Parmigiani digs music. So much that they are one of the main sponsors of the Montreaux Jazz Festival, a place where musicians get together to jam. You might have heard of some of them. Miles Davis, Prince, Sting and Paul Simon. Yeah, these superstars travel all the way to Switzerland to what’s known as the Swiss Riviera at the foot of the Alps on the banks of Lake Geneva for the festival.
Don’t worry if you can’t get tickets to the main events because out of 12 venues 10 are free! Places such as the Montreaux Jazz Café, The Studio/Cocktail Garden and Music in the Park are hip places to hang out for the duration of the 16 days, where there will be over 1000 hours of music and 1000 musicians. The gigs go on 18 hours for an all day and night party.
In keeping with tradition Parmigiani will introduce a limited edition timepiece for the event, and this year presents 25 of their characteristic Kalpa Grande and XL models, whose proportions follow the principles of the Golden Ratio. Gracing the dial is a male nude’s silhouette done in a special technique of cross brushing. The design takes its inspiration from the festival poster done by American photographer Greg Gorman, whose male nude in motion symbolizes “the contemplative experience of listening to music”.
Parmigiani created two versions of the Montreaux Jazz Festival edition timepiece. The men’s watch features a black colored dial, while the women’s has a mellower ivory one. The Festival’s 2012 logo is stamped on the sapphire open-case back. Inside the watches ticks Parmigiani’s in-house Calibre PF 331 with hours, minutes, and central seconds. It’s nice that Parmigiani left a view of the movement because the finishing they do is really top-notch.
Parmigiani does more than just put out special edition watches for the festival. They get really into it. This year guests will enjoy a 90-square meter private VIP area smack dab in the middle of the action. If you’re one of the lucky ones you’ll also get a ride in Parmigiani’s air balloon. A few years ago I got to float above the mountains to see the spectacular view and it’s a really cool experience.
Since about 15 of the special edition watches will be given to the attending artists, there are only 10 left, so if you want one, you better get moving on your order.
