The Superb Inverted Movement of the 39mm Minerva The Unveiled Secret
Minerva has transitioned into a standalone brand under the Richemont Group and released new 39mm versions of its 'Unveiled Secret' chronograph. The new models feature a compact design and a patented movement, marking a shift from previous double-branded Montblanc collaborations.
Why it matters
This represents a strategic brand repositioning for a historic watchmaker seeking to emphasize its independent heritage.
Long admired as a producer of “the most beautiful chronograph calibres in the world”, Minerva was founded in 1858 in Villeret and unveiled its first chronograph movement (calibre 19-9) in 1908, the beginning of the brand’s long and successful foray into hand-finished stopwatches and chronographs. Proud of Minerva’s rich chronograph heritage , Montblanc released the Unveiled Secret in 2022, a classic column-wheel monopusher chronograph housed in a large 43mm case, with a twist. Instead of revealing the movement’s signature features on the caseback, the entire calibre was inverted and exposed on the dial side… And I’m sure you’ll agree that it would be hard to argue with that decision.
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