WatchProSite

Montblanc

38 mm Minerva Pythagore calibre 48

Feb 05, 2025,07:04 AM
 

Here is my 38 mm Minerva Pythagore with the famous manual wind calibre 48. Notice how the watch wears bigger as the entire case is pretty much made up of the dial. At 9 mm thickness, I love the proportions. Sapphire crystal glass for both front and back.

The beige suede strap … I love the subtle way the strap brings out the most from the dial. I think of straps as I would frames 🖼️ for paintings. They are there to give context to the dial and not to be the stars of the show per se.

Very few of these models were made in 1999 by Minerva. Perhaps 50-100 pieces made ? … archives are not clear yet.

This anniversary model was hand finished (and reputed to have the best finishing compared to earlier models) by the Frey father and son team who were considered master watchmakers. There were only 8 people working in the entire maison in 1999. 😅 The Frey family were famed for their calibre inventions and also for their love and respect to their collectors. They often wrote notes of thanks to each collector when they sold a watch.

One of the many reasons I love the NEO-vintage period. Old school and new school combined in this transition period between vintage and current more mass production.

Hope you enjoy the pics and my little write up on this darling.

🤝

Life is too short to be like everyone else.











Related Content
expand_more
MinervaPythagore

  login to reply

Comments: view entire thread 

That's lovely. The strap adds a lot, too.

 
By: GrouchoM : February 5th, 2025-07:26

Thanks Groucho🤝

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-01:57

Very elegant!

 
By: sham1 : February 5th, 2025-09:02
Thank you for sharing photos of your classy dress watch.

Thanks Sham

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-01:57

Great looking watch.

 
By: LarsG : February 5th, 2025-09:05
And a good combo with the strap. Thanks for the info on the watch (as always.) Didn’t know your wrist could do without a GP 😅 Btw. I think your info/knowledge were mentioned on Fratello regarding a Blancpain.

😅 thanks Lars

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 5th, 2025-16:16
Glad to hear you enjoyed the post. I know right, every time I put on something other than a GP I feel kinda guilty 😆 Oh, interesting about Fratello. I don’t write about Blancpain though …. Have a link to the article? 🤝

It was of course about the GP Laureato (the new 38 mm green one, which I find most charming)

 
By: LarsG : February 5th, 2025-21:30
"Artist unknown. This doesn’t compare to having Rembrandt van Rijn’s signature on a painting. For a long time, the common belief was that Adolfo Natalini (1941–2020) — a man who co-founded the architectural company Superstudio, became a member of the Arch... 

Ah yes. I saw the article …

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-01:56
You mentioned Blancpain and that was why I was confused. Anyway, the link Fratello shared was to one post about the topic where I disputed the attribution to Natalini. This post I made was the proof after I spoke to Natalini’s business partner of 30 years...  

Speaking of Natalini and Superstudio...

 
By: Gregineugene : February 6th, 2025-03:33
...here is one of many images they contributed to the Radical Architecture canon. ...  

Oh interesting… thanks for sharing this

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-05:41
Wonder why they wanted to submit an image of Florence flooded … 🤔

Maybe because it’d be so cool to say “I dived the Duomo”!

 
By: Gregineugene : February 6th, 2025-17:08

Whahaha 😄

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-17:09

Yes, I remember your post here about that some months ago

 
By: LarsG : February 6th, 2025-08:59
That’s why I thought of you and our forum when Fratello mentioned WatchProSite in the article. Always good to be a part of this horological forum where I keep learning new stuff. Enjoy!

WPS is a great community

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-09:07
Facebook groups and such have lots of fluffy info. Purists are here. I’m doing my part to get the facts straight on GP. The myths and such has gone on for too long. 🤝

We need the facts !! 👍🏻

 
By: LarsG : February 6th, 2025-09:15

Exactly. Not like GP management is helping at all …

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-09:46

Very very nice! Love the hands and indices on that watch and the strap really works!

 
By: Larrykelley11 : February 5th, 2025-13:04

Thanks Larry 🤝

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-01:57

Mine says Hi to you

 
By: Black Ninjya : February 6th, 2025-09:32
The same 38mm with a different strap. Love the suede strap that compliments the watch. Mine is fitted with a calf strap by Jean Claude Perrin. 　 ...  

Awesome 🤩 I’m so glad to have another collector

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-09:47
To keep me company. Your strap is super. Reminds me of the Hermes color? 🤝

Thanks. There are still some Minerva collectors around here.

 
By: Black Ninjya : February 6th, 2025-10:23
The leather possibly comes from the same tanner as they are both French brands.

Ah, interesting to hear about the leather tanners

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-10:54
Glad to hear that there are still Minerva collectors here. Sorry to say that many of the younger collectors do not may not know (or care) about Minerva. Hope to keep in touch with you. I have a few other neo-vintage Minerva’s and I post pics of them from ... 

This is only the Minerva I have for now though I have other pieces from different brands.

 
By: Black Ninjya : February 6th, 2025-11:28
I've enjoyed your earlier posts here. I may pick up another one when the right piece appears to sell. Taik to you some time.

Best wishes from Singapore 🤝

 
By: SingaporeMarc : February 6th, 2025-14:00