News Michel Parmigiani was one of several luxury watchmakers to exhibit his latest masterpieces in Geneva from 28 March to 4 April at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH). However, it was in Basle on 23 March, the day the World Watch, Clock and Jewellery Show opened there, that his company caught the media's attention when its prestigious collection was offered to the public at a third sales point in Switzerland.
It was a little over 25 years ago that a collector from Basle entrusted Michel Parmigiani with restoring some watch treasures dating from the Restoration to the present day. This marked a turning point for the young watchmaker from Fleurier who had started out with Marcel Jean-Richard, a descendent of a family of local watchmakers known for their astronomical watches. The opening of a sales point in Basle, therefore, was an event of particular significance for him as it represented a return of sorts to his professional roots.
In the early spring of 1999, Parmigiani Fleurier and the watch and jewellery company Gübelin joined forces to exclusively distribute the former's collection throughout Switzerland. After Geneva and Zurich, it was the turn of Gübelin Basel at Freie Strasse 27 (see photo). This will certainly not be the last of Gübelin's stores to offer its customers Parmigiani watches, with Saint-Moritz and other locations to follow in the near future.
Sales have also been very successful, exceeding 1999's objectives, which both companies felt were a little high, by over 80% ! This, of course, raises the problem of supply, even though Parmigiani is planning to increase last year's production of 1,000 pieces to 1,300, or even 1,500, for this year (long-term production is set at around 3,500). Prices range from 10,000 to 70,000 francs. And while the restoration sector accounts for a mere one or two percent of overall turnover, its contribution is far from negligible in terms of the company's heritage and savoir-faire.
Gübelin will be celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2004. A Lucerne family enterprise, it has 160 employees and is run by Mr Thomas Gübelin, a member of the family's fifth generation.
Distinguished by the originality of its precious stones, its diamond-cutting expertise and the quality of its service, it only carries exclusive Swiss watch brands alongside its own creations. These include Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Omega, Ebel, TAG Heuer, Gucci, Longines, Rado, Tissot and Swatch. Its nine shops are located in Lucerne (two sales points), Zurich, Geneva, Lugano, Berne, Saint-Moritz, Gridelwald and Basle.
April 17, 2000
