In October 2009 the popular Swiss magazine l’Hebdo and their off-shoot Montres Passion sponsored a competition for a series of awards for 2009. Parmigiani Fleurier’s Pershing Astéria watch was awarded the highly coveted title of Watch of the Year 2009, as voted for by the public. Founded in 1996, this award confirms the Parmigiani brand’s rapidly growing reputation as a master producer of fine, handcrafted timepieces.
The Pershing Astéria was created in 2008 to mark the partnership between Pershing, the Italian yacht manufacturer, and Parmigiani Fleurier. The watch is one model of the Pershing collection, a series of sporty timepieces specifically designed with the ocean and the world of yachting in mind.
Having been awarded the Prix du Public 2009, the Pershing Astéria is testament to the success of this collection as a whole, launched just over a year ago.
The watch has a number of original features and design details that draw their inspiration from the ocean. The case and bracelet is made using white gold, with a mother of pearl, blue dial. The chronograph hand is decorated with a small stylised octopus at one end. The small second hand is a starfish which rotates in time with the seconds. These design elements are intended to reflect the deep, crystal-clear water of the ocean, and the relationship between Parmigiani Fleurier and Pershing.
The watch is water resistant to 100 metres, and it also has all the usual characteristics found in the Pershing diving chronograph models.
