Which watch does the king wear? Rap royalty selects the world’s rarest Patek Philippes. King James, His Highness the Lakers of Los Angeles, support Richard Milles and Audemars Piguets. But what about an actual newly crowned monarch? In the case of King Charles III, newly installed on the throne, the watch chosen matches all we know about the man: he is quiet in style and has a fondness for the outdoors. The items are handmade and have a long life.
While completing his royal duties and attending a mourning crowd in the presence of his mother, Queen Elizabeth II, Charles wore an automatic Toric Chronograph by Parmigiani Fleurier. Parmigiani Fleurier is not a household name, unless your living quarters are made up of people debating the merits of various complexities. The Parmigiani Fleurier was launched in 1996, making it a relative newcomer in a world where diamonds are common. However, given what we know about the way Charles dresses, it’s no surprise that he’s looking for the brand.
King Charles III greets the wise during a stroll, on the second day of public mourning after the death of Queen Elizabeth II, in London, United Kingdom, on Saturday, September 10, 2022 The death of Elizabeth II at the age of 96 marks the start of a tumultuous 10 days for the UK, which will see a queen buried, a nation of mourning for the longest reigning monarch. his own and a new king was proclaimed. Photographer: Chris J. Ratcliffe / Bloomberg via Getty ImagesBloomberg/Getty Images
“I am lucky that I can find amazing people who create things that I cherish, and so I try to keep them going for longer.” Charles told British Vogue in the fall of 2020. Wonder people are brilliant creators? The founder of Parmigiani Fleurier, Michel Parmigiani, fits that bill perfectly. Michel started out as a restorer, taking on high-profile jobs like the Patek Philippe Museum, until investors encouraged him to launch his own brand.
Michel launched his brand with the Toric model. Like many famous watch brands, the goods come to every detail. Notice the moon counterweight on the seconds hand, the elegant numerals in the date window, and that nicely textured bezel. The bezels are “knotted” by hand, a grooving process you can see all over the world on dumbbell handles.
