Complications

Parmigiani Pershing 115 Chronograph Palladium - Haute Horology meets Italian Style

Michel Parmigiani isn't wasting any time in creating a collection of timepieces to rival any of the top-tier multi-generational Swiss houses.  From very humble beginnings in a small town in Switzerland's Val de Travers - Fleurier, the Parmigiani brand has quickly become both a serious producer of fine timepieces (+/-5,000 pieces in 2007) and is now a well respected player in collector circles. 

Parmigiani has created an alliance with Tilli Antonelli, the founder and president of Pershing SPA, a well respected Italian boat builder- the result of which is the new Pershing collection of Parmigiani watches.

Not wanting for style and perhaps the most robust of Parmigiani's current offerings, the Parmigiani Pershing 115 Chronograph Palladium is an incredibly impressive watch. 

At 45mm in diameter and just over 14mm thick, the Pershing 115 definitely establishes a presence on your wrist.  The depth and texture of the dial is enhanced with Cotes de Geneve, raised bezels around the subdials and applied markers.

The palladium case has a distinctive but subtle luster that sets it apart from stainless steel or white gold.  There's a palladium crown and black rubber pushers to offer some contrast.  The external bezel is of the uni-directional rotating sort and engraved to track bottom time during diving operations (the Pershing 115 is waterproof to 200M).  The interior bezel is set with a tachymetre rail for calculating speed.

Inside the Pershing Chronograph is the Parmigiani Fleurier PF Calibre 190 automatic movement.  It has a fifty hour power reserve and drives hours, minutes, central chronograph seconds, 12-hour counter, 30-minute counter and large date indicators.  As with all Parmigiani watches - the watchmaking talent exhibited in the fit and finish of the movement is second to none.   

The 115 nomenclature denotes the largest Pershing vessel and the watches namesake - a 115' yacht that adorns the caseback of the Pershing 115 in dramatic relief.  The lines of this vessel are breathtaking and the inspiration for design unquestionably Italian.

The 115 Chrono is supplied with a natural rubber strap with deployant buckle.  A palladium bracelet is also available. 

The Parmigiani Pershing 115 Chronograph is a limited edition watch.  115 pieces will be produced in both rose gold and palladium.  Retail is from $47,000 - $68,000 USD. 

Parmigiani Kalpagraph Palladium - Kalpa gets Chrono

Michael Parmigiani, the incredibly talented watchmaker from Fleurier, Switzerland, has brought his namesake brand a long way in the eleven years that have passed since its inception.  Currently the manufacture produces somewhere in the neighborhood of 5000 watches a year - all are a testament to the eye for aesthetic design and commitment to quality that Parmigiani has become synonymous with. 

The Parmigiani Kalpagraph Palladium showcases the brands desire to appeal to a younger clientele.  The merger of chronograph functionality with the uniquely Parmigiani Kalpa case design makes the Kalpagraph ideally suited for a busy and diverse lifestyle. 

The Kalpagraph Palladium has a palladium case.  A close relative to platinum, palladium is lighter and brighter.  The sheen of the case contrasts perfectly with the slate dial with it's gold hands and markers and silver subdials.  There's a wide date window beneath the 12 o'clock position and a seconds subdial at 3 o'clock.  The chronograph totalers are at 6 and 9 o'clock and highlighted by silver gold-bezeled subdials.  The caseback features a round exhibition window that displays the Parmigiani Caliber 334.01 movement - a 68 jewel masterpiece. 

The Parmigiani Kalpagraph Palladium is a great watch with outstanding design elements and tons of character.  MSRP is $23,500 US.