It was in 1976 that young watchmaker Michel Parmigiani opened his workshop and began restoring vintage clocks and watches. Two decades later, in 1996, the Parmigiani Fleurier brand was founded, with help from the Sandoz Family Foundation, which owns 90 percent of the brand. Michel’s dream was to create top-notch hand-made watches of distinction. Today Parmigiani’s collections include the Kalpa, Tonda, and Toric lines that offer sporty-inspired chronographs, high complications, and more.
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$31,072
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$78,182
$172,624
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$94,665
$66,822
$167,055
$65,708
$171,600
$22,900
$53,900
$31,000
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$45,662
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$147,009
$147,009
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$21,717
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$16,149
$15,035
$27,731
$144,781
$32,186
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$24,390
$37,309
$32,854
$27,731
$27,731
$32,854
$221,627
$89,096
Price upon request
$172,624
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$43,991
Price upon request
$172,624
$198,239
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$15,480
$38,757
$101,347
History of Parmigiani Fleurier
Parmigiani Fleurier has a rich history that dates back to 1976 when Michel Parmigiani, a young watchmaker and restorer, opened “Mesure et Art du Temps,” a workshop dedicated to restoring antique timepieces. His expertise and creative impulse led to the founding of Parmigiani Fleurier in 1996, a brand that stands out in the world of Haute Horlogerie, deriving a significant portion of its vitality and inspiration from its founder’s unparalleled mastery in the craft of watchmaking. The brand’s first wristwatch was born a year later, and it has since achieved several milestones, including the presentation of its first integrated chronograph, the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire, and the launch of the Tonda GT in 2020.
Parmigiani Fleurier is known for its commitment to excellence, with each timepiece being the product of the know-how of more than fifty historical trades, including technical and manufacturing expertise, as well as rare artisanal skills such as enameling and restoration. The brand’s deep-rooted history in watchmaking and its dedication to craftsmanship has solidified its position as a niche high-horology brand that is serious about its art. With a focus on creativity, innovation, and technical and aesthetic savoir-faire, Parmigiani Fleurier continues to create exceptional timepieces that tell a story of tradition and excellence.
Craftmanship
Parmigiani Fleurier is renowned for its extraordinary skill and commitment to craftsmanship. Every watch that carries the Parmigiani name represents the expertise of over fifty traditional professions, integrating both technical and manufacturing skills, along with specialized artisan techniques such as enameling. This blend of design, engineering, craftsmanship, and horology expertise, all united in a relentless pursuit of perfection, results in creating timepieces that embody the highest standards of technical and aesthetic mastery. Each watch tells its own story, starting from the brand’s strategic vision and culminating in exceptional and uniquely designed watches.
The Sandoz Family Foundation
The Sandoz Family Foundation was established in 1964 by Edouard-Marcel Sandoz, the son of the founder of Sandoz SA, now Novartis SA. It supports entrepreneurial commitment, charitable activities, and the descendants of Edouard Constant Sandoz. The foundation is involved in the pharmaceutical industry, the hotel trade, and the watch industry through various organizations and holding companies. It holds about 3.6 percent of Novartis’s capital and has investments in multiple companies and industries, including Parmigiani Fleurier, its own watchmaking brand.
Who Owns Parmigiani?
Parmigiani Fleurier is owned by the Sandoz Family Foundation. Guido Terreni has been the CEO of the company since January 2021. The brand’s unique position in the watchmaking industry is due in part to the support it receives from the Sandoz Family Foundation, which has allowed the company to make significant acquisitions and investments in its manufacturing capabilities.
Fun Fact
Parmigiani Fleurier’s early watches, distinguished by their classical aesthetics, are often overlooked by collectors, making them a hidden gem for connoisseurs and collectors who appreciate high quality and excellent finishing. These early pieces, while not mainstream, possess the same level of craftsmanship and attention to detail that is highly valued in the watchmaking industry.
