Optional
At the time the swan neck was optional. It was nearly possible to customize any model on order. I chose a swan neck, a brushed case, a déployant buckle, a high quality croco strap and a rectangular watch box, all different from regular models.
Thanks wonderful to be able to customise
Back in the day. I read that the Frey’s really treasured their collectors and had a good down to earth relationship with them. Which Minerva did you get? Have some wrist shots to share ? Thanks