Introducing – Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Anniversaire, a solid gold movement in a steel case

Recently, the high-end brand Parmigiani Fleurier introduced a special piece for its 20th anniversary, the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa Hebdomadaire Anniversaire Piece unique. Apart from its nice design, paying tribute to the very first watch designed by Michel Parmigiani, the main interest was in the combination of an almost commoner steel case with a splendid hand-engraved solid gold movement. We thought it would have remained a unique iteration, but in front of the success encountered, Parmigiani decided to introduce a limited edition of 10 pieces, the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Anniversaire.

Here, with this new Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Anniversaire, the concept is the same as the pièce unique. A traditional (to Parmiginai standards) case, a tonneau shape, with a sort of italian feel in it, slightly original, highly elegant and rather unique, as a reference to the first watch created by Michel Parmigiani when he launched his brand in 1996. Just like in the pièce unique, the case is here made in stainless steel, a material quite rare for such a Parmigiani watch, usually crafted in precious materials. One main difference though, the dial of the pièce unique was in havana brown, with gold indexes. The 10-piece limited edition will come with a dark grey dial, still with gold indexes and hands.

The dial of the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Anniversaire combines matte surfaces and concentric waves obtained by guilloché. Time is classically indicated on the central axis, a small second sits at 6, with a date window. On the upper half, we can see a power reserve indicator, set for 8 days (and here is the reason for the Hebdomadaire name, meaning “weekly”). The manual-wind movement of this watch is indeed featuring 2 series-coupled barrels. However, the beauty is not only in the technics… it’s clearly the execution that marvels.

Just like the pièce unique, this Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Anniversaire features a hand-finished movement, just like all the high-end movements of the brand. What makes it special is that all the bridges and plates are manufactured in solid gold, then hand polished, frosted and bevelled, and finally hand-engraved. “A gold movement inside a steel case is like a precious item, jealously guarded in a safe. The impenetrable inner riches of a person are a well-hidden treasure. A rare beauty only found by those who know where to look.” (Michel Parmigiani). However, the motif here is different from the one used in the pièce unique – still floral but less opulent. Anyway, this movement is a pure beauty and its materials and finishing are stunning.

The Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Anniversaire is a limited edition of 10 pieces – price not defined yet, but expect around 70,000 Swiss Francs (just like the pièce unique). More details on the brand’s website.