IN SPACE AND TIME

Parmigiani Fleurier CEOGUIDO TERRENI has swiftlytaken the high-horology brandto new heights by thinking aboutthe world beyond watches.

- Words: LYΝΕΤΤΕ ΚΟΗ

Cream of tartar, crushed sea salt, silver and demineralised water: This sounds like the recipe for a simple, home-made paste to clean one's kitchen counters, but it is actually one of the secrets behind one of the most appealing high-end timepieces to emerge in recent memory.

Formulated by master watchmaker Michel Parmigiani, who is also the founder of Parmigiani Fleurier, the paste is applied to solid gold base dials to create a matte, hand-grained version for the two Toric Petite Seconde watches the brand launched last year. This hand-graining process was perfected by Michel as part of his work in restoring vintage timepieces, including those by the 18th-century master horologist Abraham Louis Breguet.

Combining right-now dusty pastel hues -sage (which the brand calls "celadon grey") and beige ("sand gold") - with a traditional haute horlogerie finish, the Toric Petite Seconde succeeds in achieving that rare combination of fresh modernity and a high level of classical high watchmaking. No high level of classical high watchmaking. No wonder it was nominated as one of the best new men's watches at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève last November.

COMPELLING TENSIONS

Speaking to Prestige Singapore via video conference from Parmigiani's headquarters, Guido Terreni, Parmigiani's CEO since January 2021, told us that Michel continues to be a huge influence even though he is no longer involved in the brand's operations. For example, the idea for the Toric's dial treatment came about after discussions with the brand's founder.