I REMEMBER FEELING A BIT LIKE A PARIAH , STARTING THIS ADVENTURE AGAINST ALL ADVICE ”
While he opted to formally study watchmaking ( at the Val-de- Travers watchmaking school in the La Chaux-de-Fonds Technicum ) Parmigiani started his career restoring historical clocks , pocket watches and related objects . Among the clients who came to Michel for restoration and maintenance was Switzerland ’ s Sandoz Family Foundation , which owned a significant collection of historical automata and clocks .
Parmigiani eventually established his own restoration workshop , attracting a list of haute horlogerie clients that also included the Patek Philippe museum .
“ I remember feeling a bit like a pariah , starting this adventure against all advice ,” Parmigiani says in a press release . “ Restoring antique timepieces saved me from nihilism . Working , as I was during this period , on so many wonders from times gone by , made the idea that traditional watchmaking might disappear absolutely unthinkable to me . Restoration gave me the confidence I needed to pursue my watchmaking dreams , despite the naysayers .”
The Sandoz foundation encouraged Parmigiani to create his own watch brand – with their full support . This was the beginning of Parmigiani Fleurier , which launched in 1996 .
Today , Parmigiani Fleurier encompasses five specialized Swiss firms . Each of the factories also produces parts for other haute horlogerie clients , including La Montre Hermès , the watchmaking division of the celebrated French leather goods house , which is a co-owner of the Vaucher movement manufacturer .
Parmigiani Fleurier will make seventy examples of the new Toric Heritage watch . Price : $ 17,700 .
82 | INTERNATIONAL WATCH | FALL 2021