Minerva chrono with 'import' at the bottom of the dial

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·Jun 10, 2021

Could the wisdom of the hive assist me with this please. I have a Minerva chrono with the valjoux 71 movement, I am thinking it dates to early 1940's. It has 'import' at the bottom of the dial rather than swiss, swiss made etc. I haven't seen this before, I have seen 'foreign', but not 'import'. The case is just marked edelstahl and a number and the movement isn't marked at all on the back side, it probably is under the dial but I haven't had the dial off to look. Can anyone enlighten me please?

 

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Vitezi

·Jun 10, 2021

It's more common to see "Importe de Suisse" as seen on this dial:

 

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·Jun 10, 2021

Thanks for that Vitezi. I have seen that before too. The 'import' looks to be printed separately from the rest of the dial to me and is clearly in english so I am thinking it could be printed once imported rather than at manufacture.

 

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Tony C.

·Jun 10, 2021·Ωf Jury member

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The 'import' looks to be printed separately from the rest of the dial to me and is clearly in english so I am thinking it could be printed once imported rather than at manufacture.

Quite likely. I would say. But in any case, the dial appears to be genuine and original. The hand lume, of course, is a different matter.

 

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Radiumpassion

·Jun 10, 2021

I have seen this on several watches sold in Sweden like this clamshell chronograph

 

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·Jun 10, 2021

Thanks radiumpassion, that's very interesting that it could be a Swedish import. Thats a really nice Perfecta.

Thanks TonyC, yes, the hands look to be relumed quite a while ago, it doesn't overly bother me to be honest as the original numeral lume is so black now, it doesn't look too out of sync to my eye.

 

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Mark020

·Jun 10, 2021·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

I’d say the numbers are redone as well. Perhaps you should consider a relume

 

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·Jun 10, 2021

Mark020

I’d say the numbers are redone as well. Perhaps you should consider a relume

What makes you think the numbers are redone too? They glow for a few seconds after a blast of UV so are radium and pre early 1960's. I didn't think initially think of changing any of the lume. I did consider removing the lume on the dial to leave the silver numbers but not to add new lume.

 

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DirtyDozen12

·Jun 10, 2021

I have no information about the "Import" marking but that is a fantastic Minerva. The dial looks lovely, to me, radium and all.

 

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Mark020

·Jun 11, 2021·not the sharpest pencil in the ΩF drawer

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What makes you think the numbers are redone too?

Because the lume looks a bit sloppy

 

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·Jun 11, 2021

DirtyDozen12

I have no information about the "Import" marking but that is a fantastic Minerva. The dial looks lovely, to me, radium and all.

Thank you DirtyDozen12, I think I agree about the dial, as Mark020 says it isn't super precise lume and you can barely see the numbers from time reading distance on the wrist they are so dark, but there is a feeling of originality to the dial in my eyes so will keep it as is. The hands are still up for consideration at a later date but for now I will leave them as is.

Re the 'import' Sweden being the initial country of destination is a strong candidate but the swedish for import is 'importera' according to google.

 

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KP-99

·Jun 11, 2021

Cannot help with the Import writing.
But it is a nice Minerva for sure.
Is it the Minerva found in the Lot in GB last week?
Was also interested -)

 

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·Jun 11, 2021

K KP-99

Cannot help with the Import writing.
But it is a nice Minerva for sure.
Is it the Minerva found in the Lot in GB last week?
Was also interested -)

It is, yes. In a funny mixed lot but the auction house is local to me so I could go and inspect it. I was initially hoping to get it at a much better price but am still very happy.

There was a rather nice, boxed anonymous 18k ladies watch from circa 1912, with a 16 jewel pin set movement with 4 adjustments in the lot and a nice silver fusee pocket watch, and a circa 1910 Omega fob watch in a gun metal case with surface rust that keep great time. Hopefully, enough value to cover some of the servicing cost of the Minerva.