Parmigiani Celebrates Hidden Treasures

The movement in this piece unique is made entirely from yellow gold. 

True riches do not need to be revealed; they are precious because they are discreet. To mark its twentieth anniversary, the Parmigiani Fleurier manufacture is presenting a unique piece – the Kalpa Hebdomadaire Anniversaire – which hides a solid gold movement within its steel case middle.

This treasure inside reflects the craftsman’s vocation – a work philosophy dear to Michel Parmigiani. The craftsman’s work is discreet, carried out in the shadows, but he is committed in his attention to every detail, even those hidden parts that the owner of the piece will never see. In his work, he strives to enhance the piece and achieve the heights of excellence, whether or not the result is visible, as he knows that its true value is intrinsic and not merely superficial. The Kalpa Hebdomadaire Anniversaire celebrates the craftsman’s humble devotion and the special beauty of hidden treasures.

This Kalpa Hebdomadaire was made to celebrate Parmigiani's 20-year anniversary.

“A gold movement inside a steel case is like a precious item, jealously guarded in a safe. The impenetrable inner riches of a person are a well-hidden treasure. A rare beauty only found by those who know where to look,” says Michel Parmigiani.
An Iconic Model
The Kalpa Hebdomadaire model is an iconic model on several counts. Parmigiani Fleurier’s first wristwatch, its “tonneau” shape was designed in 1997 by Michel Parmigiani who began by imagining the profile of its case middle, before conceiving its surface. This founding design gave rise to the brand’s stylistic codes which now form its visual identity.

Created in the image of the case which envelops it, the movement of the hand-wound Kalpa Hebdomadaire remains one of Parmigiani Fleurier’s flagship calibers thanks to its exemplary design. This double-barrel movement ensures an eight-day power reserve and features a patented display system. It incorporates prestigious technical components that optimize its timekeeping.

Golden Movement
Made entirely from yellow gold, the creation of this exceptional movement posed an equally exceptional challenge. The fact that gold is the most malleable and ductile of materials had a huge impact on the tools used to shape it. Working with gold involved recalibrating the machines and checking each cutting parameter.

The decoration crowning this piece was the fruit of countless hours’ work by the craftsmen. Each bridge was engraved with a dragon wing pattern, forming a stunning network of meticulous strokes. The contrast is completed by the understated tan-colored dial, which perfectly conceals the spectacle hidden beneath. There is almost no clue – apart from the solid gold indices on the dial – a subtle invitation to open the case and admire the treasure within.