The history of the Minerva 13-20 (now 13.21) - nearly 100 years old.

May 21, 2020,07:41 AM
 

I too have one of these.  Mine is from that period of time when the Frey family sold the company - and before they became affiliated with MontBlanc (the early 2000's).  Spectacular movement.  The original Minerva 13-20 dates from 1923.  And these newer versions of it are essentially the same, although with significantly better finishing.  It's a nearly 100 year old calibre.  It's old school:  column wheel, horizontal coupling, etc.  Still functions perfectly.  I wonder if, in 2023, Montblanc will celebrate the 100 year anniversary of this historic caliber?





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Minerva calibre 13.21 powering my Montblanc Villeret chronograph

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 20th, 2020-16:48
View under a loupe. Enjoy Cheers Robin ...  

A real feast! [nt]

 
 By: amanico : May 20th, 2020-16:55

Indeed !

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-05:45
I don’t get bored of this one

Beauty Robin

 
 By: Tick Talk : May 20th, 2020-17:25
Wear it (and photograph it) in good health

Thanks a lot Dean !

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-05:46
Good to hear from you again

That's it!

 
 By: TeutonicCarFan : May 20th, 2020-18:07
A true beauty

Glad you like this :) [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-05:46

Welcome back Robin!

 
 By: patrick_y : May 20th, 2020-20:56
Missed you very much!

Haha thanks buddy ! [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-05:46

Beautiful view Robin

 
 By: singingbee : May 20th, 2020-22:50
Loves it!

Thanks bro ! :) [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-05:46

These Minerva chronos are all beauties :) [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-05:47

Thanks mate ! [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-05:47

Have a look

 
 By: Weems@8 : May 21st, 2020-02:57
When it comes to movements, calibre 13.21 is a stunning movement. It sets me thinking, get a watch with a balanced adjusted balance wheel.

I don't often post on this board, but for you? Great to see you my Friend!

 
 By: MichaelC : May 21st, 2020-07:09
Awesome movement shot too. Hope all is well your way.

All well here amigo :)

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-17:02
Nice to hear from you ! Take care and stay safe Cheers Robin

The history of the Minerva 13-20 (now 13.21) - nearly 100 years old.

 
 By: chezlaskin : May 21st, 2020-07:41
I too have one of these. Mine is from that period of time when the Frey family sold the company - and before they became affiliated with MontBlanc (the early 2000's). Spectacular movement. The original Minerva 13-20 dates from 1923. And these newer versio...  

+ 1 ! [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-17:03

Beautiful dial and movement !!

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 21st, 2020-17:03
Thanks for sharing ! Would love to see how Montblanc celebrates that anniversary Cheers Robin

WOW! This is gorgeous

 
 By: singingbee : May 21st, 2020-21:53
Really hope MB will release something similar to this for Minerva anniversary! And if you decide to let go off this beauty one day, please let me know! I know I am just trying my luck.

Spectacular...thanks for sharing Chez. [nt]

 
 By: redcorals : July 26th, 2020-05:48
No message body

my 13.21. says hello

 
 By: penfriend : May 22nd, 2020-02:41
although I must admit that the earlier produced Villeret calibers like yours are even better finished than the more recent ones like mine. as I own the 16.29 (snake dial chrono) and the 16.32 (tachydate) from the Villeret collection I have compared a lot ...  

That I totally agree! [nt]

 
 By: singingbee : May 22nd, 2020-03:26

+1 [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 22nd, 2020-06:13

I think so to be honest

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 24th, 2020-06:39
At least when they were very exclusive in the Collection Villeret days. Now with so many deployed into the 1858 series , I have my doubts. Will be good if someone can compare under a loupe the 13.21s in the older Villeret collection vs the current 13.21s ... 

as I mentioned in a different thread recently

 
 By: penfriend : July 25th, 2020-08:16
All watches from the Montblanc Villeret 1858 Collection (now discontinuedI) carry on the backside "Fait main a Villeret" (handmade in Villeret). The "newer" models with the same calibers carry "Swiss made". I once heard the rumor that some pieces of the c... 

to be honest no

 
 By: penfriend : July 26th, 2020-03:58
But the strategy under the former CEO Mr. Bethge was to produce 100% in Villeret (fait main) and to invent new calibers in a HC category instead of scaling up existing calibers. They had the 1-8-58 approach for watches, meaning 1 version in platinum, 8 in... 

surely they are still being produced

 
 By: penfriend : July 26th, 2020-05:32
but my guess is that they are now not solely made in Villeret (but maybe parts are supplied from third parties?) I really don't know for 100%; but having been to Villeret twice I am very sure that this small group of watchmakers cannot produce these quant... 

Thanks for sharing, I much prefer the older strategy

 
 By: singingbee : July 26th, 2020-04:40
I have downloaded the PDF for my reference already.

Yes that cannot be disputed

 
 By: singingbee : July 26th, 2020-04:54
The 1858 Tachymeter is the most value for money chronograph for a collector to enter the world of haute horology chronographs.

as you know I also own the 1858 green 13.21 from the newer times

 
 By: penfriend : July 26th, 2020-05:35
because the dial is so amazing and because it seems to be (hopefully) the only green iteration

I think there are only 1 model which is below 40mm in the old Villeret collection

 
 By: singingbee : July 27th, 2020-00:24
The Villeret Vintage Pulsographe is 39.5mm and available in WG and RG variants. Each variant has 58 pieces.

Yes those two beauties!

 
 By: singingbee : July 27th, 2020-00:47
The black enamel dial model seems even rarer. Can’t find much pics or posts on it on forums.

Thanks for sharing !

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : July 25th, 2020-08:48
I missed your previous post. This is very interesting. I am glad I have a timepiece from the now discontinued Collection 1858

Wah good to compare and verify next time :) [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 22nd, 2020-06:14

Yes bro

 
 By: singingbee : May 22nd, 2020-07:32
Then we need to find someone who have the more recent models featuring the 13.21. With regards to the other larger Minerva calibres, I have no comments as I have nothing to compare against. Maybe Winston will know more?

Yah bro, we can ask the Beerstyle bro :) [nt]

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 25th, 2020-16:30

Yes bro ! 😀 [nt]

 
 By: singingbee : May 26th, 2020-01:17

Nice shot !

 
 By: jrwong23 (aka watchthebin) : May 22nd, 2020-06:13
I didn’t realise earlier vs later periods Minerva calibres from Villeret have different finishing levels. I assumed they are the same. Will try to check out next time