Lot 233

Montblanc

Minerva Villeret 1858 Grand Chronographe Email Grand Feu Pure Mecanique Horlogere

An extremely rare, heavy, high-quality "monopusher" chronograph, as new, with black Champlevé enamel dial and featuring the legendary chronograph calibre 16.29 "Minerva Villeret 1858 Grand Chronographe Email Grand Feu Pure Mecanique Horlogere" - with original box, operating instructions and certificate. Limited edition number 4 of only 8 pieces made

This exclusive chronograph with a marvelous enamel dial was launched in a limited edition of only 8 pieces to mark the 150th anniversary of Minerva in 2009. The last remaining examples of the highly sophisticated, traditional chronograph calibre 16.29 were used for this special edition - with plates and bridges made of rhodium-plated German silver, the bridges chamfered by hand and decorated with Geneva stripes. In accordance with traditional watchmaking practice, the chronograph is controlled by a column wheel which is put into position and locked for each function by the chronograph lever. A horizontal train with a large chronograph wheel drives the mechanism; the large screw balance is certainly an eye-catcher, with an inertia value that ensures the smooth and steady running of the movement.
The 18 K white gold case features a concave bezel; the screwed-down sapphire glass back is protected by a hinged, concave cuvette which opens when a patented mechanism (invisible from the outside) is released. The inside lid is is inscribed with the signature of master watchmaker Demetrio Cabiddu, today’s CTO at Montblanc. Demetrio Cabiddu was, among other things, involved in the development of the legendary calibre 27 CHRO C12, which was used for the Omega Speedmaster during the moon landing in 1969.