321 - Minerva - Military Chronograph

Minerva - Military Chronograph (*) A rare vintage military wrist chronograph with 30 min. counter Ref. 1335, Cal. Alpina, Dimensions 34 mm, circa 1940, Origin Schweiz Case: Steel, screw back. Dial: Black glossy dial, luminous Arabic numerals, luminous hands. Movm.: Manual. Alpina was a Swiss horological collective founded by Gottlieb Hauser in Biel/Bienne BE in 1883 under the name Alpina "Union Horlogère S.A." (German name: Schweizerische Uhrmacher-Genossenschaft (SUG)). This collective of retailers and manufacturers was established for the procurement and retail of high-quality wrist- and pocket watches, as well as the parts and movements of these. The first Minerva wristwatch was produced in 1909, but the company had its greatest success in 1923 with the introduction of calibre 13-20. The movement perfectly reflects the classic and sophisticated architecture of wrist chronographs of that time featuring the iconic "V" bridge, the column wheel design, the Breguet balance and 17 jewels. This watch model founded Minerva’s reputation as makers of complicated movements of superior quality. This Minerva wrist chronograph fascinates with its charismatic beauty and rarity. It is a marvellous example of an early military chronograph and stands out particularly due to the typical black dial. Equally striking is the case which still retains its original contours and edges. Case: very good, slightly worn. Dial: very good. Movm.: very good, capable of running, cleaning recommended. Please note that leather straps made from endangered or protected species - such as alligator, crocodile, or lizard - are used in our catalogue or on our website for illustration purposes only. For customs-related reasons, such straps cannot be shipped outside the EU.