Minerva Vintage Chronograph Wristwatch
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1940s
This Minerva vintage wristwatch dates from the 1940s and features a 37 mm steel case with articulated loop lugs and a snap-on back. The silvered dial displays luminous dots, an Arabic numeral 12, an outer fifth-of-a-second track, and three subsidiary dials configured for running seconds at 9 o'clock, a 30-minute register at 3 o'clock, and a 12-hour register at 6 o'clock.
Time is indicated by Mercedes-style luminous hands and a blued chronograph seconds hand. The auction house reports that it houses a gold-plated Valjoux 22 column-wheel movement with a lever escapement, screw balance, and Breguet hairspring.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 1
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Technical characteristics
- Type
- Chronograph
- Dial Finish
- Silvered dial with luminous dots and Arabic 12
- Case Diameter
- 37 mm
- Case Material
- Steel
- Place recorded
- Switzerland
- Movement Calibre
- Valjoux 22
- Maker / attribution
- Minerva
- Chronograph Complication
- Column wheel with 30-minute and 12-hour counters
Design
- Dial and Hands
- The watch utilizes a three-register layout with sub-dials for the running seconds at the 9 o'clock position, a 30-minute counter at 3 o'clock, and a 12-hour counter at 6 o'clock. The time is displayed via luminous Mercedes-style hands, supplemented by a blued chronograph hand.
- Visible features
- • Three-register chronograph layout with subsidiary dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock. • Mercedes-style hands with aged luminous material and blued central chronograph hand. • Fitted with hinged or articulating loop lugs on a black leather cuff strap. • Dial is marked 'SHOCK ABSORBER' above the 6 o'clock subdial.
- Mechanical Specification
- The auction description identifies the movement as a gold-plated Valjoux 22 caliber. It is noted to feature a lever escapement, screw-compensated balance, and a Breguet hairspring. The condition of the movement and internal components is stated as described by the auction house; these details are not independently verified.
- Case and External Configuration
- The watch features a steel case with a snap-on back, measuring 37 mm in diameter. It is described as having moving lug components. The dial is silvered and features luminous dots, an Arabic numeral 12, and an Arabic minute track with a 1/5-second graduation.
Identification
- Source note
- Facts transcribed from the linked source listing or collection record. Attribution and specifications are source-reported and have not been independently authenticated.
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: Movement and case back interior are not shown in the image.
- Research required: Movement caliber, finishing, and condition are reported by the auction house and not independently verified.