Parmigiani Fleurier Ionica Hebdomadaire 8-Days First Series Platinum Prototype Black Dial

Description

Offered here is an exceptionally rare and important early Parmigiani Ionica Hebdomadaire 8-Days Prototype in platinum, The watch was the part of the very first series ever produced. This particular timepiece holds significant historical value within the Parmigiani Fleurier lineage. It is presented with box and without papers and remains in overall good condition, showing light hairline scratches and minor dents consistent with careful wear over time. The sapphire crystal shows minimal hairline scratches, barely visible to the eye. The watch has not been polished.

Historical Background
This first series prototype has been verified by Anne-Laure Parmigiani as belonging to the very first Ionica series, produced in extremely limited quantities (exact numbers are unknown but believed to be very few). The original dial layout was conceived to emphasize the 8-day power reserve, a major innovation powered by Parmigiani’s newly developed Caliber PF110. Shortly after, the dial was redesigned to align more closely with the rest of Parmigiani’s collection.

Distinctive Prototype Features
This early Ionica prototype is distinguishable from later production models by several key design elements:
• “8 Days” Inscription Placement: On this prototype, the “8 Days” marking appears on the gold plate. In later models, this space is occupied by the “Parmigiani Fleurier” logo, with the power reserve inscription relocated beneath the indicator.
• Logo Placement: The “Parmigiani Fleurier” logo is uniquely positioned within the small seconds subdial, unlike in subsequent versions, where it appears on the gold plate.
• Caseback Crystal Design: The sapphire crystal on the caseback is slightly raised above the case body—a characteristic seen in the earliest production pieces. While not exclusive to prototypes, this raised-crystal feature is generally associated with the first series, as most later Ionicas adopted a crystal design that sits nearly flush with the case.

Movement
Visible through the exhibition caseback, the Caliber PF110 offers an exceptional 8-day (192-hour) power reserve and is beautifully finished with Côtes de Genève, anglage, and other traditional hand-decorated techniques across its bridges.

The Parmigiani Ionica Hebdomadaire debuted in 1999 with the in-house Caliber PF110, an impressive technical achievement at a time when few brands offered proprietary movements, especially ones with such a substantial power reserve. Most watchmakers during that era either modified existing calibers or relied on outsourced movements.

There are very few sources that reference the early version—among them, a Hodinkee catalogue from 1999 and sketches by Michael Parmigiani dating back to early 1997.