Parmigiani’s latest watch defies the odds with its design

A watch that's follows the golden ratio principle and displays time from the underside

By Nathan S.R Published December 5, 2024

L'Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse — L'Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse parmigiani / parmigiani

As tradition would have it, Parmigiani Fleurier always rolls out a new timepiece in December to mark the birthday of Michel Parmigiani, the founder of this luxury watch brand.

As a watch that honors Parmigiani’s vision, L’Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse’s design is based on ancient laws of nature. According to Michel Parmigiani, “In nature, every form, every pattern bears the imprint of perfection—a perfection found in the spirals of a pinecone, where the golden ratio and the Fibonacci sequence intertwine to reveal the harmony of the world.”

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The case was built per the golden ratio principle, so it comes with elements that are perfectly aligned. However, the real mystery lies in the dial. It was artistically designed to highlight geometrical patterns in a stylish manner. For instance, the fine guilloche pattern is one of the most striking features of the dial. At the center, there’s a beautiful pinecone symbol, considered to be Michel’s representation of infinity.

Unlike other watches, the L’Armoriale Répétition Mystérieuse displays time from the underside face—in reverse.

L'Armoriale Répétition Mystérie underside — L’Armoriale Répétition Mystérie underside Parmigiani / https://www.parmigiani.com/

As a result, the underside has hour markers and a minute hand for discretely displaying time. While most chronograph components are found in discrete sections, this watch comes with a minute repeater that chimes after a certain period, and each unit of time produces a unique sound.

Thanks to the in-house manual movement, this timepiece offers a 72-hour power reserve. The in-house manual movement is quite close to the gongs that produce the chimes—an effective and clever way of amplifying the sound that’s produced by the gong.

Anyone interested in the watch has to contact Parmigiani.

Former Digital Trends Contributor

Nathan has devoted his life to collecting watches, studying horology, reviewing watches, and writing about timepieces. As a…

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Fashion & Style

Casio brings back its impossibly small ring watch

Second chance: Casio's miniature ring watch returns to American market

Casio Ring Watch CRW001-1

Casio announced the US restock of its Ring Watch CRW001-1 on July 1st, bringing back the small timepiece that sold out quickly after it came out in America in late 2024. The restock follows successful lottery sales in the UK and Japan, showing that people around the world want this digital watch that goes on a finger.
The Ring Watch CRW001-1 shows Casio's bold way of looking at wearable technology—it shrinks standard digital watch functions into a ring that measures only 25.2mm across and weighs 16 grams. Even though it is small, the timepiece keeps necessary features, including support for two time zones, a stopwatch that measures 1/100th of a second, and hourly flash alerts.
Casio US confirmed the July 1st restock on Instagram, saying the watch would only be available through the brand's online store, not in physical shops. Compared to the lottery systems in other places, American customers will buy the watch in the order they arrive—this might cause a lot of competition among people who collect things and those who like technology.
The small digital screen has a backlight so you can see it in different light. The stainless steel build makes it sturdy, even though it is small. The ring fits size 22 fingers (US 10.5, EU U), and you can adjust it down to size 19 (19mm inner diameter) or size 16 (18mm inner diameter).
The engineering needed to put normal digital watch parts into a ring shape shows how well they made it. The 1/100th second stopwatch is as exact as bigger Casio watches. Travelers who want to check the time without others knowing will like the two-time zone feature.
Casio did not say the exact restock time but told interested customers to sign up for email notifications about when it would be ready. That way may help manage the internet traffic while making sure serious buyers learn about buying chances in time.
The Ring Watch's appeal shows more people are interested in other types of wearable devices, not just ones worn on the wrist. Casio's good result with this unusual approach shows that people want new watch designs that question common ideas about what a watch should look like.
The quick sellout after the US launch, along with international lottery systems, suggests that collectors are very interested and that the watch might sell for more later. Casio has not said anything about more restocks in other places after the July 1st US availability, keeping the watch special.
This restock gives American buyers a second chance to get one of the most noticeable wearable technology releases of the year, bringing together Casio's history with digital watches and its push to make things very small.

Fashion & Style

Gaming meets horology in Hamilton’s Death Stranding 2 timepiece

Hamilton's Kojima collaboration creates futuristic death stranding 2 timepiece

Hamilton Death Stranding 2 watch

Hamilton takes its first step into gaming by working with Kojima Productions to make a special watch for Death Stranding 2: On the Beach. This work shows a change from the brand's well-known movie projects, such as Interstellar, Dune: Part Two, and Indiana Jones—it represents Hamilton's initial move into interactive entertainment.
The partnership joins Hamilton with game designer Hideo Kojima, whose studio works under the motto "From Sapiens to Ludens" while reshaping interactive entertainment. Death Stranding 2 continues the science fiction story of Sam—this story happens in a post-apocalyptic place where life and death mix through emotional plots, exploration, and strange pictures.
"Hamilton was a perfect choice as a partner to design and create a product set in the near future. Please take this watch in your hands and experience the product that connects the world of the game and the real world," explains Hideo Kojima, emphasizing the bridge between virtual and physical experiences.
The American Classic Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition displays a titanium case build with black PVD treatment that draws from Hamilton's original Boulton plan. The light, rust-proof structure shows smooth, curving lines that copy the game's distinct look while holding up well.
Seven sapphire crystals form the watch's most noticeable part. One main crystal sits in the middle, and six others pair along the case, this setup creates shifting light and a science fiction feel. The crystal layout shows the game's strange design ideas while helping people read the time.
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The watch includes a three-hand automatic movement with 25 jewels and an 80-hour power reserve. A Nivachron™ balance spring offers resistance to magnetism, shock, and temperature changes—these are necessary traits for surviving tough places, both virtual and real.
Art director Yoji Shinkawa worked on the design, combining Hamilton's movie history with the game's future setting. This work shows how classic Swiss watchmaking can adapt to current entertainment forms while keeping its technical quality.
The company produced 2,000 individually numbered watches. Each watch comes with special game-themed packaging that adds to its collector appeal. The work shows Hamilton's growth past traditional cinema projects into the growing gaming entertainment area.
This release puts Hamilton at the front of watch-gaming projects while honoring both brands' dedication to creative storytelling through their respective crafts.

Fashion & Style

Grand Seiko’s claw-inspired watch costs $16,400

Angular evolution: Grand seiko's tokyo lion tentagraph features brilliant hard titanium construction

Grand Seiko Tokyo Lion

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The lion sign stays important to Grand Seiko's identity—it stands for how easy a watch is to read, how long it lasts, how comfortable it feels, and how good it looks. This symbol has been part of the brand's history since 1960. The Tokyo Lion collection turns this symbol into a bold, angular shape that copies a lion's paw through its geometric form and surface finishes.
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The chronograph buttons have a new shape—this change makes them easier to use when someone is active. The three small dials at 3, 6, and 9 o'clock look three-dimensional. A Lumibrite coating on them makes sure a person can read them in all light, from bright day to full dark.
A brown silicon rubber strap comes with the watch, it has a lion's paw design on the back that adds a subtle design touch. The strap bends easily, so it feels good to wear. The case back has a slight curve. These details make the watch comfortable to wear in many places, and the watch also holds out against water down to 200 meters.
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This Tentagraph shows Grand Seiko's continued step forward in expensive sports watches. It shows how old Japanese craftsmanship can take on modern design styles while keeping its technical lead and wearing comfort for demanding uses.