Laura Flessel, a Woman of Exception for Parmigiani Fleurier

When the ladies’ collection was launched in 2006, Parmigiani Fleurier embarked on its Women of Exception project to recognise women from around the world who have devoted their lives to fields as diverse as science, medicine, business, sport, art and culture. These women, Nadia Dresti, Francesca Colombo or Pancy Ho, have been the architects of their own success; they have excelled in their field of expertise through selflessness, creativity and independence of spirit, tirelessly employing their qualities to the full day after day. Simply and without arrogance, these women have become leaders in their chosen domains while retaining their sense of curiosity and passion to guarantee continued success in future projects.

Parmigiani Fleurier wishes to recognise these exceptional women for their accomplishments, which sit perfectly with the brand’s own cherished philosophy. This title has nothing to do with celebrity, fortune or status; it is a distinction that acknowledges merit – an expression of admiration.

Today, Parmigiani Fleurier is deeply honoured and proud to bestow the title of Woman of Exception on Laura Flessel, the French fencer whose career has illuminated the world of sport. Nicknamed “La Guêpe” (the wasp) by the public, she employed her passion, talent and determination to unite a nation around this most refined of sports and inspire future generations of fencers. Humble, in spite of her impressive record of success, Laura Flessel has become a worldwide ambassador for Parmigiani Fleurier. She has been awarded a new watch from the ladies’ collection in honour of the philosophy she shares with the brand, and to celebrate the passion that has driven her this far.

Laura Flessel is a French fencer whose talent has inspired a generation of sportsmen and women. Born and raised in Guadeloupe, where she developed her passion for fencing, she made her international debut in 1995. Her record since then is breathtaking: double Olympic champion, 6 times world champion and one time European champion – not to mention 15 national gold medals – Laura Flessel’s 17-year international career is a shining example of human endeavour and perseverance. The London Olympics marked her retirement from fencing, however she is currently embarking on a range of different challenges around the world, including humanitarian causes and promotional initiatives for the sport that remains so dear to her.

When Parmigiani Fleurier launched the outstanding classic extra-thin Tonda 1950 watch in 2010, the intention was always for this model to house several new variations – including, of course, a women’s version. In 2012, Parmigiani Fleurier is proud to present the new stone-set Tonda 1950, with a bezel featuring 84 diamonds, delicately integrated without altering the elegant profile of the piece or disturbing its harmonious proportions. Just like its predecessor – the Tonda 1950 – the new stone-set Tonda 1950 embodies the stylistic essence of Parmigiani Fleurier, stripped down to just the brand’s signature codes. The thin, slender profile with the two emblematic lugs; the cut round crown; the delta-shaped hands.

The ultra-thin automatic movement is 30 mm (13 ¼ lignes) in diameter and 2.6 mm thick – dimensions so compact, in fact, that a large number of future aesthetic, and even mechanical, variations are possible without affecting the fine profile of the case, which measures barely 7.80 mm and 39 mm in diameter. With an autonomy of 42 hours, the movement has an off-centre micro-oscillating weight in platinum 950 to guarantee its inertia. Indicating the hours, minutes and small seconds, the graphite or white grained dial displays its twelve time zone indexes with understated grace. The principle behind its sophistication a fundamental beauty, both feminine and timeless.

The movement offers the finest haute horlogerie finishes you would expect from Parmigiani Fleurier, and ones which very few brands would apply to such a mechanism. The nickel silver main plate is sand-blasted, circular-grained and then rhodium-plated. The bridges are sand-blasted, drawn out or “Côtes de Genève” decorated, then bevelled by hand and, finally, rhodium-plated. Also note the attractive finish of each wheel, bevelled, sunk, circular-grained on both faces, then gilded before cutting.