Cote d'Ivoire - In a significant move, Minerva, a historic watchmaking brand, has unveiled the Montblanc Minerva Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition 18. This new creation marks the return of a legendary timepiece, showcasing Minerva's mechanical expertise and rich history. The limited edition is part of Minerva's resurgence, now operating under its own name after years of association with Montblanc. According to a report by Le Nouveau Réveil, this edition exemplifies Minerva's commitment to placing its mechanical developments at the forefront of its identity.
The Montblanc Minerva Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition 18 features a 44.8mm yellow gold case with a 15.03mm thickness, designed to highlight its complex mechanical architecture. The case boasts a fully polished finish, with fluted lugs and an onion-shaped crown reminiscent of Minerva's historical pocket watches. The watch is equipped with a sapphire crystal and a transparent case back, allowing for a view of the intricate movement. The timepiece is water-resistant up to 30 meters and comes with a green alligator leather strap.
The dial of the Montblanc Minerva Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition 18 is a distinctive element, featuring a deep green guilloché base paired with yellow gold decorative elements. A decentralized hours and minutes display is positioned at 12 o'clock on a black onyx disk, accompanied by 18-karat yellow gold hands and Roman numerals. A yellow gold plate traverses the upper part of the dial, bearing the Minerva logo and the mention "Since 1858," highlighting the brand's historical origins.
The star of the show is the Exo tourbillon, visible at 6 o'clock, with its unique suspended bridge emphasizing the mechanical particularity of this architecture. The watch is powered by the in-house caliber M16.68, a manual winding movement that features a separated balance wheel and tourbillon cage. The balance wheel, measuring 14.5mm in diameter, is positioned above the rotating mechanism, giving rise to the Exo name.
The caliber M16.68 has a frequency of 18,000 alternations per hour and offers approximately 50 hours of power reserve. It consists of 218 components and 19 rubies, with a heavily decorated movement featuring circular graining, Côtes de Genève, and hand-finished surfaces. The movement is also controlled by Minerva's Laboratory Test 500H, an internal certification protocol.
Only 18 examples of the Montblanc Minerva Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition 18 will be produced, each individually crafted. The watch is priced at 160,000 euros and will be available through Montblanc's distribution channels, including their official website. The limited edition comes in a decorated box featuring hand-applied gold olive branches, with 18 olives and 58 leaves symbolizing the number of pieces produced and Minerva's founding year.
This limited edition represents a significant milestone for Minerva, showcasing the brand's ability to blend its rich heritage with modern watchmaking techniques. With its unique Exo tourbillon and intricate movement, the Montblanc Minerva Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition 18 is a testament to Minerva's commitment to excellence and craftsmanship.
Key points
- The Montblanc Minerva Exo Tourbillon Limited Edition 18 is a highly exclusive timepiece, limited to 18 pieces, with a price tag of 160,000 euros.
- The watch features a unique Exo tourbillon with a separated balance wheel and tourbillon cage, showcasing Minerva's innovative mechanical expertise.
- The limited edition comes in a beautifully decorated box with hand-applied gold olive branches, symbolizing Minerva's heritage and the number of pieces produced.
