Parmigiani and The Montreux Jazz Festival 2013

As the main sponsor of the Montreux Jazz Festival for the seventh consecutive year, Parmigiani Fleurier is now more committed than ever to an ambitious joint project which confirms the close relationship between two artistic fields of excellence: Music and Haute Horlogerie.

Special edition Kalpa automatic watches Ten watches - five Kalpa Grande and five Kalpa XL models - specially designed for this edition and bearing the stamp "Montreux Jazz Festival 2013" will be presented to artists chosen by the Festival's organizers. In bold royal blue with a black Hermes alligator strap for the men's model and steel blue with a white Hermes leather strap for the ladies' model, the dial is inspired by the festival poster in line with tradition. The vibrant, arresting poster in the naive style features eight characters engaged in a lively jam session, and is the work of Oscar Oiwa, whose aim was to depict "people from all over". Based on an idea discussed by Claude Nobs and Mathieu Jaton during a trip to Kawasaki last November, the Japanese artist has captured the spirit of an international event whose lifeblood is nourished by the many and varied cultures of the people it brings together.

Christened by Quincy Jones the "Rolls Royce of music festivals", the history of the Montreux Jazz Festival and Parmigiani Fleurier is a real love story. Dating back to 2007, the joint project, which exploits two fields of expertise and is in constant development, is much more than a partnership. A VIP area covering more than 90 m2 enables the manufacture to invite guests to enjoy unique social events throughout the festival in a superbly decorated space offering spectacular views of the lake.

Once the concerts are over, they are able to meet the artists the Brand calls its friends. Among the faithful are the brilliant guitarist John McLaughlin and musician and composer Andre Manoukian.

With a clear presence on the Montreux Jazz Festival site, the brand has from the outset been a partner of the famous Montreux Jazz Cafés located at Geneva and Zurich International Airports, as well as Harrods in London, with new cafés set to open at the Gare de Lyon in Paris and the Lausanne Federal Institute of Technology. Parmigiani Fleurier has contributed to the success of these lounges, which enchant lovers of high-quality music — jazz in particular — and fine cuisine. Spaces that serve to echo the spirit of Montreux throughout the year.

In keeping with tradition, the Parmigiani hot air balloon will be on site from the 5th to the 20th July, bearing the Brand's colours and carrying artists and guests alike on breathtaking journeys through the skies above the festival.
Now presided over by Mathieu Jaton, a close friend of Claude Nobs for fifteen years, the 47th edition promises to be a memorable experience, thanks to both its programme and its brand new architecture, to use the unequivocal term chosen to describe the changes. The Montreux Jazz Club adds an extra touch of style to the Festival, allowing music lovers and purists to share unforgettable experiences with some of the biggest names in jazz.

A brand new interactive platform, the Montreux Jazz Lab, will offer "a melting pot of audiovisual experiences" in a space open from 8 pm to 5 am. The quays, which have been completely remodelled by architects from Bureau A, will evoke the origins of jazz. An allusion to black American music in Rue Emery, which has been renamed Jazz Strip, not forgetting appearances from the headline acts, most of whom will play in the Stravinski Auditorium.

Parmigiani Fleurier plays an active role in the search for new talent. This is illustrated by its involvement in the Parmigiani Montreux Jazz Piano Solo Competition, the final of which takes place on the 6th July. Organized since 1999 by Claude Nobs, this competition, which attracts dozens of young jazz pianists from all over the world, provides the winner with the opportunity to make a record and play at numerous events, including the 2014 Festival. The winner will also receive a Parmigiani Kalpa Grande or Kalpa XL timepiece specially designed for the occasion.