2013/02/06

Parmigiani Fleurier the Musical Pieces

 

IllustratIng the spIrIt of musIc through marquetry work – such was the chal- lenge that parmIgIanI fleurIer embarked upon. thIs year the brand Is unveIlIng three astoundIng creatIons

Two Tonda Tourbillon wristwatches and a table clock which dials evoke the world of musical art and represent a new quest for excellence.

In order to project a colourful and musical dynamism, Parmigiani Fleurier has turned for the first time to the refined and deli- cate art of marquetry. This truly ancient process consists of cutting out and assembling veneers – wooden veneers in this case – on a flat surface in order to create a highly meticulous decoration.

A true mosaic of colours, marquetry brings out the musical character of each of the three pieces and celebrates the Fleurier-based company’s long-standing commitment to mod- ern musical culture.

These three timepieces are an illustration of watchmaking excellence, but also of the boundless creativity of Parmigiani Fleurier. They express a genuine endeavour to promote the ancient and rare work of craftsmen; to ensure that traditional arts and crafts always have their place in the Swiss watch- making scene.

Tonda Woodrock / Tonda WoodsTock

the IconIc tonda tourbIllon model bears on Its dIal the fIrst parmIgIanI fleurIer marquetrIes and consIst of two unIque pIeces of rare beauty whIch Imply an astoundIng creatIvIty and darIng.

The idea dreamt up by the Parmigiani Fleurier designers was to depict a musical scene which was not static and conven- tional, as literal representations often are.

The guitar is an instrument with natural links to wood marquetry, and it was decided to use the Union Jack and the Stars and Stripes as the backdrops in this tableau paying homage to the two most influential countries in the history of rock and roll. The Tonda’s tourbillon becomes the sound box of the guitar, music and the watchmaking art become one and the instru- ment comes to life through the regular oscillations of the complication.

Each marquetry dial is the result of 10 days’ work and comprises more than fifty pieces of dyed wood. These have been designed, cut and then assembled with such meticulous care that the resulting dial appears perfectly flat to the naked eye.

The Tonda Woodrock, the British version, and Tonda Woodstock, the American version, are two unique models suggesting a paradigm where sound and image are interchangeable; two watches which celebrate the international culture of music, illustrated through exceptional watchmaking.