M4
[Parmigiani Moderator]
10263
A look at the Parmigiani Ovale with Pantographe Hands
PHOTO CREDIT (4 photos) - Hodinkee
The idea of using pantographe hands in the Ovale came from Michel Parmigiani's earlier resotration of a Jardon & Stedmann pocket watch from the early 1800s.
Of course there's more to the watch than just the pantographe hands but there's no mistaking that the hands are the star of the show. Here is a description of what goes into the making of the hands from ABTW.
"Individually cut from titanium with a mixture of water and nitrogen to a tolerance smaller than 4 microns, they are super light and super blue. And because they are so light and thin, they are of course extremely fragile, and so they have to assembled by hand. Both the hour and minute hands are composed of six individual pieces which are held together by six rivets each; because as the hands expand and retract, they have to swivel – and that motion is only made possible by these hand-applied rivets."
PHOTO CREDIT (4 photos) - Hodinkee
The large center post covers the apparatus that dictates the expansion and retraction of the hands as they traverse the oval shape of the dial. The engineering and manufacturing effort to get the hands to track the dial at a consistent distance from the perimeter of the dial is a significant feat. The apparatus is complex and apparently was an extreme challenge even with computer-aided design (it makes one appreciate the original Jardon & Stedmann accomplishment even more).
The large center post covers the apparatus that dictates the expansion and retraction of the hands as they traverse the oval shape of the dial. The engineering and manufacturing effort to get the hands to track the dial at a consistent distance from the perimeter of the dial is a significant feat. The apparatus is complex and apparently was an extreme challenge even with computer-aided design (it makes one appreciate the original Jardon & Stedmann accomplishment even more).
The movement in the 2013 Ovale Pantographe is the familiar PF111 "Hebdomadaire" 8-day manual winding movement. I am personally a big fan of this movement, firstly because I love manual winding movements, secondly because I like long power reserves, and thirdly because it is exquisitely finished. One of our forum members (I'm sorry, I don't recall who) said the movement reminds him of clouds and I find that an apt description.
PHOTO CREDIT (1 photo) - Hodinkee
In 2017, Parmigiani released a modified version of the Ovale Pantographe. The modifications included a cream colored dial with black applied numerals along with black pantographe hands. I'm a fan of this color combination although it should be noted the dial is stamped and not hand-applied guilloche.
PHOTO CREDIT (4 photos) - Deployant
A big change in the 2017 release is the all gold movement. I like it a lot.
PHOTO CREDIT (2 photos) - Deployant
I have never handled an Ovale in person. My expectation is that it would be a very comfortable fitting watch. The dimensions of the watch are similar to the Kalpa XL but it appears to be even slightly more curvaceous for an ergonomic fit. I'm looking forward to the day I can handle one.
In 2017, Parmigiani released a modified version of the Ovale Pantographe. The modifications included a cream colored dial with black applied numerals along with black pantographe hands. I'm a fan of this color combination although it should be noted the dial is stamped and not hand-applied guilloche.
PHOTO CREDIT (4 photos) - Deployant
A big change in the 2017 release is the all gold movement. I like it a lot.
PHOTO CREDIT (2 photos) - Deployant
I have never handled an Ovale in person. My expectation is that it would be a very comfortable fitting watch. The dimensions of the watch are similar to the Kalpa XL but it appears to be even slightly more curvaceous for an ergonomic fit. I'm looking forward to the day I can handle one.
PHOTO CREDIT - Deployant
All Ovale Pantographe watches are available in red gold or white gold. Here is one of the few photos I found of the 2017 white gold Ovale with stamped dial and gold movement.
PHOTO CREDIT - Time Transformed
PHOTO CREDIT - Time Transformed
Hoping you all have a wonderful Sunday.
M4
A look at the Parmigiani Ovale with Pantographe Hands
Parmigiani cut its teeth as a restorer of antiquities: watches, clocks and automatons. This background in restoration was the inspiration behind the Ovale Pantographe first shown as a prototype in 2011 and followed with a production release in 2013, shown...
One of the most exciting watches of the last decades in my humble opinion 👌🏻👍🏻
And you are right - it is quite comfortable on the wrist 👌🏻👍🏻 Been some years since I handled one but I would definitely like to get one when the situation allows 🤞🏻
Even found the old thread…
Where I wrote about it. Many moons ago 😂🤷🏻♂️ Here it is: www.watchprosite.com
Such a cool set of watches....
They should make a model with a boxing glove on the end of each hand, just like in the comics. lol ...
Thank you for the detailed and beautifully illustrated write up of a fantastic watch!
The Ovale Pantographe is very high on my "Want List" - approaching "grail" status. I've done too much purchasing lately to acquire one anytime soon, but your post reminds me why it's such a compelling piece.
I love this watch!
Thank you for this review highlighting the different variants. I hope you’ll be able to handle one someday soon. Best, Emmanuel
Thanks Emmanuel.
There are also conventional fixed hands versions, usually with a tourbillon, but I wanted to limit this post solely to Ovales outfitted with pantographe hands.
Gotta applaud the ingenuity of these hands
Parmigiani is never afraid to take a chance. They remind me a lot of early 2000s Ulysse Nardin. Great post to start the New Year. Thanks, Dan!
Love these pieces
If you like the finishing, check out the Ionica models. Same movement I think!