The quest for universal proportions – Parmigiani Kalpa Collection
The Kalpa collection followed on from the first watch movement created by Michel Parmigiani in 1998 : the tonneau-shaped calibre PF110. Twenty years later, the design of this movement is still just as impressive. Indicating the hours, minutes, small seconds, date and power reserve – the quintessence of time measurement – it powers the new hand-wound Kalpa Hebdomadaire.
Now available as a self-winding calibre, the new PF442 was awarded Fleurier Quality Certification after undergoing a strict testing regime to certify its reliability and craftsmanship.
Kalpa Hebdomadaire
The new Kalpa Hebdomadaire is a piece that honours the history of the Kalpa and the brand’s first movement, which was tonneau-shaped. Developed by Michel Parmigiani in 1998 and honoured with an innovation award the following year, the hand-wound calibre PF110 is characterised by its impressive eight-day power reserve, made possible by the two series-mounted barrels. This remarkably symbolic Haute Horlogerie calibre features hour and minute functions, small seconds at 6 o’clock, a date display and a weekly power reserve indicator. In keeping with the other new-generation Kalpa watches, the refined design features of its mechanism – « Côtes de Genève » pattern, bevelled bridges and circular-graining – are exposed through a sapphire case-back, with the wide tonneau opening revealing its seamless integration with the case.
As the face of the collection, the rich black dial delivers on many different levels, with an opaline finish in the centre and on the power reserve scale, as well as a hand-worked braid-effect guilloché detail on the flange.
Kalpa Qualité Fleurier
Its name contains a promise – that of proven technical and aesthetic excellence. The Kalpa Qualité Fleurier has fulfilled the five strictest and most comprehensive certification criteria in watchmaking*, at testing to its uncompromising reliability and craftsmanship. It is equipped with the new self-winding calibre PF442, which features hour, minute and central seconds indications, as well as the date at 12 o’clock. This movement houses a series-mounted double-barrel that guarantees a better distribution of energy within the calibre and increases its power reserve to 60 hours. Each component meets Haute Horlogerie standards in terms of its finish, and the bridges are decorated with a crossed Côtes de Genève pattern whose complexity reflects the rigour of Fleurier Quality certification. The case in 18 carat red gold marks a departure from the brand’s customary rose gold. The black dial features an opaline and hand-guilloché decoration around its edge with a braid-effect pattern.
Kalpa Chronor
This is the highlight of the new generation Kalpa. The Kalpa Chronor houses the world’s first solid gold integrated self-winding chronograph movement. This tonneau watch in hand-polished 18 ct rose gold measures 48.2 x 40.4 mm and houses an exceptional mechanism that has been developed and manufactured entirely in-house over six years. The COSC-certified calibre PF365 oscillates at the high frequency of 36,000 vibrations per hour (5 Hz) to achieve a reading accuracy of one tenth of a second. With a power reserve of approximately 65 hours, this Haute Horlogerie movement equipped with a column wheel and vertical clutch – hallmarks of precision and user comfort – is distinctive for its prestigious 18 ct gold construction.
Kalpagraphe Chronomètre
The stylish masculinity of this Haute Horlogerie watch lies in the form of one of the most popular horological complications: the chronograph. It is powered by a new shaped movement bearing the hallmarks of Parmigiani Fleurier – the calibre PF362, a COSC-certified, self-winding, integrated chronograph offering hour, minute, small seconds and chronograph functions as well as a tachymeter scale and date display, with a 65-hour power reserve.
As for the display, the dial is divided into different levels and features a blue centre treated with PVD with an opaline finish, a radial guilloché-worked flange punctuated with hand-applied faceted indices, two snailed counters enclosed within a fine gold edging, an angled tachymeter scale, a semi-instantaneous date window and a small seconds sector with its own hand.
The year of the Kalpa in four watches
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