Parmigiani Fleurier’s new L’Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse, part of the ‘Objets dÁrt’ collection, is the first in a series of five pièces unique. Each Armoriale Mysterious Repeater will be different in design, but they are all born of Michel Parmigiani’s fondness for minute repeaters.

The Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse comes in a 42mm white gold case (12.65mm thick) with a mix of polishing and engraving. Designed exclusively for this model, it is inspired by classical Greco-Roman architecture, including Doric columns, and features a crown with grand feu enamel. It comes on a taupe hand-stitched alligator strap with an 18k rose gold pin buckle.

The ‘mystérieuse’ of the name describes the fact that the front of the case does not show the time, instead featuring pale green translucent enamel grand feu by Vanessa Lecci with hand-engraved guilloché by Yann Von Kaenel, central engraving by Eddy Jaquet, and a pinecone inspiration.

The time is displayed on the reverse side, which has a Guatemalan white disc jade. The circular indices are hand-applied polished rhodium-plated 18k gold and the hour and minute hands (‘H’and ‘M’ respectively) are also 18k gold.

Powering it is the manually-wound Renaud Papi Calibre PF355 with a minute repeater flywheel. It beats at 21,600 VPH and has a power reserve of 72 hours. Decoration wise, it’s Côtes de Genève, hand-bevelling, and perlage.

Now onto the repeater. The Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse uses cathedral gongs which wrap around the movement almost twice, with the hollowed-out back and sides of the case helping to amplify their sound. Additionally, a striking regulator ensures smooth, uninterrupted sound, maintaining a steady rhythm in the chimes.

A pièce unique has got to have a special box, and so it is for the L’Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse. Wood Acoustics studies show that wood types affect sound production and quality, with resonance, density, moisture content, and the wood graining all playing a part. The Mystérieuse’s box has a resonator made from Risoud spruce, chosen for its acoustic properties – spruce is said to give a clear bright sound. You can hear it in the video above.

[Photo credit: Parmigiani Fleurier]

Categories: Limited Editions, Minute Repeaters, Parmigiani, Watch Profile, watches