Golden Ratio
This project is inspired by a trip that Guido Terreni made in Northern Italy, where he discovered Michel Parmigiani’s ancestry and marvelled at the region’s architectural treasures. The Palazzo Te in Mantua, which is well situated at the intersection of Milan, Genoa, and Venice, was one of the locations visited.
This Renaissance-style royal mansion, with its exquisite period handicrafts, made a lasting impact. Particularly the Hall of Giants at the Palazzo Te, which included aspects of the Renaissance, architecture, nature, and the Golden Ratio, reverberated with Michel Parmigiani’s enthusiasm. It therefore seemed natural to give these impacts life and transcend their initial two-dimensional manifestations. Every element of the remarkable pocket watch casing was thoughtfully reimagined in a three-dimensional reinterpretation during the development process.
The watch itself is an authentic piece of art, painstakingly made with love and care. Ever grateful for fine workmanship, Michel Parmigiani surrounded himself with craftsmen known in the trade as “Mains d’Or,” or “Golden Hands.” These talented “Maitre” artisans dedicated their knowledge to the creation of L’Armoriale. Each worker was an expert in a particular trade; examples include the chain’s painstaking craftsmanship, the case’s elaborate engraving, and the backcase’s exquisite enamel work.
This pocket watch’s internal mechanism is an 1890s mechanical movement marked A. Golay Leresche & Fils in Geneva that has a minute repeater on a chronograph. It truly is a piece of history, capturing the spirit of the Renaissance era in its architectural design. This movement was saved from oblivion by Michel Parmigiani himself, at a time when quartz movements were beginning to replace mechanical movements as the preferred means of movement.
The movement was repaired, and a perpetual calendar created in the Ateliers PMAT (Parmigiani Fleurier Mesure et Art du Temps) by Michel Parmigiani was added in 1985. The movement now has a minute repeater, a chronograph, and a perpetual calendar with hand-hammered white gold moons and a moon phase set against an aventurine sky. The L’Armoriale movement is a true bridge between generations, embodying the very essence of luxury watchmaking—an exquisite marriage of history and modernity.
The 2.5 Hz frequency of the L’Armoriale movement, or 18,000 vibrations per hour, gives watch enthusiasts a calm and sophisticated experience. It also has a central seconds chronograph and a minute repeater that allows the hours, quarters, and minutes to be struck on demand.
Because of its provenance and qualities, this extraordinary quality effortlessly combines all of the essential features and intricate details that are part of the watchmaking process. It is a remarkable example of an elegant and intricate clock. The extraordinary skill of Parmigiani Fleurier is evident in every part of this movement, from the gears to the finely carved and polished bridges.
The L’Armoriale movement, in its core, is more than just a mechanical watch; it is a piece of history, a painstakingly repaired and improved masterwork that perfectly captures the spirit and brilliance of Parmigiani Fleurier. Each element, each intricacy, and each detail tell a compelling tale.
The luxurious dial combines artistry, technical mastery, and a rich brown colour with exquisite engravings in the “mezzo vibrato” concept. The almond designs found on the case and lugs are tastefully reflected in the etched ring that surrounds the dial. The delicately embellished and painstakingly carved white gold counters add a subtle touch to the entire composition.
The exquisite skill of Master Enameller Vanessa Lecci is largely responsible for the appeal of Parmigiani Fleurier’s masterwork, L’Armoriale, a watchmaking marvel. Every detail of this watch becomes a timeless piece of art thanks to her significant knowledge in enamelling and her exquisite craftsmanship.
L’Armoriale’s 18-carat white gold case back is a magnificent example of grand feu enamel craftsmanship. The delicately etched designs are inspired by the flooring of Mantua’s Palazzo Te, and coloured transparent enamel is used to fill each hollow. The case has enticing visual depth thanks to the interaction of light between the engraved structure and the transparency and depth of the enamel, which produces subtle subtleties and a unique texture.
The enamel colours that cover L’Armoriale’s back are carefully selected from a well considered colour scheme that includes tones of yellow, red, and transparent brown. These hues, which were drawn from the Gonzaga family’s coat of arms—the proprietors of Palazzo Te—add another level of visual complexity to the watch. Because every shade is precisely matched, the result is a pleasing and eye-catching look.
Grand feu enamelling is a complex craft that requires extraordinary temperature and technical knowledge. The backdrop has been elevated from traditional workmanship to a truly contemporary masterpiece by the Enameller Master’s application of talent.
To put it briefly, Parmigiani Fleurier Armoriale’s Master Enameller work is a truly amazing creative accomplishment. The ability to paint grand feu enamels has resulted in a background that is exceptionally beautiful, talented, and committed to maintaining this age-old craft. The Armoriale is a piece of horological art that perfectly combines modern creative expression with the heritage of watchmaking.
The L’Armoriale pocket watch’s chain is particularly noteworthy as an exceptional design by expert chainmaker Laurent Jolliet. Laurent Jolliet is particularly noteworthy for being among the last practitioners of his profession, combining extraordinary invention with uncommon genuineness.
Laurent Jolliet made sure the chain was in complete accord with L’Armoriale’s overall design by working closely with the Parmigiani Fleurier team. The motif on the chain creates an exquisite visual coherence by reflecting the hand-engraved motifs on the lock and watch case. The watch chain is meticulously and precisely fashioned by hand. Parmigiani Fleurier’s unique appearance and style have been maintained while ensuring optimum flexibility and longevity with each individual link in the chain’s meticulous construction.
The extremely fine and delicate chain that elegantly follows gravity’s path is a testament to the craftsman’s skill and adds a great deal of beauty to the pocket watch.
His creations provide witness to Parmigiani Fleurier’s steadfast dedication to genuine art and the conservation of uncommon skills. Being among the few chain manufacturers left in the industry, he adds a special and priceless touch to the L’Armoriale watch.
A remarkable, intricate, and beautiful piece of watchmaking is at the centre of L’Armoriale, a creation made to honour Michel Parmigiani’s birthday. Its exquisite beauty is largely due to the engravings created by globally recognised artists and master engravers Eddy Jaquet and Christophe Blandenier, who are recognised for their exceptional skill and ability.
The L’Armoriale’s 18-carat white gold case showcases the Maison’s signature motifs, which are also featured in other one-of-a-kind pieces that are yearly made in honour of Michel Parmigiani’s birthday. The work that Christophe Blandernier has done on this case is truly a work of beauty. The design that stretches over the handles produces an intriguing texture and depth of visual impact. This motif’s minute attention to detail and hand engraving of every feature demonstrate Christophe Blandernier’s unquestionable mastery of the engraving trade.
The caseband itself is a work of art in engraving, with polished fluting adding a further touch of refinement and palmettes carved into the body of the priceless gold. The case band’s flawless perfection is evident at every angle, which is a tribute to Christophe Blandenier’s painstaking attention to detail in every aspect of his work.
Even the L’Armoriale dial, with its stylized “Florentine” design enhancing the overall delicacy of the watch, bears the master’s touch. Every component of this ornamentation, which is executed with superb perfection, adds to the dial’s ageless charm. The minute repeater’s activation latch is another example of the unwavering attention to detail. Exhibiting the same level of attention to detail as the case centre, it features flawless detailing and exquisite engravings. A polished engraving process is also used on the watch’s crown and pendant, which adds an overall touch of elegance.
Drawing inspiration from a pocket watch with Jaquemarts and an automaton scenario called “Moses Striking the Rock,” the L’Armoriale case’s engraving presents an ornate theme that gives the item a stunning artistic dimension by adding richness and depth.