Horological Meandering

Parmigiani

May 16, 2013,19:34 PM

Todd Tieche is Sales Manager for Parmigiani Fleurier America and was visiting Toronto Tuesday night. The local Authorized dealer called me and a few other of the local enthusiasts and invited us to an impromptu GTG to meet with Todd and discuss Parmigiani and watches in general. I happily made the drive down the Queen Elizabeth Hiway into the big city for a night of watch talk with a few great guys.

Todd and some of the local gang...

One of our local regulars displaying his latest piece, an El Primero Open Chronograph with moonphase and grand date, a real beauty in my opinion...

We chatted for a while, Todd is a great guy with a real passion for watches in general and Parmigiani in particular. He is very knowledgeable and the discussions were very pleasant and informing. He discussed many interesting facts about Parmigiani and their history and where they are now in the industry. Next he brought out a few pieces for us to look over and handle, always an exciting part of the night.

First out was the Transforma Rivages, a watch that "tranforms" between a 43mm wrist watch, a pocket watch and a desk clock. This is an automatic chronograph movement with a date, a limited edition of 100 pieces.

a wrist shot...

Another Transforma that is special for the Brazilian Soccer club. This set comes with two movements to give you even more possibilities. The blue dial has a retrograde date on an annual calendar with moonphase. Also included is a chronograph with date. Both are automatic movements.

Marco Bandiera had reserved a private room at Ciao wine Bar in Toronto. After discussion of the pieces the wait staff brought our dinner, I had the Lasagna which was very good.

Some others had Lasagna, some tried the Risotto others the chicken and of course the Pizza was a real hit...

After Dinner Todd brought out what I like to refer to as the desert. Some truly sweet pieces. My favourite is the Tondagraph, a 30 second Tourbillon with Chrono in white gold, a limited edition of 30 pieces with manual wind...

without a doubt this piece had my full attention...

An eight day Tourbillon with power reserve...

Two Tourbillons...

and from the rear...

atop my wrist.....ahhhhh, so nice

I would like to thank the Bandiera brothers and Todd for a wonderful evening and for sharing these beauties with us. A great time was had by all.

Thanks for reading.

Best,

Rob

This message has been edited by Donut on 2013-05-16 19:51:35

Comments: view entire thread

'Fess up, Donut...

By: pplater : May 17th, 2013-08:09

Did any of those pieces walk out with you that night??? Great to see the brand getting some coverage: thanks for taking us along. Cheers, pplater.

LOL...

By: Donut : May 17th, 2013-11:47

nothing new left with me that night, but I had some serious thoughts about testing my Credit card's limits on that Tondagraphe. A real beauty.

Thanks for the report, Rob

By: AndrewD : May 17th, 2013-16:38

Parmigiani are definitely an under appreciated brand, but the house designs are characteristic, the finish good and the complications, well complicated. Most of the 'switchable' watches that go from wrist to pocket are too large or tha cases too clumsy, b...