In Château d’Oex in 2005, the Parmigiani Fleurier brand celebrated its first participation in an international hot-air balloon competition, thereby inaugurating its new sponsoring activity in this discipline.





Since then, Parmigiani Fleurier has opted for a total commitment to its passion for airborne adventure by becoming “presenting sponsor” of the most eagerly awaited winter event in Switzerland which is recognised worldwide for the extreme complexity of its flights: the Château d’Oex international hot-air balloon festival.
Wishing to make the most effective possible contribution to the international renown of this competition and of aerostatic sport in general, Parmigiani Fleurier is particularly delighted that this week should be flying the brand colours.
For nine days, the public will be offered a dense and varied programme of demonstrations and free flights open to all-comers. As the first stage of the international season, Château d’Oex is becoming increasingly popular and attracting tens of thousands of visitors.
Present throughout this 28th edition, the brand has also chosen the enchanting setting of the snowing peaks of the Pays d’Enhaut region to celebrate the launch of the first Parmigiani Fleurier hot-air balloon. On Saturday January 21st 2006, it will take its maiden flight under the masterful guidance of Ms. Nancy Thomas, official pilot of the Parmigiani Fleurier hot-air balloon.


PARMIGIANI WORLD TOUR 2006

At the close of this week, the “Parmigiani World Tour 2006” will continue around the world’s finest international ballooning competitions, providing all the special features so greatly enjoyed by the public.

The TROPHÉE FRANÇOIS 1ER (May 20th to 28th 2006) confers an exclusive and particularly prestigious dimension to the international hot-air balloon calendar, since it is the only competition enabling the balloons to take off directly from the private gardens of the finest castles along the Loire river.

The BRISTOL INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA (August 5th to 13th 2006) is Europe’s largest balloon festival. Known as the capital of aerostatics, Bristol hosts over a hundred balloons competing in each edition, admired by more than 500,000 spectators. Also famous for its know-how in the production of hot-air balloons, Bristol is still extremely active in this field. Parmigiani Fleurier indeed chose one of the major companies in the region to make its hot-air balloon.

The Albuquerque INTERNATIONAL BALLOON FIESTA (October 6th to 15th 2006) is the closing even in the Parmigiani Fleurier World Tour 2006. This world-famous venue regularly welcomes over thirty nations taking part in this huge gathering made up of over 700 balloons and 900 pilots. Greatly appreciated in the United States, this event that draws media coverage across the continent, is widely broadcast abroad and attracts almost one million visitors, has become the world’s most widely photographed show. Famed for its winds, the Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta provides a truly breathtaking sight, with hot-air balloons flying over the magnificent scenery of New Mexico, above volcanoes and mountain chains.


NANCY THOMAS, OFFICIAL PARMIGIANI FLEURIER PILOT:

Nancy P. Thomas (born in Pensacola, Florida, USA), professional airline pilot (on A300 and soon A380 aircraft) for an American airline company, has also been a hot-air balloonist since 1984. For this personality passionately dedicated to aeronautics (she took her first flying lessons at the age of 14) and sailing, the hot-air balloon became the ideal point of encounter between these two sciences. As official Parmigiani Fleurier pilot since 2005, she takes part in the world’s major hot-air balloon competitions.


THE REASONS BEHIND A PASSION:

Entirely in harmony with Parmigiani Fleurier timepieces, prized for the excellence and authenticity of their craftsmanship, hot-air ballooning is the only activity that still offers all the magic of exploration. In complete osmosis with nature and entirely dependent on the elements, this silent discipline calls for rigorous control, faultless precision and technical mastery. It imposes its own rhythm, rendering the notion of time extremely relative. Both representing fabulous human adventures, the conquest of the skies and of the finest traditional Swiss watchmaking meet and mingle in this sphere where passion and dreams remain intact.





Source : Parmigiani Fleurier

www.parmigiani.com