Horological Meandering

Manufacture PARMIGIANI FLEURIER Haute Horlogerie Authentique

Bel Air, California October 1, 2008

The exclusive and beautiful Hotel Bel Air was the site of a wonderful event hosted by PARMIGIANI FLEURIER and CLASSIC DESIGNS Fine Jewelers.  Parmigiani N.A. President Michelle Veyna and staff made this into a very memorable evening.

We were all honored by Mr. Michel Parmigiani who made a rare personal appearance here in the United States. 

Michel Parmigiani (center) with Peter Siow (CEO/President of Classic Designs) and Daniel Siow (right)

From Left to Right: CLASSIC DESIGNS staff, MICHEL PARMIGIANI and N.A. President MICHELLE VEYNA.

This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 09:42:14 This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-24 16:52:00

For the sports watch fanatic the stunning PERSHING Chronograph red dial and white rubber strap.  The color combination of the glowing red dial and silver sub dials made the watch pop.  The white strap was extremely comfortable and went well with the dial.  This one was a favorite among the attendees.  A beautiful baby blue dial version is also available.

Silver dial with baby blue accents

The rugged and sporty PERSHING black dial with silver sub dial.  All rated to 200m water resistance.

The lugs blend well with the case.  Proportions of the watch overall is very well balanced. Dial is very legible with a functional unidirectional rotating bezel.  The strap variant has a buckle that is capable of fine adjustments for that perfect fit.

This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 01:45:00

Manufacture PARMIGIANI offers a great selection for Women and Men.

This eye catching jeweled rose gold KALPAGRAPH shined brightly with the finely set diamonds.

This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 01:45:22 This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 01:59:28

A lucky new owner received this beautiful Parmigiani.  Below is a size comparison shot to the PuristSPro ABR.

PARMIGIANI minute repeater

Superb finishing and attention to detail.  AnthonyT/ED209 has a video of the repeater in action.

PARMIGIANI tourbillion

The Bugatti caliber 370.

This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 02:18:03 This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 02:40:13

I just don't like its price . To me this watch and Haldimann H2 are the ultimate tourbillon.

cen@jkt

Pics do not do justice to the amazing Bugatti caliber 370.  We were all speechless as Michel Parmigiani demonstrated the winding system for the 370.

Just incredible!

You need a white room, a good light, and this is just impossible to get it in pic...

Although your 2 pic is nice!

One of the very big impressions when I saw it in the flesh during the last SIHH...

Really an awesome watch!

Best.

Nicolas, who is very motivated when he has to speak about Parmigiani..LOL

Greeting Nicolas, I agree with your enthusiasm of Parmigiani's offerings.  Our great (but humble) photographer AnthonyT has some amazing shots.  Stay tuned for his pics!

What attracted you to this brand?  The innovation, style, quality, or all the above?

The PF make some really refine watches but somehow i find that they are underappreciated here in Malaysia....hmmm we need more education! On watches of course!=P

Thanks for sharing buddy, great to see them!

 

Regards

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CLASSIC DESIGN's Peter Siow introduces Michel Parmigiani and provided guests with details of Mr. Parmigiani's exceptional accomplishments in the world of haute horology.

Born in Couvet (Switzerland) in 1950, Michel Parmigiani grew up in a valley of the Canton of Neuchâtel, the Val-de-Travers.  From his earliest childhood, Michel Parmigiani came in close contact with craftsmen whose skilled hands guided their creativity. Fascinated by this field, he quickly chose to take  watchmaking training, and then devoted himself to the restoration of renowned creations by creating his own company, just over thirty years ago.

Since 2005, after five years of research and development, the Manufacture fully masters production of the highly strategic components that are vital to mechanical movements: the regulating organ composed of the balance and balance-spring, as well as the lever escapement.

A beautiful guest admires the work of Manufacture Parmigini

Mr. Parmigiani explains the revolutionary time setting and winding system of "The Choke".  The Choke instrument developed over three years of research actuates two crowns beneath the case.

This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 02:29:17 This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 02:29:51

Guests of the event included some experienced collectors and haute horology aficionados.

Seasoned collectors Mr. and Mrs. H.

Lovely Vina examine the exquisite work of Parmigiani

More guest

Everyone having a great time.

 

Below are some pictures of the Parmigiani Pershing Chronograph

This red dial of thisPershing sports chronographlooks vibrant and changes colors at differentviewing angles and lighting conditions.

Huh?  How did this picture get in here?   Delicious hors d'oeuvres were served!

Winding upthe Parmigiani Bugatti w/ this pen looking device.

Amazinglooking watch ain't it?

Parmigiani Toric Chronograph Minute repeater w/ diamond set bezel

This must a new model that will be released at SIHH 2009 because I didn't see it at SIHH 2008. Parmigiani HemisphereTourbillon Chronograph.

Here's another new piecewhich will probably make its debut at SIHH 2009 - Parmigiani Pershing Skeleton Tourbillon. This specificpieceis housed in a platinum case andonly5 pieces will be made. Smoking hot piece!

Parmigiani Hemisphere fromSIHH 2008.


This message has been edited by AnthonyTsai on 2008-10-02 10:23:29

 Breathtaking skeleton.  Note the "P" and "F" on the seconds hand.

This message has been edited by DRMW on 2008-10-02 02:37:23

Parmigiani is indeed a great and interesting Manufacture, with some very interesting watches, as the Kalpa Family, the Hemisphere, the Mythic Bugatti, and some nice great complications...

It was a great pleasure to view your pics, my friend!

Best, and, thanks again!

Nicolas

Hello Nicolas, The event was great as the new PERSHING sports line was a hit.  Very well done and excellent dial colors.  The Bugatti was unreal and needs to be seen in person to be fully appreciated.  -MW

Even if my favourite among all these new pieces was the ...Hemishpere!

Best.

Nicolas

Thks for sharing

CLASSIC DESIGN brought along many PARMIGIANI pieces for us to examine.  Here are few pics of the goodies they brought along:

More pics shortly!

I like Parmigiani's work, especially his very ornate older designs like the Toric and Ionica.

- SJX

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Thanks DRMW and AnthonyT for posting such great pics.  The Parmigiani event was a lot of fun, really enjoyed the elegant atmosphere of the Bel Air hotel, the service was top notch, the watches were beautiful and the food was delicious. 


The new Pershing in red was stunning and surprising very comfortable on the wrist.  It was one of my favorites in the collection.  And I agree about the Pershing skeleton tourbillon, it was amazing!:



The womens version of the Bugatti covered in diamonds was a stand out and one of the most interesting pieces shown.  Anthony's macro shots in the previous post really capture the attention to detail:



And here's the PuristsPro ABR next to a blinged out Parmagiani:



The food was absolutely delicious.  Hors d'oeuvres included smoke salmon over potato blinis w/ cream fraiche and caviar, roasted tomatoes and cheese in a filo dough, grilled prawns, and roasted lamb chops:






The menu for the evening.  Guests received a special gift of Parmagiani chocolates:



Our starter was a Kenter Canyon Farms organic greens salad:



For the entree we had a choice of the grilled filet of beef or the roasted Chilean sea bass.  I chose the filet and it was accompanied by a side of fragrant chanterelle mushrooms and truffled mashed potatoes:





Our dessert was a warm chocolate cake with molten chocolate center, and a scoop port wine and vanilla bean ice cream.



Regards,
ED-209

wrist, very elegant yet sporty.

S