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Lot Essay
The Parmigiani Fleurier Tecnica Ombre Cubana is an extraordinary combination of technical complexity and refined aesthetics, housed in a substantial 45 mm. pink gold case. Most importantly, the present watch is a unique piece, a status confirmed by the engraving on the caseback. Its defining feature is the specially created brown dial, conceived to evoke the rich brown tones of a Cuban cigar, which provides a striking contrast with the warmth of the polished pink gold case. The watch follows the Tecnica Ombre Blanche, introduced in 2014 as a limited edition of only five pieces, while taking the concept in an entirely individual direction.
The minute repeater is distinguished by an ingenious and highly unusual activation system. Rather than using the conventional slide on the caseband, the mechanism is activated by rotating the bezel, whose finely knurled gold edge provides additional grip. The characteristic knurling is executed by hand by a specialist craftsman in the Jura, continuing the same artisanal technique used for Parmigiani Fleurier's Toric bezels since 1997. Pink gold was deliberately selected for the case for its acoustic qualities, enhancing the resonance of the minute repeater.
At the heart of the watch is a highly sophisticated in-house, manually wound movement bringing together three grand complications: a minute repeater with cathedral gongs, a perpetual calendar and a one-minute tourbillon. Unlike conventional repeater gongs, which typically encircle the movement approximately one and a half times, the cathedral gongs extend around it twice. Their increased length produces a richer, deeper and more resonant sound when the repeater is activated.
Despite this formidable mechanical complexity, the dial remains remarkably harmonious and legible. Three subsidiary displays occupy its upper half: the month and leap-year indication at 9 o'clock, date and power reserve at 12 o'clock, and day of the week at 3 o'clock. Providing a visual counterpoint below, the one-minute tourbillon is prominently displayed through an aperture at 6 o'clock.
The minute repeater is distinguished by an ingenious and highly unusual activation system. Rather than using the conventional slide on the caseband, the mechanism is activated by rotating the bezel, whose finely knurled gold edge provides additional grip. The characteristic knurling is executed by hand by a specialist craftsman in the Jura, continuing the same artisanal technique used for Parmigiani Fleurier's Toric bezels since 1997. Pink gold was deliberately selected for the case for its acoustic qualities, enhancing the resonance of the minute repeater.
At the heart of the watch is a highly sophisticated in-house, manually wound movement bringing together three grand complications: a minute repeater with cathedral gongs, a perpetual calendar and a one-minute tourbillon. Unlike conventional repeater gongs, which typically encircle the movement approximately one and a half times, the cathedral gongs extend around it twice. Their increased length produces a richer, deeper and more resonant sound when the repeater is activated.
Despite this formidable mechanical complexity, the dial remains remarkably harmonious and legible. Three subsidiary displays occupy its upper half: the month and leap-year indication at 9 o'clock, date and power reserve at 12 o'clock, and day of the week at 3 o'clock. Providing a visual counterpoint below, the one-minute tourbillon is prominently displayed through an aperture at 6 o'clock.