Foversta's account of Parmigiani Fleurier's 21st anniversary celebration in Paris offers a unique glimpse into luxury brand engagement. His narrative highlights how an unconventional event, centered around a game of pétanque with custom-made boules, fostered a memorable and personal experience for guests. This post underscores the importance of creative client relations and the distinctive charm of Parmigiani Fleurier's Parisian salon.
A few days ago, I was invited to a very special celebration in Paris: the 21th anniversary of Parmigiani Fleurier and at the same time, the second anniversary of the Salon Parmigiani in the capital of France. The Salon Parmigiani is one of my fav horological places in Paris. For two main reasons: its location, in the arcade of the Palais Royal Gardens and because the staff always offers a warm welcome to the visitors.
I like the concept put in place by Parmigiani. Obviously, the Salon is a bit off-centered when compared to the other watches boutiques of Paris. But on the other hand, the focus is made on the experience toward the customers with a very comfortable and cosy place. Each person who enters the Salon has he feeling to be at home with large couches and bookshelves.
So I was very happy to join friends to celebrate these milestones when I realized that I would not attend a classic anniversary party but a very original friendly competition. Actually, the guests were gathered to play games of Petanque! Petanque, wait a minute... how can I translate this? Boules? Bowling? Well, I didn't find a satisfactory translation so I will keep Petanque. If you already visited the South of France, you know what I'm talking about. Petanque is a bit the national pastime in France even if it seems to be more popular with elder people.
But the true surprise was to find the specific steel balls with which we would play. This set of 3 balls, created by a famous brand, La Boule Bleue (the true balls from Marseille!), was designed to celebrate the 21st anniversary of Parmigiani. I couldn't imagine a gift so original (and also so heavy and I was happy to not get it in Geneva during the SIHH!) and in the end so useful... because I will be able to play with it this summer on Petanque courts! Three balls without forgetting the very small wood ball, the famous cochonnet, the jack, which is the target of the game.
I am very proud to tell you that the team in which I was playing won this fierce competition! Of course, I asked to Parmigiani to play with one of their watches during the game and I chose the Tonda Hémisphères. I selected it because I love travel watches and this one has a very practical second timezone display combined with nigh/day indicators for home and local times. I like the touch of blue and the open dial which brings a quite technical feeling.
Even if the case is large (42mm), it remains comfortable on the wrist thanks to the very curved lugs (a kind of Parmigiani element of style) and the Hermes strap on the folding clasp. The movement is the PF337 which is the combo between an in-house PF331 base and the second timezone display module also coming from Parmigiani Fleurier. So the movement is fully in-house. It features a power reserve of 50 hours and a 4hz frequency.
We started the competition at 7pm and despite an uncertain weather, we played during almost two hours. To be frank, I had rarely so much fun with a gift from a brand. The balls were so beautiful when I opened for the first time the wood box that it was a bit a pity to use them for the games. The first scratches came very quickly but these Petanque balls are like watches: they are made to be used! The scratches are the proof that we are living with them and that we are enjoying them!
It is a pleasure for me to share with you these pics taken during the event:
Happy Birthday Parmigiani Fleurier!
But what are we going to discover inside these boxes?
Frédéric Tempier, Parmigiani Fleurier Brand Manager for France and Benelux comes from Marseille. So he knows very well how to play Pétanque and he had the wonderful idea of this lovely gift... and to organize the competition!
The set of balls is gorgeous. The cleaning cloth is mandatory when you play Pétanque!
Each set was decorated with different patterns. Some sets were also heavier than others. Here is my set with two groups of three stripes on each ball.
Ready to play with the Tonda Hémisphères:
In front of the celebration balls!
The full set with the jack:
The weight of the ball is engraved, here 690g:
A closer shot of the Parmigiani Hémisphères. You will notice the very legible second timezone display on top of the dial.
Even the ladies were playing... and of course with elegance in such beautiful scenery.
Let me check the distance between the balls and the jack... yes we won!
Petanque players on the background...
And a very last view on the Pétanque balls...
I would like to thank a lot the Parmigiani France team for this fun and original event! And if you come to Paris, don't hesitate to visit the Salon Parmigiani in the Palais Royal Gardens. It is very close to the Louvre so you can easily combine both visits and so enjoy all the good sides of Paris!
I will come back soon about Parmigiani with a review of the Toric Chronometer.
Fx
