What Makes the Parmigiani Ovale Pantographe Special?
The Parmigiani Ovale Pantographe stands out among fine watchmaking complications for its whimsical and astonishing engineering. This watch is renowned for its signature innovation: telescoping hands that adapt their length as they travel around the oval-shaped dial.
The Telescoping Hands Mechanism
The timepiece features an extraordinary mechanism where the hour and minute hands extend or retract depending on their position on the dial. These hands consist of thin metal blades, similar to spring-loaded clips, controlled by a central-axis system that regulates torsion with impeccable precision.
Historical Origins of the Pantograph Hands
The mechanism traces its roots back to the 1800s, when British jewellers Vardon & Stedman first introduced the concept in pocket watches. Parmigiani Fleurier later revived and miniaturized the system for wristwatches—a significantly more demanding engineering challenge.
Evolution of the Parmigiani Ovale Pantographe
The first modern wristwatch to use this system was the Parmigiani 114, released in 2011 with titanium hands. In 2015, the brand transitioned to aluminium hands for improved structural stability and reduced weight.
Movement: The Impressive PF111 Calibre
Inside the Parmigiani Ovale Pantographe beats the PF111 calibre, an upgraded PF110 equipped with the telescoping-hand system. It delivers an exceptional 8-day (192-hour) power reserve, making it both artistic and highly practical.
Design and Wearing Comfort
The white lacquer dial offers a refined, elegant appearance, complementing the oval case sized at 45 × 37.6 mm. The watch is available in white gold or rose gold, providing a comfortable wrist presence with a distinctive aesthetic.
Full Specifications of the Parmigiani Ovale Pantographe
The Parmigiani Fleurier Ovale Pantographe features a white-gold or rose-gold case, 45 × 37.6 mm dimensions, 12 mm thickness, sapphire crystal and caseback, telescoping hands, PF111 movement, 28 jewels, 21,600 vph, 8-day power reserve, alligator-leather strap with matching buckle, and 30 m water resistance.
Learn More About This Unique Watch
To explore more about the pantograph mechanism, visit the official Parmigiani website (external link, dofollow):
Parmigiani Fleurier Official Website
For more unique and rare luxury watches, explore our internal collection here:
Rare Watches Collection
