Parmigiani - Up, Up and Away!

I mentioned at the end of the first part of this series that, "Parmigiani Fleurier searched, found and commissioned an innovative promotional 'tool' to both advertise and re-enforce their brand values . . . and which manages to provide a great deal of fun as well!" Presenting the new Parmigain Fleurier hot-air balloon.

I was very fortunate recently to be invited to witness the launch of the balloon and to check out its performance in the Swiss Alps. Well somebody had to do it!

I am pleased to report – with the smile still on my face- that Parmigiani put the same effort and excellence into having fun as they put into their watches.

A couple of years ago they thought that hot-air ballooning might provide an excellent mix of something that was: different, enjoyable, peaceful, close to nature and be effective promotionally. After looking through the following images, I think that you may agree - that they got 5 out of 5!

While ballooning imposes its own relaxed rhythm, it stll demands rigorous control, faultless precision and technical mastery; very similar to the qualities needed in making a fine timepiece.

Dipping a toe in the water last year, Parmigiani invited clients and selected journalists to a few International Ballooning events. This was a success for all concerned and a meeting with long time balloonist and professional long-haul pilot Nancy Thomas, resulted in Parmigiani Fleurier pulling their toe out of the water and jumping right in. They commissioned their own balloon, signed on Nancy Thomas as official pilot and brand spokes (wo)man and took to the air.

The Parmigiani balloon was launched recently at Château d’Oex (near Gstaad), Switzerland. This was the first meeting of the year of the International Hot-Air Balloon Festival program and Parmigiani were the principle sponsors of this nine-day event.

The Parmigaini balloon will also travel to similar events in the Loire valley (France) in May 20th-28th, Bristol (UK) in August 5th-13th, and Albuquerque (USA) in October 6th-15th. These events are truly spectacular and I highly recommend going to see one if you possibly can.

Château d’Oex is a magic place for ballooning and it is not only the spectacular beauty of the snow-covered Swiss Alps that makes it so special.

Most major international ballooning festivals take place over flatter countryside. While this makes navigation and landing easier, experienced balloon pilots love Château d’Oex for the challenge the mountains present.

The valley has its own micro-climate ensuring a high percentage of days with favourable weather.

Then there is the season . . . winter and all that snow. To fly, hot-air balloons need a difference in temperature of approximately 50°C (120F) between the air inside the balloon and the air exterior. The warmer the weather, the hotter the air inside the balloon needs to be.

The envelope is generally constructed of rip-stop nylon which degrades with heat. The hotter the air, the shorter the life of the balloon. This is the reason most flights in warm areas generally take place in the early morning.

As the temperature in Château d’Oex is rarely much above freezing, flights can take place all day - weather permitting of course.

Talk about a room with a view!

But we are not here just to have fun . . . honest! The real reason we are here is to check out Pamiginai Fleurier's new watch collection for the ladies, so without further ado please. . .

* Click here for Part Three : Five Women, Five Moments, Five Styles.

*Warning Gentlemen: allowing your wife, girlfriend, mother, sister or daughter
to view 'Part Three' is likely to be very damaging to your financial health!

or

Click here for Part One: Introduction.