Unveiling the Timeless Elegance of Parmigiani Fleurier's La Ravenale
A Master's Tribute to the Past
The story of Parmigiani Fleurier is a captivating journey, one that began with a deep respect for antique timepieces. Michel Parmigiani, a master restorer, was inspired by the Sandoz Family Foundation to embark on his own brand, a venture that would become a testament to traditional watchmaking artistry.
A Mountainous Beginning
In the tranquil town of Le Fleurier, Parmigiani Fleurier opened its doors in 1996, offering the world a glimpse into Michel Parmigiani's extraordinary vision. Under the leadership of CEO Guido Terreni, the brand continues to honor its founder, most recently with a special watch commemorating his 75th birthday on December 2nd.
A Birthday Celebration in Style
Following the remarkable Rose Carrée, created for the brand's 25th anniversary and Michel Parmigiani's 70th birthday, La Ravenale was born. This stunning Lépine pocket watch is a true masterpiece, featuring a restored minute repeater calibre from the 1920s, adorned with intricate hand-engraved motifs and exquisite stone marquetry.
The Golden Ratio: A Guiding Principle
Michel Parmigiani's admiration for ancient Greek architecture, sculpture, and mathematics is evident in his creations. Guided by the Golden Ratio, a mathematical constant found in nature, art, and geometry, his designs are a perfect blend of aesthetics and precision. The Traveller's Palm of Madagascar, with its symmetrical fan-shaped leaves, serves as a prime example of this ratio in nature, inspiring the name and design of La Ravenale.
Hand-Engraved Mastery
The pocket watch is meticulously hand-engraved with palm-shaped motifs, adorning the movement bridges, dial, and 18k white gold case. This intricate work was entrusted to Atelier Blandenier, a rare workshop specializing in hand-engraved finishes for haute horlogerie.
A Tribute to Restoration
La Ravenale is a celebration of Michel Parmigiani's long career in restoration. The ultra-thin minute repeater movement, signed Ed. Koehn, Genève, was brought back to life at Parmigiani Fleurier's in-house restoration atelier. Selected from Parmigiani's private collection of antique movements, the restoration process required months of dedicated work.
The Magic of the Minute Repeater
Discreetly integrated into the case, the slide activates the chiming mechanism, producing two distinct tones for hours and minutes, with a blend for the quarters. The Lépine construction enhances resonance, allowing vibrations to resonate with exceptional clarity.
A Case of Elegance
The 51.8mm white gold case is a work of art in itself. The hinged caseback is engraved with overlapping, symmetrical patterns inspired by the Madagascar palm, embellished with iridescent opal and light green jade marquetry. The crown at noon and the bridge extremities are set with blue sapphires, adding a touch of color to the sophisticated Art Deco design.
A Dial of Simplicity
The dial, devoid of any signs of the minute repeater mechanism, displays hours, minutes, and small seconds. Crafted in white gold, it draws inspiration from the Tonda PF collection, featuring palm motifs, a serene blue PVD color, and hand-applied gold indices. The gold oval PF cartouche at noon adds a signature touch.
A Chain of Craftsmanship
The 18k white gold chain, with its hexagonal and oval links, is a masterpiece created by Laurent Jollier, Switzerland's last chain-maker. Forged entirely by hand, this 32cm chain required 100 hours of meticulous work. La Ravenale is a unique piece, and its price is available upon request.
Explore more at parmigiani.com and discover the beauty of Parmigiani Fleurier's craftsmanship.
