PARMIGIANI FLEURIER’S LA ROSE CARRÉE: A CONFLUENCE OF THE PAST AND PRESENT
In 2021, to celebrate the 25th anniversary of its creation, Parmigiani Fleurier launched one of the most ambitious and demanding projects in its history: an exceptional pocket watch called La Rose Carrée. Based on a Louis-Elysée Piguet calibre with grand sonnerie, entirely restored in the Parmigiani Fleurier workshops, this unique pocket watch continues the legacy of watchmaking art that is precious to the history of the House. La Rose Carrée is a testament to the genius of the watchmakers of yesteryear and to the talented artisans of today. A confluence of the past and present, it is literally a unique work of watchmaking, art, and craft.
December 2, 2022, on the occasion of the birthday of its founder Michel Parmigiani, the brand revealed the first creation in this collection: La Rosa Celeste, an extraordinary creation that pays tribute to the age-old artisanal tradition of Grand Feu enamel and to the favorite color of the brand’s founder.
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The Rosa Celeste is an example of excellent craftsmanship and fine watchmaking.
Infinite detail, energy and passion were devoted to the creation of the flagship piece — so much so that La Rose Carrée has evolved into Les Roses Carrées, a collection at the top of the Parmigiani Fleurier range. The variations on this theme are thus situated in the highest spheres of artistic craftsmanship and watchmaking complication, against a backdrop of absolute exclusivity.
Infinite detail, energy and passion were devoted to the creation of the flagship piece — so much so that La Rose Carrée has evolved into Les Roses Carrées, a collection at the top of the Parmigiani Fleurier range. The variations on this theme are thus situated in the highest spheres of artistic craftsmanship and watchmaking complication, against a backdrop of absolute exclusivity.
LINEAGE OF ROSES
La Rosa Celeste carries all the hallmarks of La Rose Carrée pocket watch with a higher level of
wearability and simplicity. This model features a modern 42 mm white-gold case that, along with
the bezel, lugs and caseband, has been hand-engraved with the “La Rose Carrée” motif. Further
echoing the original timepiece, the new model showcases a chiseled dial as well as a hunter’s
caseback, both of which are covered with grand feu enamel in blue. The watch case is mounted
on a blue, hand-sewn alligator leather strap.
This model also heralds a series entirely dedicated to the celebration of handmade watchmaking craftsmanship according to Parmigiani Fleurier. “Les Roses Carrées” will be the name and the
thread that ties these pieces together.
SOFTNESS OF THE SURFACES
A hinge located at 2 o’clock on the reverse side of this unique piece articulates its hunter’s
back. Its outer face bears a large square fractal rose, also hand-engraved and covered with
multiple layers of colored enamel. On its other side, this unique piece features a dial of solid
white gold, with a surface engraved by hand. Countless small carvings are made with
immaculate regularity throughout the breadth and depth of the dial. Once the surface has been prepared, the enameler takes over and applies the same shade as on the hunter’s
caseback, striving for an identical level of nuance and a play of light made possible by the
depth of the work done by the artisanal engraver.
GIVING VOICE
To the movement’s extreme aesthetic refinement, Parmigiani Fleurier has added horological
substance on a comparable level. The noblest, most historic complication, which is directly in
line with Michel Parmigiani’s watchmaking practice as a restorer, was chosen to enliven Rosa
Celeste: The minute repeater.
This rare timekeeping rose features cathedral gongs. Their exceptional length, spanning one
and a half trips around the movement, brings a deeper, richer sound, a more sustained vibration
and a more palpable intensity. In order to allow this potential to be fully expressed, the case has
been carefully designed to optimize the sound of the movement.
SINGING LESSONS
The movement is suspended in the case and the heel of the gongs is physically connected to the
case by a double screwing. The caseback and case middle have been redesigned to create
resonance pockets and to lighten the white gold mass. These two aspects contribute to increasing
the acoustic quality of the ringing and its range. A final quality criterion is that the ringing sequence
automatically skips dead time. Thus, at 3:19, the three chimes for the hour are immediately
followed by a double chime for the quarter-hour and again, without silence, by up to four chimes for the minute.
This device, which is unusual in the world of minute repeaters, is an indispensable characteristic
for Parmigiani Fleurier. The maison’s legendary criteria for ergonomics and directly perceptible
quality are also reflected in a running time extended to 72 hours, i.e. three full days, another rarity
for this complication.
LIGHTER THAN A PETAL
One-of-a-kind Lifetime Timepiece
The movement, although hidden by a solid dial on one side and by its hunter’s caseback on the other, has nevertheless been the object of an artistic and extensive skeletonization. Usually made visible by the
disappearance of the dial, it is here reserved for the owner and his or her closest confidants, a private and exclusive pleasure that speaks to the very unique nature of La Rosa Celeste. The shape given to the
bridges, the cut-out of their profile, and the size and extent of their openwork are artistic signatures, markers of aesthetic identity and indicators of the care given to execution and details. Parmigiani Fleurier has
taken this approach to the extreme. The skeletonization of the PF355 calibre is reminiscent of that of the PF361 calibre, known as the Chronor, which was launched in 2016 inside a model that was at the time the
pinnacle of the Parmigiani Fleurier collection. With its curves and counter-curves, harmonious inflections, the depth of the chamfers and its 114 inward and outward angles, Rosa Celeste is the product of unparalleled achievement. The bevelling, polishing and surface treatments are all done by hand. Thus, beauty, rarity and substance unite as stem, petal, and fragrance in this rose for the wrist. in a running time extended
to 72 hours, i.e. three full days, another rarity for this complication.
