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Minerva Timezone (TZ) - 36 mm

Nov 06, 2024,16:36 PM
 

A brand I love. A brand that no longer exists (kinda). A brand that no longer has its name on the dial.

Minerva of Villeret … this is my NEO-vintage TZ (TimeZone) limited edition where 50 pieces were made in black dial with rose gold dagger indices and dauphine hands. Made in the year circa 2000. The company would be sold soon after.

Manual-wind Pythagore calibre 49. Golden ratio. The movement shows the creation by the André Frey. The family that owned Minerva was famed as much for their prowess in watchmaking as they were for their humility. 7-man team. Father and son. Hand written notes of thanks to collectors.

This was the only time the Pythagore was made in the 36 mm case size. 34 mm was most often seen. 38 mm not so common. But 36 mm was only made this once. They are all rare birds.

Many current collectors would not have even heard of the name Minerva today. That’s fine, some of the older collectors will remember.

Some shots from the kitchen today as I have my evening coffee.

🤝





















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Comments: view entire thread 

Superb. Lucky you!

 
By: amanico : November 6th, 2024-16:37

Thanks Nico. Many nights spent

 
By: SingaporeMarc : November 6th, 2024-16:48
searching for it… 😅 until one day, there is was. 🥰 🤝

I imagine.

 
By: amanico : November 6th, 2024-17:02

When looking at that watch

 
By: Thomas_3 : November 6th, 2024-16:44
I see perfection.

❤️ especially when we know the history,

 
By: SingaporeMarc : November 6th, 2024-16:50
the people that made it happen. A humble company with a proud heritage. 🤝

Absolutely love it!

 
By: Champthekid : November 6th, 2024-18:46

Love your Minerva’s as well ❤️

 
By: SingaporeMarc : November 6th, 2024-19:48
Was just chatting with Richard Paige who owned TZ and did the colab with Minerva for these. He explained that “49” seemed like a better number than “50”. Hence the xx/49 But he recalls that there was 0/49 that he had made for himself. So technically, 50 p... 

Very cool story.

 
By: Champthekid : November 6th, 2024-20:24
I remember Mr. Paige.

I would love to have 00/49 Minerva.

 
By: SingaporeMarc : November 7th, 2024-10:03
I have a 000/225 GP 🤝 ...  

A lovely watch, this one 👌🏻👍🏻

 
By: KMII : November 6th, 2024-20:39
One has to say in one way Minerva was trailblazing back then - their collaborations with Timezone predated the more common later ones and were a good guiding point of how such arrangements could be made to work. Some nice watches came out as a result 🙌🏻 ... 

Totally 💯

 
By: SingaporeMarc : November 7th, 2024-07:42
They engaged with collectors. And they did it sincerely. And this made all the difference. As you say, they were also pioneers of working with the forums. They were flexible and wanted to make what collectors wanted to see. In-turn, the collectors wanted ... 

The good old days 😁👍🏻

 
By: KMII : November 7th, 2024-07:44

Simplicity is often the best approach. This one ticks all the right circles. Not cubes!

 
By: nasseriq : November 6th, 2024-21:41

Agree. Just to add … simplicity is not that simple to achieve

 
By: SingaporeMarc : November 7th, 2024-07:38
☺️ 🤝