Brothers Charles and Hyppolite Robert founded H. & C. Robert in 1858, ultimately becoming Minerva in 1887. The brand achieved worldwide recognition for their exceptional military chronograph wristwatches, and is today well known for producing movements at the highest level of luxury.

The present watch from approximately 1935 is a wonderful example, with a snail-shaped tachometer ring located at the center of the dial and a telemeter scale found on the outer edge of the dial. The white printed scales are clearly visible against the black dial, providing stunning contrast. By conclusion, we can assume it was made for members of the army, particularly pilots, giving them the ability to quickly and easily read it. Additionally, the watch features a rotating bezel with a triangular shaped luminous marker, matching the luminous Arabic hour markers and hands.

A single button chronograph, the present watch is extremely oversized with a diameter measuring 46mm, and is fitted with a massive crown – two important qualities for a pilot’s watch to possess. One can assume the size of the crown and pusher was made so pilots could engage the chronograph function with ease while wearing gloves in cold climates at 20,000 feet in the air. The caseback is stamped 469’024, with the last two numbers ‘24’ found underneath the lug. Showing few signs of prior wear, the watch was well preserved over its some 80-year life span. Watches such as the present one are not easily found in today’s market, making it a true find for the pilot’s watch enthusiast.