Case Study: How Parmigiani Fleurier's Kalpa Got Its Shape

Michel Parmigiani was still celebrating his new role as a brand owner - he founded Parmigiani Fleurier in 1996 - when he envisioned a watch driven by the practical consideration of comfort and ergonomics. “I wanted to create a piece whose dimensions were as universal as possible, a watch that can be worn comfortably on any wrist,” he recalls Pointing to a Kalpa on his own wrist, he alludes to the fit that is so well proportioned that you could hardly feel its weight. Also read: What you need to know before starting a watch collection A prototype watch profile made out of cardboard was tried out on his family and colleagues, through which he arrived at the ideal dimensions “I began to sketch the Kalpa, following the curve of the wrist.

I wanted neither straight lines nor sharp angles The tonneau shape was a logical consequence of this process.” Once the case design . Source