The Goddess Returns to Villeret on the Minerva Exo Tourbillon Skeleton Limited Edition

Establishing Minerva as a standalone brand in 2026 was a smart move. Acquired by the Richemont Group in 2006 to elevate Montblanc’s watchmaking credentials, the decision to let Minerva step out of Montblanc’s shadow and operate independently under its own name clears up much of the confusion created by the dual-branded watches. And although Minerva remains within the corporate umbrella of the Montblanc Maison, liberating the brand restores the elite, ultra-exclusive and hand-finished pedigree that is so admired by high-end collectors.

The timepiece’s mechanical heart relies on the patented Exo Tourbillon mechanism , introduced in 2010, separating the balance wheel from the rotating tourbillon cage. Developed by master watchmakers at Minerva for Montblanc, the name is derived from the Greek word exo for outside. In effect, the massive 14.5mm balance wheel is elevated on a higher plane, completely outside and above the tourbillon cage.