Founded in 1858 by Charles-Yvan Robert and Hyppolite Robert of Villeret, what would eventually become the Minerva Watch brand in 1887 was initially an "tablisseurs" of watches, an assembler of watches from parts manufactured elsewhere. It wasn t until 1902, under the leadership of C. Robert s sons, Charles-Auguste and Georges-Louis, that Minerva became a "manufacture" of watches a watchmaker that designed and manufactured the most critical parts, such as the movement blank, in their own engineering workshops.
The earliest Minerva wristwatch was manufactured in 1909, but the watch company s greatest success came in 1923 with the introduction the No. 20, a calibre that perfectly illustrates the classic and refined architecture of wrist chronographs of that era, with a column-wheel mechanism, a Breguet balance-spring and 17 jewels. With the launch of this watch, the company earned its reputation as a manufacturer of complicated movements of exceptional quality.
In 1936, Minerva was responsible for time-keeping in the 1936 Winter Olympics in Garmisch-Partenkirchen, and in the years after WWII, developed a full range of mechanical movements, complemented by automatic movements made by Ebauches S.A. In 1983, the company celebrated its 125th anniversary with the introduction of an electronic master clock, the MCT 125, which sustained and commemorated the spirit and tradition of the master watchmakers of bygone eras.
In 1988, the company produced the "Tablier" watch, one of the most aesthetically subtle creations in the history of watchmaking, followed by the most complex watch ever made by Minerva. Based upon the classic No. 20 chronograph movement, the company added a full analog calendar and a "negative" type moon phase indicator. A laurel wreath (symbol of the Roman Goddess of Wisdom, Minerva) was engraved upon its gold bezel and it was produced in a limited series of 50. The "Palladio" was introduced in 1991, an original mechanism for rapid-setting of a second time zone, fitted on an automatic chronograph with a chronometer certificate.
Last updated August 10, 2003
Listing of merchants offering watches online
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Watchzone.com is one of the Internet's leading online fashion brand watch store, offering discounted prices on quality, name-brand fashion watches such as Armani, Calvin Klein, Fossil, Movado, Nike, Tag Heuer and more. WatchZone has a low price guarantee and offer Free 2nd Day Shipping via FedEx.
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Buy Brand Name Watches at Discount Prices
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Princeton Watches - is a leading online retailer of sports, dress and diving watches. They have been on the web since 1997 and are highly rated by the Better Business Bureau and Bizrate. They are an authorized retailer for every line they carry and have a big inventory and fast efficient shipping and service with low shipping fees.
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Diamond.com is a wonderful site with many watch brands including a huge slection of Omega. Free Standard Shipping on all orders over $150. 
Click here to view all Omega watches.
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Save up to 80% everyday on all Watches at Overstock.com!
Overstock.com is an online retailer specializing in close-out merchandis at 40-70% off TOP NAME BRANDS like Omega, Fuji, Krups, Olympus, Titleist, Movado, IBM, and more!
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Gioie.it - Italian Jewels Online -
Gioie.it is located in Europe and is dedicated exclusivity to the jewelry trade on the Internet. They have extremely competitive prices. Shipping to the US is a flat $9.95 EURO and most products ship within 48 hours. They have a huge assortment of Sector watches.
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WorldofWatches.com -
NAME BRAND WATCHES AT ROCK-BOTTOM PRICES. Over 25 of the top brands with top selling watches from each brand. Save up to 60% on the worlds finest watches. WorldofWatches.com is proud to offer FREE ground shipping on all orders totaling at least $150.
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ICE.com -
Has most popular and preimum brands.Click here and FREE SHIPPING on ALL orders at ICE.com! Use code FRSHP-833147 at check out. Offer ends 10/30/03.
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Ashford offers FREE ground shipping on all orders totaling at least $150.
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