It all began in 2009, when Federico Fiorillo wanted to realise a small batch of limited production timepieces for a group of friends and fellow collectors. Beginning with the first, the 1895, using new old stock Hamilton movements, it was a collection with planned production of 77 pieces.

As an Italian watchmaker, special attention is paid to the dial, similar to what Panerai does with their sandwich dials. Temporanea Manifattura Fiorillo found artisans to produce their 1895 dials with traditional instruments in a process of double printing: one for the aesthetics and the other, the hand applied LumiNova numerals.

 

Even engraving work is completed with manual engraving machines and while handmade production has its drawbacks, Temporanea Manifattura Fiorillo used it as an opportunity to create highly individualised timepieces with three different dials, two different cases, two different sapphire crystals and different hour and minute hands, the first prototype was eventually produced in February 2010 with series production beginning in March.

Using an eclectic hodge-podge of vintage Hamilton and Elgin movements, on occasion, the modern Swiss Unitas 6497-1, the founding philosophy of  Temporanea Manifattura Fiorillo lay in the appreciation of movements with heritage flair and simple architecture, it’s this respect for heritage and ancestry that one begins to understand the deeper meaning behind 1895 – Federico’s commemoration of his late grandfather, 1918, the date of his birth and 1995, the date of his passing.

Italian Watchmaking: Temporanea Manifattura Fiorillo 3882 AUTOMATICO PVD

Today, collections like Fiorillo’s 3882 Automatico PVD are produced only when a minimum of 99 names are acquired thus ensuring good purchasing price for the components. Combining Italian design and craftsmanship with the finest Swiss traditions, the latest from Temporanea Manifattura Fiorillo comes in either 42mm stainless steel ASI316L or Marine bronze ASTM C95800 and is water resistant to 10ATM (100 metres).

Within beats either a 42 hour power reserve Soprod A10-2 Automatic or ETA 2824-2. [Pre-Order Temporanea Manifattura Fiorillo 3882 Automatico PVD here]