Parmigiani celebrates its 20th anniversary with a magnificent showcase of horological prowess.
Parmigiani celebrates its 20th anniversary with a magnificent showcase of horological prowess.
Parmigiani Fleurier is just 20 years old – practically an infant in the world of haute horlogerie – but it has been two decades of occasionally surprising but always solid watchmaking. And to celebrate this anniversary, the independent watchmaker has released two timepieces that prove you don’t need centuries of history to turn heads.
The first is the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire, and its biggest draw is the PF361 movement’s integrated chronograph. This is rare as chronographs are often built modularly, making them more affordable to produce and easier to service. Building such a complex complication from scratch takes a lot of skill, but it pays off with more precise timekeeping. The chronograph is also a split-seconds one, allowing the wearer to time different events that start but don’t end together.
The PF361 is comprised of 317 parts, runs at a speedy 5Hz and can do so for 65 hours after each wind. It is crafted from gold, making it just as visually impressive as its specifications. The manually winding movement has been skeletonised to offer a deeper view of the mechanics within, and the hand-finishing of each unit alone requires more than 50 hours. It is available in 18K white or rose gold with a white or royal blue enamel dial.
The second watch is a unique piece, inspired by the very first model that founder Michel Parmigiani created for the brand — the tonneau-shaped Kalpa.
The Kalpa Hebdomadaire Anniversaire is all about subdued prestige. The case is made of steel, but the movement on the back is breathtaking. It is a complete re-design of the original Hebdomadaire (named for its eight-day power reserve) in yellow gold, with the surfaces bearing dragon wing motifs that are carved by hand. The dial is typically elegant, offering power reserve indicator, date and small seconds.
