1960s Minerva Chronograph VD 712 made for the Swedish Military

The Minerva brand was born in 1858 in Villeret not far from Le Locles, Brassus… The discrete brand, was into the chronometric effervescence of the 1830s which will guide it to the precision measurement, of pocket, then of wrist. We know Minerva in particular by an impressive 1/100th chronometer designed in 1916!

This brand has never ceased to produce watches, without the slightest interruption for more than 160 years and without ever giving in to the use of quartz.

Aesthetically this piece is very nicely presented on the wrist, we have a beautiful case and dial both in good condition, with three nice brushed counters. A unique atmosphere emerges from this dial with its cream tone and blued hands aged by time.

The plus of this piece is the dustproof case of 36 mm and a signature on the back. That of the Swedish army recognizable as for most of their military pieces, by the three crowns “Tre Kronor”, engraved on the back with the inscription 0.

Mechanically this chronograph is animated by the legendary manual movement Valjoux 72, of high quality and whose reputation is not any more to make.

This very watch was featured in Hodinkee’s Bring a Loupe in 2016.