The Parmigiani Fleurier Rosa Mystica is the ultimate late Valentine’s Day gift
Borna Bošnjak- Second in a series of five piece uniques from the Grand Feu Collection
- Cathedral gongs, continuous chiming sequence and extensive skeletonisation
- Grand feu enamel on the hunter’s caseback and signature engraving of the white gold case
The latest in a series of five piece uniques hailing from the Grand Feu Collection is the Parmigiani Fleurier Rosa Mystica. A line that began with La Rosa Celeste, the Rosa Mystica carries over the intricately engraved Rose Carrée pattern that first appeared in an incredible pocket watch execution. For this latest iteration, clearly inspired by the holiday of love, Parmigiani presents its cathedral gong-equipped masterpiece with a striking red dial. Though released on Valentine’s Day, its scarcity and obscene price tag will most likely make it only the stuff of dreams. But if you’re still in the market for an extravagant V-Day gift, we suspect your partner won’t mind receiving this a few days late.
The dial is finished completely by hand, its 18k white-gold surface covered in organic-looking tiny engravings. Once the surface is prepared, Parmigiani Fleurier’s artisans cover the gold surface in crushed glass, before firing it at 800 degrees Celsius. The process is repeated six times, with the grain of the glass powder finer and finer in each take, and the necessity for precision becoming ever greater, for fear of re-firing the lower portions of the dial. The Rosa Mystica makes the most of its complex dial-making process, leaving lots of real estate empty, only occupying the outermost portion with small, square markers, matched by a minimal logo and skeletonised delta hands – all in rhodium-plated white gold.
The case itself is as much of a beauty as the dial. Hewn from 18k white gold, it’s intricately engraved with the repeating Rose Carrée pattern that first appeared on the pocket watch of the same name. It’s 42mm in diameter, each engraved surface naturally finished by hand, using a small chisel and ungodly amounts of patience and precision. The large crown is fitted with a cabochon-cut natural garnet that ties in the overall colour of the Rosa Mystica.
Though the case and dial are already so eye-catching, the real star of the show, at least in my opinion, hides beneath a grand feu enamelled caseback. Once again covering a large Rose Carrée engraving, it swings open, hinged at 2 o’clock, to reveal the beautiful in-house PF355 calibre within. Circling the case one and a half times, the gongs are suspended above the movement, connected directly to the gold case. The search for increased resonance required careful planning and cleverly positioned air pockets in the case that would allow the sound to travel more efficiently, though the loud chime isn’t the only party trick of the Rosa Mystica. Parmigiani has built in a continuous chiming feature, meaning that any dead time that would normally occur between the chiming sequences is eliminated. So, in case you’re asking the Rosa Mystica to chime 02:01, there will be no delay between the two hour chimes and single minute chime, normally separated by the missing quarters.
The decoration is also, frankly, incredible. Internal angles aplenty, with hand-bevelling, circular graining and Geneva striping regularly occurring in Parmigiani’s vocabulary. The PF355’s main visual attraction, however, are the lightened bridges, offering a greater look within thanks to the intricate skeletonisation work. Finally, for the sake of mentioning it, the Rosa Mystica’s PF355 movement beats at 3Hz, for up to 72 hours, though if those specs detract you – you’re in the wrong place.
Parmigiani Fleurier Rosa Mystica pricing and availability:
The Parmigiani Fleurier Les Roses Carrées Collection Grand Feu Rosa Mystica is a piece unique. Price: CHF 600,000
| Brand | Parmigiani Fleurier |
| Model | Les Roses Carrées Collection Grand Feu Rosa Mystica |
| Reference Number | PFH001-2010001-300181 |
| Case Dimensions | 42mm (D) x 13.39mm (T) |
| Case Material | 18k white gold |
| Water Resistance | 10 metres |
| Dial | 18k white gold, hand-chiselled red grand feu enamel with 18k gold rhodium-plated indices |
| Crystal(s) | Sapphire with AR coating |
| Strap | Red alligator leather strap with 18k white gold engraved pin buckle |
| Movement | In-house PF355 manually winding calibre |
| Power Reserve | 72 hours |
| Functions | Cathedral gong minute repeater, continuous chiming sequence |
| Availability | Piece unique |
| Price | CHF 600,000 |