Terreni: We’re here to perpetuate mechanical art and to do it in a way that respects the craft and moves the pleasure of watchmaking forward (All photos: Parmigiani Fleurier)
Parmigiani Fleurier is on a winning streak. And if this year’s string of releases is any indication, it has absolutely no intention of slowing down. Its timekeepers are born from a unique perspective, shaped by an expertise in antique restoration and a deep respect for the horological artisans who came before.
“The maison’s values are what move us every day,” says Terreni, referencing founder Michel Parmigiani’s ethos. “We’re here to perpetuate mechanical art and to do it in a way that respects the craft and moves the pleasure of watchmaking forward.”
Michel’s refusal to accept that everything has already been invented is reflected in the three world-firsts the brand has launched over the past five years. Terreni vividly remembers: “The first idea came on Jan 29, 2021, three days after I joined the company. We were stuck in the pandemic and thought how everyone would love to go back travelling. So we started to work on a flawless experience and a personal way for wearers to interact with time. That September, we came up with the ideas for the other two.”
Designed for the modern globetrotter, the Tonda PF GMT Rattrapante stealthily navigates two time zones with superimposed hands that appear or disappear as the owner sees fit. The Tonda PF Minute Rattrapante tracks elapsed time with the same concept, eschewing the need of a rotating bezel. Marking the maison’s 30th anniversary this year, the Tonda PF Chronographe Mystérieux reinterprets the chronograph function in a similar fashion — a feat that took four years of development.
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Functionally, the trio maintains a cohesive focus on personal, intimate engagement, embodying the brand’s signature purism and quiet luxury — a core identity it resolutely upholds amid a saturated market. “Consistency, to us, is paramount. If you look at our collections, you’ll see that it has the same etymology in terms of design language. Customers are overwhelmed by creativity every year, but after seeing a thousand watches, how many will they actually remember?
“‘On ne peut pas aller plus vite que la musique’. In French, it means you cannot go faster than the music. The music sets the pace for the melody. In development, it’s like that as well. You need to keep sufficient distance between one innovation and another to digest what you have done. Otherwise, you’ll be consuming creativity too quickly and create confusion rather than clarity,” Terrini says.
Three decades is young by horological standards, leaving Parmigiani Fleurier perfectly positioned to unlock its vast, untapped potential. “We want to expand our complications and venture into ladies’ pieces, which are extremely difficult to do. We want to continue to excite the public, so believe me, there is still a lot more to come.”
This article first appeared in 'Calibre' on July 27, 2026 in The Edge Malaysia.
