Worn on the wrist of Michel Parmigiani himself, this watch is the first ever piece to have been created by the brand. Establishing many of the design cues that Parmigiani is now known for, it is both elegant and subtle in style.

Introduced in 1996, this Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Memory Time bears the distinction of being the first ever watch to have been created by the brand. The name itself, Memory Time, is highly evocative, recalling Parmigianis roots as a restorer and aptly encompassing the nostalgic aesthetics of the piece.

Frequently seen on the wrist of Michel Parmigiani himself, the watch establishes core design principles that can be seen across subsequent pieces in the Toric collection, such as the stepped coin-edge bezel and the javelin-style hands. The shape of the watch was inspired by the curvature of the Golden Ratio, while the intricate bezel draws upon classical Greek and Roman Doric columns.

Elegance and subtlety are the watchwords of this neo-vintage piece, as it combines traditional techniques like engine-turning with an understated complication, further maintaining its classically styled look through the combination of a platinum case and silvered dial. The watch also possesses an unusual jump hour display that allows the watch to incorporate a discreet GMT complication, giving the wearer the option to include an alternative time zone in place of the traditional 12 oclock indication.

Powered by the self-winding calibre PF132, which is based off a Lemania 8813 bauche, the movement can be seen through the sapphire caseback. It is decorated to the highest standards, with a skeletonised rotor that reveals the baseplate a detail that cannot be found elsewhere in the series and subtle Ctes de Genve.

Closer look

This Parmigiani Fleurier Memory Time is in very good condition overall, with a few superficial marks consistent with light wear over time. The watch comes with a two-year warranty from A Collected Man, alongside a lifetime guarantee of authenticity.