by Sabine Zwettler

Ten years ago, the prestigious manufacture founded by watchmaker Michel Parmigiani introduced its first mechanical line expressly for women: Kalparisma.

Similar to its male-oriented counterpart, the Kalpa collection, it is housed in a unique tonneau-shaped case but possesses a decidedly more feminine aura.

Parmigiani Fleurier’s classic tonneau case design (the name of this shape comes from the French word for “barrel”) is in line with the golden ratio to achieve a perfectly balanced look and feel. Meticulous attention is also given to the lugs with their prolonged angles, whose well-proportioned curves provide great comfort on the wrist.

To celebrate the tenth anniversary of the line, the Swiss manufacture launches two limited editions that marry sophisticated haute horlogerie with refined haute joaillerie in the shape of starry-eyed diamonds and the mysterious shine of aventurine dials.

Parmigiani Fleurier Kalparisma Nova Galaxy with aventurine dial

Aventurine: enhancing the mysterious beauty

First, we have these incredibly beautiful dials made of aventurine, an element inspired by a mineral quartz with tiny sparkling inclusions of gold, copper, or chromic oxide. The aventurine glass used today was developed in Venice in the eighteenth century.

Parmigiani has a penchant for this precious material, having already used it in other special editions; fittingly, these models are christened “Galaxy.” With two new celebratory Galaxy models featuring aventurine dials, the firm once again did a stellar job.

The result is a dial characterized by an intense midnight-blue hue interspersed with golden copper inclusions mirroring the beauty of a starry night sky. The delta-shaped hands the brand chose are skeletonized to better reveal the celestial display; they go very well with the bold indices and elegant curve of the numerals.

Parmigiani Fleurier Kalparisma Nova Galaxy with aventurine dial

However, the highlight on this piece of kinetic art is definitely the indication of the small seconds at 6 o’clock in form of a star. It is so attractive it is hardly recognizable as an indication of seconds at all!

In fact, we are almost inclined to overlook it as being a part of the gorgeous decoration, but this “Nova” – whose name comes from a star that explodes in an enormous burst of light – inspired by a historical piece from the Maurice-Yves Sandoz collection has a real function: on the reverse side of the historical pocket watch restored at the Parmigiani Fleurier workshops, a number of stars begin to turn whenever the minute repeater is activated.

With his prowess in restoring the most complex clocks and watches and his deep love for the old masters’ works, Michel Parmigiani was instantly captivated by this marvelous animation. Even before he had created the Kalparisma, Michel Parmigiani said that he knew that he would one day include it in a watch for women.

A close look at the diamond-set case and lugs of the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalparisma Nova Galaxy

Caliber PF331: a true Parmigiani movement

When we look at the back of this watch, we discover beauty as well: Caliber PF331 was the manufacture’s first automatic movement expressly made for a watch aimed at women.

With its modular design, it allows for different versions that are all very slim since the movement, comprising 220 components and offering a comfortable power reserve of 55 hours, is only 3.5 mm high. It is equipped with a serially operating double spring barrel, which helps to stabilize the distribution of energy and ensure steady transmission to the regulator.

View through the display back of the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalparisma Nova Galaxy

Caliber PF331’s horological refinement is reflected by the finest traditional finishing: the bridges are sandblasted and decorated with Geneva waves before being beveled by hand and, finally, rhodium plated. The 22-karat gold oscillating weight is adorned with a barleygrain motif, my personal favorite of all guilloche patterns since it is especially hard to achieve.

This refinement also carries over into the sophisticated diamond setting technique of the white gold version. Limited to only eight pieces, its case is set with 182 diamonds evoking the image of a clear, cold, yet sunny day – the kind that transforms snow into a myriad of glistening crystals. It requires an expert’s eye and hands to choose the perfectly sized diamonds and to painstakingly arrange them next to each other with very little gold showing in between.

Parmigiani Fleurier Kalparisma Nova Galaxy with aventurine dial

In addition to the white gold version, Parmigiani also offers one crafted in pink gold, which is limited to 50 pieces. The sides of its case are set with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds.

For more information, please visit www.parmigiani-fleurier.com/en/watch/kalpa/kalparisma.

Quick Facts Parmigiani Fleurier Kalparisma Nova Galaxy
Case: 37.5 x 31.2 x 8.4 mm, white gold with 182 brilliant-cut diamonds (2.28 ct) or pink gold with 46 brilliant-cut diamonds (0.84 ct)
Movement: automatic manufacture Caliber PF332, 4Hz/28,000 vph frequency, power reserve 55 hours
Functions: hours, minutes, subsidiary seconds
Limitation: 8 pieces (white gold), 50 pieces (pink gold)
Price: $34,900 (white gold), $24,900 (pink gold)