Michel Parmigiani began his career as a watchmaker opening his own watch workshop in Couvet, Switzerland in 1976.  By 1980 his name and reputation as a talented watchmaker lead him to maintain the collection of Edouard and Maurice Sandoz who encouraged him to create his own watch brand as he serviced their collection.   Parmigiani Fleurier was started in 1996 in Val-de-Travers, Switzerland.  By 1999 they released their first timepiece and it sold well.  The brand continued to grow releasing new model almost yearly all while building a reputation for excellent timepieces.