====== Parmigiani ======
{{wst>menue|Parmigiani}}

  *See Also [[Parmigiani, Michel]]

**Parmigiani Fleurier** is a Swiss luxury watch [[manufacture]], one of the few remaining [[independent brand]]s.

{{wst>image_l|Parmigiani, Michel 1|Michel Parmigiani as young watchmaker\\ © [[Parmigiani]]}}

{{wst>image_cr|Parmigiani|Kalpagraph PF005164|[[Parmigiani Kalpagraph]] Ref. PF005164}}

{{wst>image_cr|Parmigiani|Fleurier 334|Manufacture movement [[PF 334|Parmigiani Fleurier 334]]}}

===== Start as watchmaker and restaurator =====
The brand Parmigiani bears the name of its founder, [[Parmigiani, Michel|Michel Parmigiani]], who was born in [[1950]] in Couvet and who spent his youth in the Val-de-Travers, a remote valley of the Swiss canton of [[Neuchatel]].

In [[1976]] Michel Parmigiani begins his career with the restoration of complex pieces of art of the [[Haute Horlogerie]]. In [[1978]] he is active in the production of "private label" models of renowned watch manufacturers. Among his design credits are the [[Chopard]] [[LUC 1.96]] and [[LUC 3.96]] movements. In [[1995]] he received the [[Gaia]] Award for his contributions in the field of mechanical watches.

===== A new manufacture emerges =====
The Sandoz Family Foundation offered to back Parmigiani in a new brand, investing in the new company in [[1995]]. Launched in [[1996]], the watch [[manufacture]] **Parmigiani Fleurier** launched its first collection of fine Parmigiani timepieces, including [[wristwatch]]es, [[pocket watch]]es and desk clocks. In the following year [[1997]] Parmigiani took part in the trade show [[SIHH]] for the first time.

The first own manufacture calibre [[PF 110]] is presented in [[1998]]. It is a [[manual winding]] movement that has the remarkable [[power reserve]] of eight days. By [[2000]], Parmigiani was producing 350 watches per year, priced in the haute horology range of the market, over US$6000. But he still used elaborated off-the-shelf movements for most models, including the [[Zenith El Primero 400]] and [[Venus 179]].

The Mastering of the production of each watch component is made ​​possible from about [[2000]] by the inclusion of the following three production units, which specialize in the areas of housing production, micromechanics and precision automat parts Bruno Affolter SA in [[La Chaux-de-Fonds]], Atokalpa SA in Alle and Elwin SA in Moutier. Since January [[2003]] the artisanal and industrial pool of the [[manufacture]], the //Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier//, summarizes all facets of the art of watchmaking, which are important for the successful fabrication of a wristwatch with a great tradition.

In [[2001]] the new in-house [[self-winding]] movement [[PF 331]] is presented. It is used with the watch range //Forma// (now renamed //Kalpa//). The next year the self-winding movement [[PF 333]] appears, that features a [[retrograde]] [[perpetual calendar]].

{{wst>image_cr|Parmigiani|Bugatti Type 370|Bugatti Type 370\\ with calibre [[PF 370|PF 370 Bugatti]]}}

In [[2003]] Parmigiani launched a line of watches [[Parmigiani Bugatti|in cooperation with Bugatti]]. The unusual calibre [[PF 370 Bugatti]] appears, the world's first movement modeled in a transversal arrangement and with a construction, which, in an amazing way, recreates a car gear. The model [[Parmigiani Bugatti Type 370|Bugatti Type 370]], in which it is integrated, represents a true horological rarity. The extremely costly timepiece, crafted in limited numbers, can be read from the side of the wrist.

Also in [[2004]] the calibre [[PF 500]] is launched, the world's first 30-seconds [[tourbillon]] with [[central seconds]] and a [[power reserve]] of seven days - and this is again a completely in-house developed and manufactured movement.

Today, Parmigiani includes the following additional corporate components [[Atokalpa]], [[Elwin]], [[Les Artisans Boîtier]], [[Quadrance Habillage]], and [[Vaucher Manufacture]].

===== New watch ranges in the luxury segment =====
In [[2004]] the number of annually produced watches increases to 3,000, and in [[2006]] it is already 4,000. In the first ten years of the company already five mechanical in-house calibres with [[automatic]] or [[manual winding]] are released of the [[manufacture]], which are now sold in the form of coveted models like the [[Parmigiani Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire|Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire]], the [[Parmigiani Kalpa Automatic|Kalpa Automatic]], the [[Parmigiani Toric Perpetual Calendar]] or the [[Parmigiani Tourbillon 30 Seconds|Tourbillon 30 Seconds]].

Around [[2009]] the manufacture has about two hundred and fifty employees who contribute daily to maintain the tradition of watchmaking expertise and to produce watches of the [[Haute Horlogerie]].

Parmigiani is one of the founding members of the Quality Association [[FQF]], that performs a certification of high-quality [[chronometer]]s exceeding the [[COSC]] tests.

===== Cases made of Palladium 950 =====
{{wst>image_cr|Parmigiani|Pershing 115 Palladium PF600094}}

Already in [[2005]] Parmigiani Fleurier evoked attention with a world first a watch made from [[palladium]] 950. This metal is as precious as [[platinum]] and even more precious than [[gold]]. (With a [[fineness]] of 950 palladium has a higher purity than gold with a [[fineness]] of 750 = 18 carat). For watchmakers it had been a mystery for a long time, because one did not know how pure palladium could be processed. Parmigiani Fleurier is pleased with the appearance of this metal and, thanks to the expertise of the house Johnson Matthey, has found the perfect alloy. Thus, the first collection in palladium was launched, a metal that is characterized not only by its hardness and its ideal plasticity, but also by the incomparable splendor.

