Michel Parmigiani’s birthday was earlier this week (December 2nd), and his watch brand has created a tradition. On the 2nd, they release a new watch design to celebrate another trip around the sun for their leader. This year, it’s the Parmigiani Fleurier L’armoriale Repetition Mysterieuse being unwrapped.
Parmigiani Fleurier L’armoriale Repetition Mysterieuse: what it is
At first glance, the Parmigiani Fleurier L’armoriale Repetition Mysterieuse seems like it’s more of an art or jewelry piece, does it not? Sure, you’ve got a standard watch case (made of white gold, and measuring in at 42mm), paired to an alligator strap. Even the front of the watch, it sort of looks like a dial. You’ve got a guilloché pattern done on the metal, which is then covered by a pastel green translucent enamel grand feu finish. Yet, where are the hands? How do you tell the time? That’s where the “mysterieuse” comes in.
How time keeping works
Rest assured, the Parmigiani Fleurier L’armoriale Repetition Mysterieuse is indeed a working watch. You’ve actually got two ways to get the time. The first is via the catherdral gongs set into the case. That’s right – we have a minute repeater built into the case. With a press of a button, you’ll get a series of chimes to tell you the hour, quarter hour, and minutes past that quarter hour, so you can tell the time just by sound. Interestingly enough, they also built a watch box that had a resonator built into it to further enhance the sound.
You can also tell the time visually, if you like. To do that, however, you need to take the watch off. Rather than getting a view of the manually-wound movement (created by Renaud Papi) and it’s 72-hour power reserve on the caseback, this is where you’ll see the hour and minute hands proceeding around, visible in the translucent ring around the case back.
Wrapping things up
What we enjoy about the Parmigiani Fleurier L’armoriale Repetition Mysterieuse is that, despite the technical complexity, the watch appears quite simple, perhaps not even a watch. This brings the focus on the artistry, keeping the engineering genius a bit of hidden knowledge for the wearer, as well as those in the know.
As this is the first of five rather unique versions they intend to produce, this is not a watch you’re just going to find at your local boutique. No, we imagine you’ll need to have quite a good relationship with PF to be able to have a chance at one, along with some deep pockets. Still, once can dream of this pinecone-inspired artwork, we say. Check out all the details over at parmigiani.com
Parmigiani Fleurier L’armoriale Repetition Mysterieuse Tech Specs
- Caliber
- PF355
- Power reserve: 72 hours
- Frequency: 3 Hz – 21.600 A/h
- No. of components: 392
- Jewels: 35
- Thickness: 6.55
- Case
- Diameter: Ø 41.60 mm
- Thickness: 12.65
- Glass: ARunic anti-reflective sapphire
- Case back: Engraved and enamelled
- Dial
- Finishing:
- Indices: 18ct rose gold appliques
- Color: White
- Hands
- Hours and minutes: Delta-shaped
- Bracelet
- Alligator
- Movement specifications
- Calibre: PF355
- Winding: Manual
- Total dimensions: 13”’ – Ø 30.00 mm
- Thickness: 6.55
- Frequency: 3 Hz – 21.600 A/h
- Power Reserve: 72 hours
- NB of components: 392
- NB of jewels: 35
