THE MASTER WATCHMAKER WHO CHOSE TO PRESERVE TIME
At a time when mechanical watchmaking was fading, Michel Parmigiani chose to keep its art alive, a legacy that continues to shape every Parmigiani Fleurier timepiece.
Michel Parmigiani’s journey into the world of haute horology is deeply rooted in his early life experiences, shaped by the serene landscapes of Val de Travers, pulsing heart of watchmaking in the 1960’s and refined by his education in Le Locle, in the heart of Swiss watchmaking.
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growing up in val de travers
Born in 1950 to Italian immigrant parents, Michel Parmigiani grew up in the picturesque Val de Travers, where the dense forests and flowing rivers inspired him from an early age. Encouraged by his father to explore nature as a source of artistic discovery, Parmigiani became captivated by the perfection and harmony he saw around him. This fascination deeply shaped his appreciation for detail, art, architecture, and most importantly, the ‘Golden Ratio,’ which became a central theme in his life’s work.
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LE LOCLE, THE SCHOOL OF MASTERY
In 1965, Michel Parmigiani began his advanced watchmaking studies at the renowned Technicum of Le Locle, a historic center of horological excellence. Immersed in an environment where tradition met innovation, he built a foundation that combined technical precision with artistic vision, shaping the watchmaker he would become.
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A BRAVE YOUNG ENTREPRENEUR AGAINST THE CURRENT.
A TRUE INDEPENDENT MIND.
Michel Parmigiani, driven by a passion to revive watchmaking in Val de Travers, founded the ‘Atelier des Spécialités’ and ‘Société Parmigiani Art et Mesure du Temps’ in 1976. With exceptional mastery, he balanced crafting complex timepieces with entrepreneurial acumen. Admist the Quart Crisis, he prioritized restoration over mass productionm honoring tradition and craftmanship, preserving a threatened cultural heritage.
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Inspiration from the Past
Restoring rare and intricate timepieces during the early stages of his career gave Michel a unique perspective: to innovate, one must first understand the past. This belief became the cornerstone of his philosophy and continues to guide Parmigiani Fleurier’s creations.
Michel’s dream was never just to preserve history but to build upon it, creating timepieces that would become future classics. This vision eventually led to the founding of Parmigiani Fleurier, where tradition meets bold design.
HIS MISSION : SAVE & PERPETUATE MECHANICAL ARTS PATRIMONY AT THE TIME OF QUARTZ CRISIS
At a time when many watchmakers shifted toward mass production and electronic timekeeping, Michel Parmigiani committed himself to the restoration of traditional mechanical timepieces for prestigious brands and collectors. His meticulous work on rare, complex masterpieces expanded his expertise in craftsmanship, while sharpening his skills in mechanisms, finishing, and decorative arts.
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A LEGEND IN THE ART OF RESTORATION
In 1978, Michel Parmigiani earned international recognition for restoring the Sandoz Family’s exceptional collection of rare timepieces. Describing it as a “bridge to 500 years of horological history,” this monumental project cemented his reputation and began a lasting partnership with the Sandoz Family Foundation, one that would later give birth to Parmigiani Fleurier.
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BEFORE THE NAME, THERE WAS THE CRAFT
Until the launch of his eponymous brand, Michel Parmigiani wore two hats: the first as the restorer of pieces from the Sandoz collection and the second creating watches for third parties. He developed, for example, complicated pocket watch calibres and table clocks for his prestigious clients, Chaumet, Vacheron Constantin and especially Breguet (then owner of Chaumet). For Breguet, he produced an extra-thin perpetual calendar, followed by an automatic pocket watch calibre in 1990 and restored an antique Sympathetique Breguet clock.
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1996: THE BIRTH OF PARMIGIANI FLEURIER
Fostering the strong ties that united the Sandoz family and Michel Parmigiani, the Parmigiani Fleurier brand was officially launched in 1996 with a collection of 52 references combining straightforward and complicated timepieces. The Toric QP Rétrograde, the first wristwatch from the Parmigiani Fleurier brand, debuted in 1996, establishing the gadroons and detailed knurling on the case as one of the house’s aesthetic signatures.
Pictured: Michel Parmigiani and Pierre Landolt at the Maison inauguration.
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