===== The best-known model ranges =====
While at Parmigiani the name //Toric// stands for round models, the word //Kalpa//, originating from India, references to the models with the distinctive and yet supple horns there is both a [[tonneau]] shaped and a round version. About the meaning of the word According to Indian teaching //Kalpa// means a day of Brahma, which covers a period of 4,320 million years.

The ladies' ranges bear the Indo-Italian name //Kalpa Piccola, Kalpa Donna// and //Kalpa Grande//. In [[2008]] the series [[Parmigiani Kalpa Hémisphères|Kalpa Hémisphères]] was added, with their versions of the innovative "travel watch", and also the range [[Parmigiani Pershing Steel|Pershing]] with distinctively sporty diver [[chronograph]]s. All these watches are distinguished by their distinctive, elegant style as well as the consistent [[manufacture]] philosophy.

In [[2011]], Parmigiani introduced the [[Parmigiani Toric Capitole|Toric Capitole]] with what they refer to as a "sector time display", a three-arm [[wandering hour]]s system.

===== Current Models =====
  * [[Parmigiani Kalpa]] - [[Tonneau]] case
    * [[Parmigiani Kalpa Chronor]] - Kalpa complicated [[chronograph]]
    * [[Parmigiani Kalpa Donna]] - Kalpa [[quartz]] for women
    * [[Parmigiani Kalpa Hebdomadaire]] - Kalpa with [[power reserve]]
    * [[Parmigiani Kalpa Piccola]] - Smaller Kalpa [[quartz]] for women
    * [[Parmigiani Kalpa Qualite Fleurier]] - Kalpa [[automatic]] [[chronometer]] with date
    * [[Parmigiani Kalpa Tourbillon]] - Kalpa [[tourbillon]]
    * [[Parmigiani Kalpagraphe]] - Kalpa [[automatic]] [[chronograph]] with date
      * [[Parmigiani Kalpagraphe Chronometre]] - Kalpa [[automatic]] [[chronograph]] [[chronometer]] with date
    * [[Parmigiani Kalparisma]] - Kalpa [[automatic]] for women
  * [[Parmigiani Tonda]] - Round case
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda 1950]] - Classic [[automatic]] Tonda for men and women
      * [[Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Lune]] - Tonda [[automatic]] with [[moon phase]] and date
      * [[Parmigiani Tonda 1950 Tourbillon]] - Tonda [[automatic]] [[tourbillon]]
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda 39 QF]] - Tonda [[automatic]] [[chronometer]] with date
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda Calendrier Annuel]] - Tonda [[automatic]] [[retrograde]] [[annual calendar]]
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda Centum]] - Tonda [[automatic]] [[retrograde]] [[perpetual calendar]]
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda Chronor]] - Tonda [[flyback]] [[chronograph]] with [[big date]]
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda Hémispherès]] - Tonda [[automatic]] [[dual time]] with date
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda Metrographe]] - Tonda [[automatic]] [[chronograph]] with date
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda Metropolitaine]] - Tonda [[automatic]] with date for women
      * [[Parmigiani Tonda Metropolitaine Selene]] - Tonda [[automatic]] with date and [[moon phase]] for women
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda Resonnance]] - Tonda [[minute repeater]]
    * [[Parmigiani Tonda Tourbillon]] - Tonda [[tourbillon]]
    * [[Parmigiani Tondagraphe]] - Tonda [[tourbillon]] [[chronograph]]
  * [[Parmigiani Toric]] - Round case with alternating gadroons and knurling
    * [[Parmigiani Toric Capitole]] - Toric [[wandering hours]] [[minute repeater]]
    * [[Parmigiani Toric Chronometre]] - Toric [[chronometer]] with date
    * [[Parmigiani Toric Hemispheres Retrograde]] - Toric with [[retrograde]] calendar and second time zone
    * [[Parmigiani Toric Quaestor]] - Toric [[minute repeater]]
    * [[Parmigiani Toric Qualite Fleurier]] - Toric [[chronometer]] with date
    * [[Parmigiani Toric Quantieme Perpetuel Retrograde]] - Toric [[retrograde]] [[perpetual calendar]]
    * [[Parmigiani Toric Tecnica]] - Toric [[tourbillon]] [[perpetual calendar]] and [[minute repeater]]
  * [[Parmigiani Ovale]] - Oval case
    * [[Parmigiani Ovale Pantographe]] - Ovale with pantograph hands
    * [[Parmigiani Ovale Tourbillon]] - Ovale [[tourbillon]]

===== Address =====
Parmigiani Fleurier SA\\ Rue du Temple 11\\ CH--2114 Fleurier\\ Tel. +41 (0)32 862 66 30\\ Fax +41 (0)32 862 66 31

===== Weblinks =====
  *[[http://www.parmigiani.com/|Parmigiani Fleurier SA]]
  *[[http://www.atokalpa.ch/|atokalpa]]


{{tag>Watch_brands Watch_brands_Switzerland Manufactures Fleurier FHH}}