Not all images were able to load for printing. Please close the print window and try again. The Superb Inverted Movement of the 39mm Minerva Unveiled Secret Limited Editions
Two compact 39mm editions showcase Minerva’s reversed monopusher chronograph movement celebrating its newfound status as a stand-alone brand.
Earlier this year, Minerva stepped out from the shadow of Montblanc to reclaim its independent, stand-alone branding and celebrated the occasion by releasing two limited editions of the Unveiled Secret. Presented in compact 39mm cases with wine-red accents and a new, inverted in-house monopusher chronograph calibre exposed in all its magnificence on the dial, rest assured that the downsized dimensions, which have made the watch (far) more wearable, have not compromised the viewing pleasure.
Long admired as a producer of “the most beautiful chronograph calibres in the world”, Minerva was founded in 1858 in Villeret and unveiled its first chronograph movement (calibre 19-9) in 1908, the beginning of the brand’s long and successful foray into hand-finished stopwatches and chronographs. Proud of Minerva’s rich chronograph heritage, Montblanc released the Unveiled Secret in 2022, a classic column-wheel monopusher chronograph housed in a large 43mm case, with a twist. Instead of revealing the movement’s signature features on the caseback, the entire calibre was inverted and exposed on the dial side… And it will be hard to argue against that decision, don’t you think?
A couple of things have changed since then. Acquired by Richemont Group in 2006 to elevate Montblanc’s watchmaking credentials, Minerva officially stepped away from Montblanc’s double-branding structure earlier this year to become a stand-alone brand. Although Minerva remains under Montblanc’s parent management, it now operates independently. To celebrate the Villeret manufacture’s emancipation, Minerva released several single-branded models in April 2026. The main novelty, the entirely new one, was the Unveiled Crownless. Next to it were several editions of the Unveiled Secret, including the two compact and colourful versions we’re exploring today.
Drawing a divisory line between earlier double-branded Montblanc 1858 Unveiled Secret models, with their undoubtedly large 43mm x 14.8mm cases, newly independent Minerva proposes a more compact 39mm case with a 14.18mm thickness to showcase the reversed movement. Another important distinction involves the movement. Replacing the large pocket-watch-derived 37.5mm calibre Minerva MB16.29 developed for the 43mm Unveiled Secret, Minerva has created an entirely new, more compact and patented manufacture movement for the 39mm case.
Limited to 58 pieces, the two-tone stainless steel model with a rose gold bezel is accompanied by a more luxurious 18-piece edition crafted entirely in 18k rose gold with 84 brilliant-cut diamonds set in the fixed bezel. Despite the diamond setting, both references retain the signature fluting on the bezel, which continues onto the rose gold onion-shaped crown with its embedded monopusher. Naturally, the Montblanc star on the crown has been replaced by Minerva’s hallmark arrow engraved in relief. Although the 39mm case diameter hits the current sweet spot, the 14.18mm thickness for a hand-wound watch might raise a few eyebrows – a feature amply compensated by the viewing pleasure afforded by the dial. Another issue that we’ve noted on the Unveiled Crownless is the position of the lug holes, resulting in pointy lug tips… Something Minerva should address.
Both limited editions share the same attractive wine-red colour scheme, visible on the flange and the three rings in the dial’s centre. Compared with the earlier double-branded inverted models, incorporating colour substantially enhances legibility. To ensure a clear view of the mechanics, the slim red flange bearing the rose gold-plated indices supports the three overlapping rings hovering over the dial’s centre. The central ring framing the hour, minute and chronograph seconds hand is flanked on the left by the 30-minute totaliser with a white Minerva arrow-shaped hand and on the right by the running seconds counter. The vintage syringe-style hour and minute hands and the indices are treated with white Super-LumiNova for heightened legibility.
The spectacle unfolding behind the superimposed skeletonised elements of the dial is a mechanical treat of the highest order. By activating the monopusher inside the crown, you can see how the steel chronograph levers click, and the column wheel rotates. Other features like the devil’s tail (Minerva arrow) chronograph lever at 1 o’clock and the iconic V-shaped Minerva bridge at 4 o’clock underscore the watch’s provenance. The large 11.4mm balance wheel, beating at a leisurely pace of 18,000 vibrations/hour, is also visible on the dial side, adding to the kinetic spectacle. The power reserve of this manual-winding movement is 60 hours.
The mainplates and bridges of the movement are crafted from rhodium-plated German silver (aka maillechort), hand-decorated with Geneva stripes and circular graining. Since all the action is on the dial, the rose gold or steel caseback is sealed and features a laser engraving of the historic Minerva manufacture in Villeret, now with the Minerva brand name depicted in relief at noon and no mention of Montblanc.
Both limited editions are paired with a wine-coloured alligator leather strap featuring a triple-folding clasp with a fine-adjustment system, but no quick-change system. The steel and gold model, limited to 58 pieces, retails for EUR 58,000, while the 18-piece rose gold reference retails for EUR 88,000.
More information at montblanc.com.
