parmigiani

I recently mentioned how the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 1921 won the jury prize in Swiss Montres Passion's 2009 Watch of the Year Award. Well this Parmigiani Pershing Asteria watch won the Prix du Public (publicly voted award) for 2009, in the same magazine. I find it so interesting that the editors at the magazine itself would choose such a quirky classic watch, while the public would vote for a thoroughly modern in appearance sport watch - a women's version at that. Of course the Parmigiani Pershing comes in male variants as well.

This is one serious sport women's watch. The 42mm wide case is in white gold with a mother-of-pearl dial - and has all the hallmark features of a diving watch. Inside is a Parmigiani manufacture made 002 Chronograph automatic movement. On the dial there are two charming little features that compliment the easy to read chronograph subdials. At the end of the chronograph seconds hand is (not able to be seen in this image) a small octopus as the counterweight, while the seconds hand/dial for the time itself is a stylized, spinning sea star (starfish).

The luxury watch is also available with various levels of precious jewel decoration. I believe it is a winning watch because the public appreciates its sporty exterior, charming design accents, manufacture made movement, luxurious construction, and modern looks. Quite a departure from what the editors of the Montres Passion magazine took into consideration when giving their award.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Watch collectors know Parmigiani Fleurier as the purveyor of some of the most coveted and intricate timepieces in existence. Exotic automobile enthusiasts know it as the company deemed prestigious enough to craft a timepiece to accompany the legendary Bugatti Veyron.

Now that Bugatti is moving on from the Veyron and towards the new Galibier, Parmigiani has fine-crafted an intricate tourbillon timepiece to accompany the new super-saloon. But before Veyron production ends and along with it the production of the Type 370, Parmigiani Fleurier is paying tribute to the Alsatian automaker's centenary with a two unique examples of its sideways-mounted manual timepiece.

One made of 18-karat rose gold and another of platinum 950, the two final examples of the highly intricate Bugatti Type 370 wristwatch were crafted and handed over to master engraver Philippe Bodenmann, who put 300 manhours into each, hand etching complex designs into the watches' cases. They're fastened to the wrist by a calfskin strap provided by Hermes, and are sure to be as priceless as a Bugatti supercar.

Luxist recently covered the new Bugatti 16C Galibier ultra luxury sedan that the car world is so very excited about. An interesting element of the new auto was a partnership with luxury watch maker Parmigiani to include a watch with the car. I should say that Bugatti and Parmigiani have been working together since 2004, when Parmigiani released its Type 370 Bugatti watch that was avant garde to say the least.

Parmigiani has recently released real images of the Bugatti Tourbillon watch in action. The flex-use mechanical timepiece is made to: mount in Galibier's dashboard, attach to a wrist strap, function as a pocket watch, and also be docked in a desk clock unit. Little else is know about the timepiece, except that it is handsome to behold and just about simple enough to be a car clock. The watch has a tourbillon complication as well as a power reserve indicator. My understanding is that the idea is to include the Parmigiani Bugatti Tourbillon watch with the Galibier 16C car. For the over $1 million that the 16C is likely to go for, this included watch is no major practical surprise. When driving a car like this, you want to be sure that even the clock in your car is worth more than most other vehicles on the road around you.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Parmigiani Fleurier presents this new line of women's Kalparisma watches, including the Kalparisma Ouranos with the diamond constellation motif. The watches each share the same signature Parmigiani case which looks particularly flattering on one's wrist. The "Small Star" models use just that, a small spinning star as a subsidiary seconds display. Other models have a traditional second's hand, and each model has its only unique character. The watch line features a 37.5mm wide tonneau case in 18k gold (either rose or white) with a bracelet or well matched strap. Various levels of brilliant cut diamonds decorate the cases and dials, with handsome guilloche engraving on the watch faces themselves. Inside the watches are PF331.02 automatic mechanical movements.

I find the gold metal bracelets particularly fine looking, being technical and functional, but still attractive. The Kalparisma watch line has always been conservatively 'nice," but never wild looking. This helps maintain Parmigiani is a maker of consistently attractive, though sober looking luxury timepieces. Designs have been known to get more experimental for the men's pieces though, but predictability has been the mainstay for Parmigiani Fleurier. Expect the new Kalparisma line to be available soon.

Ariel Adams publishes the watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

After seeing what celebrities receive in gift bags, I am liking this trend of seeing non-celebrities receiving extravagant gifts. A few days ago, Nicole brought you the story of a monk who received a luxury car. Now check out Dr. Ho Ching Lin and her new $50,000 watch. Although pretty enough to be an actress, the Singaporean doctor is a pediatrician and an eye surgeon who received the Women of Exception award from watchmaker Parmigiani Fleurier for her work in the medical field.

The latest version of the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL line is an anniversary version, the Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Squelette which comes in a limited edition of 30 pieces. The skeletonized watch is done in palladium with front and back sapphire crystals and a Hermes leather strap. The watch uses the Fleurier caliber 118 movement which has double barrels, hand-bevelled and engraved briges, and beats at 21,600 bph.