Of course the Minerva is better finished that the Patek (or any regular higher much higher volumes chronographs).
And I don't say that the lower the volumes, the better the finishing, automatically.
But, if a brand chooses to have a low output volume for a model, then they can easily spend more time on finishing. It doesn't mean they always do, but they can. JLC didn't wish to yet but I know they have the know-how. They have other models and significant volumes to take care of in the mean time. Patek has the know-how but don't choose to go that way and are in favor of another balance/alchemy. If they chose to go that way for a limited edition for instance, the price would be insane because of the demand, which is not what I want either.
On the other hand, with much higher volumes of productions like most traditional brands have, it is much more difficult (nearly impossible) expecially since the qualified workforce is harder to find today.
For the case's size, I perfectly understood from you first post that is was because of the movement's size but, as they had the same beautiful movements in smaller sizes, I thought they could have found a solution here.
However, now you explain me the historical sizes these watches used to be in the past, I can understand and accept the choice of course.
Cheers, Mark