Parmigiani Fleurier’s Theodore Panos addresses guests over a meal prepared by Shaun Ng of Hide KL at SHH’s private dining room (All photos: Shahrin Yahya/ The Edge Malaysia)
Its heritage and history lie in restoration but the house of Parmigiani Fleurier has since proven itself to be the first choice of kings — His Majesty King Charles III, to be precise. Displaying a connoisseur’s penchant for the underrated and under-the-radar timekeeping brand, the monarch can often be spotted wearing his beloved Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph at key occasions, the elegant watch barely peeking out from under the cuff of his sharply tailored Anderson and Sheppard suits.
A relatively young label in comparison to other Swiss makes with centuries of legacy, Parmigiani, which bears the surname of its founder Michel, a genius-level clock and watch restorer, was launched in 1996, backed by the wealthy Sandoz Foundation. Today, its creations range from the world’s most complete Chinese calendar, as embodied in the Tonda PF Xiali Calendar, to the gorgeous, solid-gold Kalpa Chronor. Just as Parmigiani timepieces are sought by those who appreciate the artisanal, it should come as no surprise that the brand prides itself on discretion, elegance and a fierce defence of what can best be described as “private luxury”. After all, not everyone needs to shout in order to be heard.
Anna Lee, GM of Sincere Watch Sdn Bhd, Dato’ Thavalingam Thavarajah, Priya Terumalay, Raymond Devadass and Diana Khoo, editor of 'Options'
This article first appeared on May 20, 2024 in The Edge Malaysia.
