When King Charles met President Donald Trump at the White House yesterday, all eyes were on diplomacy. Well, almost all eyes, my eyes were on what watch King Charles III was wearing.
Charles wore his Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph — an 18-carat yellow gold automatic watch that has been his firm favourite for many years.
This is not a new choice. Charles wore the same watch on the first full day of his reign, as he attended to mourning crowds following the death of Queen Elizabeth II. He also wore it at Prince Harry’s wedding in 2018. It appeared on his wrist for his coronation in 2023.
Now it has accompanied him to the Oval Office.
The Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronograph
It’s a very classic, elegant, architectural piece. Parmigiani is not a household name like Rolex or Omega, but is a watchmaker renowned for its horological prowess.
The Toric features a double-fluted bezel inspired by the mathematical golden ratio and the base of Greco-Roman columns.
It’s a watch for people who know. And the King, certainly seems to know.
Several publications have reported that Charles purchased the watch in Klosters, the Swiss resort where the British Royal Family have long spent their winter holidays. The watch itself dates from around 2005.
As for getting hold of one yourself: the original Toric Chronograph Charles wears is no longer in production. Similar examples in rose gold can be found on the secondary market for around $25,000 / £20,000.
The latest limited-edition Toric Chronograph Rattrapante carries a retail price of CHF 140,000 (approx. $177,000) and is limited to just 30 pieces.
Does it have a deeper meaning?
The visit marked a historic moment, with Charles becoming only the second British monarch to address the United States Congress. But does the watch carry a deeper meaning? Perhaps the truest answer is the simplest one – King Charles really likes this watch.
It has accompanied him through some of the biggest moments of his life, both personal and professional. For him to keep reaching for it, year after year, is an act of loyalty to independent craftsmanship. It is, clearly, a very personal object.
Liked this? Swatch teases at a new watch collab – will this be the biggest launch since the MoonSwatch?
Read the full article here
