Just released is this Parmigiani Hijri Perpetual Calendar watch, the brands first wristwatch to track the Islamic lunar calendar. I say wristwatch because there have been at least some pocket watches featuring the complication that were restored by Michel Parmigiani himself, though I imagine there arent many, as one of them was a Gregorian calendar that was done in Arabic and given to a king. This restoration work inspired Parmigiani to create a Hijri calendar table clock back in 2011. Its hard to think of another example of a watch with a new complication being introduced that doesnt market itself to or make concessions for the Western or Chinese market at all.I spoke with Davide Traxler, CEO of Parmigiani, about the Hijri Perpetual Calendar watch and wasnt surprised to learn that the Middle East isnt really a strong market at all for the brand (at least for mens watches - their womens watches are considerably more popular in the region). This is easily understood once one considers the fact that the lions share of Parmigiani watches are done with gold cases or have gold in the movements. Its forbidden in Islam for men to wear yellow or red gold, however, platinum is allowed, which is what the Hijri Perpetual Calendar is done in. Parmigiani goes further to state that there is no gold found anywhere on the case or movement of the watch. Presented in the classic Tonda case measuring 44.5mm wide with those recognizable teardrop lugs and delta-shaped hands, the slate dial of the Parmigiani Hijri Perpetual Calendar is all done in beautiful Arabic calligraphy (with the exception of the brands name at 12 oclock and Swiss Made at 6 oclock).The Hijri Calendar consists of twelve 12, which is denoted at the subdial between 4 and 5 oclock. Each of the names of the twelve months is done in white, other than the ninth month which is Ramadan and is done in a bright red. Depending on the phase of the moon, each month varies between 29 or 30 days, and so any given year can vary by a difference of -10 to -12 days. The subdial between 8 and 9 oclock is the date indicator that goes to 30 and has a small dot indicator that shows whether it is currently a 29 or 30 day month.The Islamic Calendar has a 30-year cycle with 11 leap years of 355 days and 19 years of 354 days. At 12 oclock is the subdial that indicates the year of the cycle with the leap years in orange-colored numerals and the standard common years marked by white dots. Considering this a lunar calendar, there is obviously a moon phase indicator. Located at 6 oclock, the moon phase is done in aventurine. Id like to see this in person, but it looks pretty beautiful in the press shots. The movement is a modified version of the 48-hour power reserve calibre PF 332 with the rotor done in blacked platinum. Though the images dont fully convey it, the bridges are allegedly done to adopt the shape of waxing and waning crescent moons. There are also design nods to the Rub el Hizb, which is an Islamic geometric symbol composed of two overlapping squares with a circle in the center.The Parmigiani Hijri Perpetual Calendar comes on a black alligator Hermes strap. Buyers will also be able to customize the watch to their wishes when it comes to things like gemstones and colors. Its not a limited edition, but production is going to be understandably low, and I believe there will only be 40 pieces in the initial run. The Parmigiani Hijri Perpetual Calendar is priced at $80,000. You can learn more at parmigiani.com. [...]