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Minerva Decimal Chronograph (Ref. VD712), 1960s — view 1 of 6
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Minerva Decimal Chronograph (Ref. VD712), 1960s

DocumentedDocumented from a dealer's listing; attribution and date as stated by the dealer.
Maker / attribution
Minerva (maker)
Date
1960s
Country of origin
Switzerland
Object type
Wristwatch
Stock no.
MNVACHR-2
Credit line
Dealer listing, Craft & Tailored (MNVACHR-2)
Catalogue title (original)
1960s Minerva Decimal Chronograph (Ref. VD712) (English)

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Record summary

Catalogued by Craft & Tailored (dealer), Los Angeles (stock number MNVACHR-2), this is a wristwatch by Minerva, made in Switzerland, dated 1960s. The Atlas places it in the Modern Mechanical Horology period (1945 – 1969) of its Wristwatches collection. The record is illustrated with 6 photographs.

Assembled from the source record's structured fields. Dates and attributions are given as the source states them; where a field is missing the Atlas leaves it blank rather than estimating.

Catalogue description

Dealer description — Craft & Tailored

In 1858, Charles Robert and his brother Hyppolyte founded a movement-making company appropriately called H. & C. Robert in the Swiss town of Villaret. 28 years later, they registered the Minerva brand (named after the goddess of farming, craftsmanship, and science). Then, a couple of decades after that, Minerva released their first chronograph movement, the cal. 19-9. The brand would go on to be known as one of the best chronograph makers in the industry, which is why this ref. VD712 is so cool. As part of that amazing lineage, we know the heartbeat is something to get excited about. But on top of that, you've got the gorgeous, timeless design of this 3-register chronograph. And really, what more do you need? Stock # MNVACHR-2 Brand Minerva Style Chronograph Model VD712 Serial 4XXXXX Size Men's Material Stainless Steel Dial White W/ Red "Decimal" Scale Millimeters 36 Bracelet 2pc Leather Strap CASE & BRACELET The beautiful case is in exceptional condition, featuring heavily beveled straight lugs that appear to have only been very minimally polished in the past and show light signs of use. the case retains its original pump pushers and unsigned crown. The case back retains all of its factory markings in deep and crisp condition. The watch will come supplied on a 2pc handmade leather strap. DIAL & HANDS The original white is in near-mint condition, showing almost no age and absolutely no damage. The black printing and text, as well as the bright red decimal scale, remain in flawless condition throughout. The original Arabic lumed markers exhibit no degradation when inspected under U.V. light and have taken on a handsome brown patina. The blued steel hands and sub-dial hands all remain original to the watch and match the dial patina perfectly, under U.V. light inspection there is no visible degradation present. ACCESSORIES

Historical context

Modern Mechanical Horology (1945 – 1969)

Tool watches for divers, pilots and astronauts; electric watches anticipate the electronic age.

The classic era of the mechanical wristwatch: dive watches, chronographs for motor racing and space flight, GMT watches for jet travel, slim dress watches, automatic calendars, and the rise of Japanese manufacturers alongside Swiss, American, German and Soviet industries.

Read the period in the timelineMore wristwatches from this periodEarlier: Golden Age of Mechanical Watchmaking

Atlas type guide

Chronographs and split-seconds watches

A chronograph is a watch with an additional seconds hand that can be started, stopped and returned to zero independently of the timekeeping. Louis Moinet built an early example in 1816 and Nicolas Rieussec a recording 'chronographe' in 1821; Adolphe Nicole's heart-shaped reset cam (patented 1862) made the modern return-to-zero possible. Split-seconds (rattrapante) chronographs add a second hand that can be stopped for intermediate times; flyback chronographs restart instantly.

Chronographs were essential tools for doctors (pulsometer scales), artillery (telemeter), engineers and sport. In wristwatches, Valjoux, Venus, Lemania and later the automatic chronographs of 1969 (Zenith El Primero, the Chronomatic Calibre 11 group and Seiko 6139) are milestones.

What to look for

  • Push-pieces on the case band or a single button in the crown (monopusher).
  • Subsidiary registers for minutes and hours; tachymeter, telemeter or pulsometer scales.
  • Column wheel versus cam control visible in the movement.
  • Calibre markings of specialist makers (Valjoux, Lemania, Venus, Landeron).

Dating clues

  • Pocket chronographs with heart cam reset: after 1862.
  • Wrist chronographs: from c. 1910; two-button designs from the 1930s.
  • Automatic chronographs: from 1969.

General guidance written by the Atlas editors about this kind of object. It is not a statement about this particular piece; for that, rely on the source record above and on physical examination.

Read next:Flyback chronographChronograph

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