Parmigiani Fleurier
Encyclopedia
Parmigiani Fleurier SA is a Swiss
brand of luxury watchmaker
s founded in 1976 in Fleurier
, Switzerland
by Michel Parmigiani. In 2006, Parmigiani produced the Bugatti 370, a driving watch based on the Bugatti Veyron
supercar, which won the 2006 "Watch of the Year Award" from the Japan
ese press.
. Founder Michel Parmigiani had conceived the brand's spirit as far back as 1976 through his work restoring watchmaking artefacts and his unrivalled knowledge of the mechanical marvels of the past.
Major industrial challenges have been met. An entire network of craftsmanship and industrial expertise, bringing together the rarest and most essential skills, has been developed to cover every tiny detail of each watch, both inside and out. From the balance spring through the gear train to the case and dial, each link is assembled to form a complete, transparent production chain guaranteeing optimal quality. Its complete autonomy means that it is currently the only independent production house with a strong presence in the luxury watchmaking segment.
Its independence was instrumental in forging Parmigiani's inimitable style. Whether they feature simple or grande complication models, Parmigiani's collections are instantly recognisable thanks to their unique stylistic motifs. Over 20 ladies' and men's collections, all fitted with the 10 calibres developed in-house by Parmigiani, now form the basis of the brand's success. The Kalpa is the form that symbolises this success. Its pebble-smooth curves are punctuated by four rounded lugs which lead softly into the bracelet. They confer the same signature on the watch's profile, whether round or tonneau.
s and precious
or semi-precious stones. In order to create exclusivity, only a few thousand pieces are produced every year. Their watch lines include the Toric, Forma (renamed Kalpa) and the single watch, the Bugatti 370.
In 2006, the Bugatti 370 was awarded the "Watch of the Year" award by the Japanese Press. The watch is a driving watch based on the Bugatti Veyron
supercar
. It is designed to look like a transversal engine, and is mounted in 18 karat gold
. In order to make it readable while driving, the face of the watch has been placed in a vertical position on the case's front. The first Bugatti watch was given to car enthusiast Ralph Lauren
. Only one hundred fifty of the watches will be made each year, fifty of each of the three dial colors available. The watch will cost USD$
200,000. In 2009, Parmigiani Fleurier and Pershing, the Italian Yacht Company announced that they will be offering the first ever line of Pershing Aquatic sport watches. The watch will be available in two different lines - the limited edition one-one-five, and the Pershing Chronographs collection. The watch is available with a rubber strap or steel bracelet, and is water resistant up to 200 metres.
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
brand of luxury watchmaker
Watchmaker
A watchmaker is an artisan who makes and repairs watches. Since virtually all watches are now factory made, most modern watchmakers solely repair watches. However, originally they were master craftsmen who built watches, including all their parts, by hand...
s founded in 1976 in Fleurier
Fleurier
Fleurier was a municipality in the district of Val-de-Travers in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. On 1 January 2009, the former municipalities of Boveresse, Buttes, Couvet, Fleurier, Les Bayards, Môtiers, Noiraigue, Saint-Sulpice and Travers merged to form Val-de-Travers.The Nobel...
, Switzerland
Switzerland
Switzerland name of one of the Swiss cantons. ; ; ; or ), in its full name the Swiss Confederation , is a federal republic consisting of 26 cantons, with Bern as the seat of the federal authorities. The country is situated in Western Europe,Or Central Europe depending on the definition....
by Michel Parmigiani. In 2006, Parmigiani produced the Bugatti 370, a driving watch based on the Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid-engined grand touring car. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of . The original version has a top speed of...
supercar, which won the 2006 "Watch of the Year Award" from the Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese press.
History
Parmigiani Fleurier was started in 1996 in the heart of Val-de-TraversVal-de-Travers
Val-de-Travers is a municipality in the district of Val-de-Travers in the canton of Neuchâtel in Switzerland. It was created on 1 January 2009, when the former municipalities of Boveresse, Buttes, Couvet, Fleurier, Les Bayards, Môtiers, Noiraigue, Saint-Sulpice and Travers merged to form...
. Founder Michel Parmigiani had conceived the brand's spirit as far back as 1976 through his work restoring watchmaking artefacts and his unrivalled knowledge of the mechanical marvels of the past.
Major industrial challenges have been met. An entire network of craftsmanship and industrial expertise, bringing together the rarest and most essential skills, has been developed to cover every tiny detail of each watch, both inside and out. From the balance spring through the gear train to the case and dial, each link is assembled to form a complete, transparent production chain guaranteeing optimal quality. Its complete autonomy means that it is currently the only independent production house with a strong presence in the luxury watchmaking segment.
Its independence was instrumental in forging Parmigiani's inimitable style. Whether they feature simple or grande complication models, Parmigiani's collections are instantly recognisable thanks to their unique stylistic motifs. Over 20 ladies' and men's collections, all fitted with the 10 calibres developed in-house by Parmigiani, now form the basis of the brand's success. The Kalpa is the form that symbolises this success. Its pebble-smooth curves are punctuated by four rounded lugs which lead softly into the bracelet. They confer the same signature on the watch's profile, whether round or tonneau.
Watches
Parmigiani carries a men's line of watches, and a line that caters specifically to women. All Parmigiani Fleurier watches are hand-crafted, taking at least four hundred hours to create; they are created with only precious metalPrecious metal
A precious metal is a rare, naturally occurring metallic chemical element of high economic value.Chemically, the precious metals are less reactive than most elements, have high lustre, are softer or more ductile, and have higher melting points than other metals...
s and precious
Gemstone
A gemstone or gem is a piece of mineral, which, in cut and polished form, is used to make jewelry or other adornments...
or semi-precious stones. In order to create exclusivity, only a few thousand pieces are produced every year. Their watch lines include the Toric, Forma (renamed Kalpa) and the single watch, the Bugatti 370.
In 2006, the Bugatti 370 was awarded the "Watch of the Year" award by the Japanese Press. The watch is a driving watch based on the Bugatti Veyron
Bugatti Veyron
The Bugatti Veyron EB 16.4 is a mid-engined grand touring car. The Super Sport version is the fastest road-legal production car in the world, with a top speed of . The original version has a top speed of...
supercar
Supercar
Supercar is a term used most often to describe an expensive high end car. It has been defined specifically as "a very expensive, fast or powerful car"...
. It is designed to look like a transversal engine, and is mounted in 18 karat gold
Gold
Gold is a chemical element with the symbol Au and an atomic number of 79. Gold is a dense, soft, shiny, malleable and ductile metal. Pure gold has a bright yellow color and luster traditionally considered attractive, which it maintains without oxidizing in air or water. Chemically, gold is a...
. In order to make it readable while driving, the face of the watch has been placed in a vertical position on the case's front. The first Bugatti watch was given to car enthusiast Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren
Ralph Lauren is an American fashion designer and business executive; best known for his Polo Ralph Lauren clothing brand.-Early life:...
. Only one hundred fifty of the watches will be made each year, fifty of each of the three dial colors available. The watch will cost USD$
United States dollar
The United States dollar , also referred to as the American dollar, is the official currency of the United States of America. It is divided into 100 smaller units called cents or pennies....
200,000. In 2009, Parmigiani Fleurier and Pershing, the Italian Yacht Company announced that they will be offering the first ever line of Pershing Aquatic sport watches. The watch will be available in two different lines - the limited edition one-one-five, and the Pershing Chronographs collection. The watch is available with a rubber strap or steel bracelet, and is water resistant up to 200 metres.
External links
- An interview with founder Michel Parmigiani