Modern watchmaker
Nestled among the hundreds-of-year old historic Swiss watchmaking maisons is Parmigiani Fleurier, a luxury watchmaker that, in terms of age, is a relative newcomer. Established in 1996, it is the brainchild of Michel Parmigiani, a precocious watchmaker and watch restorer, and the Sandoz Family Foundation, a former client of Michel Parmigiani and who encouraged him to start his own brand. Today the maison operates from its Fleurier headquarters and five production sites in Switzerland, with collectors able to buy its designs around the world, most notably at what it calls its Studios, currently in Paris, London and Miami. The brand has also collaborated with mechanically-minded partners – such as Bugatti, from Molsheim, France, and super yacht maker Pershing - adding an exciting range of top seller designs to its core lineup.
Bugatti Type 390
The Bugatti Type 390 is among the most complicated watches that one can buy from Parmigiani Fleurier. Inspired by the free flowing chassis of the Bugatti Chiron, watch boasts an 80-hour power reserve that’s powered by a seven-layer tubular movement - which includes a tourbillon at the end of the cylinder. In an 18ct white gold case with a black dial and rose gold indexes, the watch also comes with an Hermès strap.
Parmigiani x Pershing
Like Parmigiani’s relationship with Bugatti, the maritime partner is super yacht makers Pershing. Although the watches are no longer available to buy today, they are still very much talking points, with a host of seller outlets out there where one can buy on the secondary market. Among the most interesting designs is the Pershing 002 chronograph, with the rose gold version especially eye catching (and comes paired with the rubber strap for men and white alligator for women).
Kalpa Hebdomadaire
The Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa Hebdomadaire (formerly the Parmigiani Fleurier Ionica), or the name given to the signature rectangular or tonneau shape, is one of the founding forms of the Parmigiani house. It speaks to the vintage watch restoration roots of Michel Parmigiani, and is one the most popular and best seller watches in the Parmigiani lineup. The shape has spawned a diverse and enticing collection, including the namesake Kalpa Hebdomadaire XL models. Not to be missed is the hand wound PFC 101-1001200-HA1241, with its grille like dial that recalls luxury classic cars and is among the more eyecatching models one can buy. Or if you are looking to buy something more sporty, there is the Kalpa Kalpagraphie range, which includes the stainless steel PFC 128-0001400-B00102 with an automatic and chronograph movement, or the more luxury version PFC 128-1001400-HA1441, with a rose gold case (and which is also an automatic chronograph). Meanwhile the women’s lines are equally top seller pieces, courtesy of the Kalpa Piccola range, which includes the PFC 160-1020700-B10202 in rose gold and trimmed in diamonds from bezel to bracelet; or the Anniversaire PFC 186-0020400-XC2422 with a gold quartz movement, which pairs a lilac mother of pearl dial on a white strap. The Kalpa Piccola models are all quartz, which tends to be more a top seller movement with women.