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The Secret Beauty of the Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse

Rave Staff

4 Dec 2024

On December 2nd, the birthday of Parmigiani Fleurier’s founder, Michel Parmigiani, the brand unveiled its latest masterpiece: the Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse. This new creation embodies the pinnacle of haute horology, seamlessly blending artistic mastery with exceptional acoustic engineering. The timepiece is a tribute to Michel Parmigiani’s unwavering commitment to preserving the craft of mechanical art, marking a significant milestone in the Objets d'Art collection.


A Unique Design: Tradition Meets Innovation


The Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse is a watch unlike any other, starting with its striking 42mm white gold case. This piece, designed exclusively for this model, stands as a testament to Parmigiani Fleurier’s craftsmanship and aesthetics. The case is adorned with a hand-engraved guilloché pattern inspired by the spiral of a pinecone—a symbol of natural harmony and perfection. The motif reflects the golden ratio and Fibonacci sequence, connecting the design to universal geometry and the beauty of nature.


At the heart of this timepiece lies the ancient art of Grand Feu enamelling. Each layer of pastel green enamel is carefully applied, heated to 800°C, and polished by hand to create a captivating depth. This painstaking process transforms raw materials into a living work of art, revealing intricate details and vibrant colours that seem to dance with light. The watch’s front is an immersive experience in craftsmanship, while the back hides a secret.


Michel Parmigiani

The Mystery of the Secret Dial


The Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse defies conventional design. Instead of displaying the time on its face, this timepiece offers an artistic display of craftsmanship. The front of the watch features a translucent pastel green enamel, showcasing a finely guilloché pinecone pattern. Hidden on the reverse side of the watch, however, is the secret dial: a rose gold hour and minute marker discreetly placed on a Guatemalan white jade disk. Circular indices are engraved, offering the wearer a personal and intimate way of telling time. This "secret" dial turns the act of checking the time into a deeply personal experience.



Emotional Sound: The Power of the Gong


A highlight of the Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse is its minute repeater, a revered complication that chimes the hours and minutes on demand. The minute repeater was historically used to tell time in the dark, and Parmigiani Fleurier has reimagined this tradition with an innovative twist. The timepiece features extra-long "cathedral" gongs that wrap around the movement nearly twice, producing a resonant, bell-like tone. Each strike of the gong fills the air with a profound sound that echoes through time, creating an emotional connection between the wearer and the artistry of the timepiece.


Guido Terreni, CEO of Parmigiani Fleurier, explains, “We created the Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse to transcend the simple act of telling the time, inviting its owner to connect with time purely through sound, honouring the original purpose of minute repeaters. Each strike becomes a profound connection to the mystery of chiming watches in its purest form.”



Masterful Movement: Renaud Papi’s Craftsmanship


Inside the Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse is a manual winding movement crafted by the renowned watchmaker Renaud Papi. Comprising 392 components, the movement features a 72-hour power reserve and ensures unparalleled clarity in timekeeping. The movement is housed in a case designed to amplify the sound of the gongs. Each component is carefully calibrated to maximize resonance and maintain precision, creating a harmonious balance of mechanics and artistry.



Bespoke Resonance: A Watch Box Like No Other


To complement the Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse, Parmigiani Fleurier has created a bespoke watch box made of Risoud spruce wood. The resonator inside the box enhances the sound of the minute repeater, allowing the owner to modulate the resonance by placing the watch at different points within the case. This rare sensory experience elevates the watch’s chimes to a new level, making each moment of listening a unique event.


A Legacy of Craftsmanship


The Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse is not just a timepiece; it is a celebration of art, sound, and nature. With only five unique pieces in existence, each one will be personalized to mark a milestone in contemporary watchmaking. As Michel Parmigiani so eloquently put it, “In nature, every form, every pattern bears the imprint of perfection—a perfection found in the spirals of a pinecone, where the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence intertwine to reveal the harmony of the world.” This timepiece is a tribute to that perfection, capturing the beauty of nature and the timeless elegance that inspires every creation from Parmigiani Fleurier.

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