An Elegant Skeletonized Watch: The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Skeleton Rose Gold In Milano Blue
Parmigiani Fleurier introduces a new 30-piece limited edition Tonda PF Skeleton Rose Gold Milano Blue. It builds upon the other four Tonda PF Skeleton configurations — Rose Gold Graphite, Steel Platinum Graphite, Platinum Milano Blue, and Steel Platinum Slate Green. Although this might seem like another version of the same thing, those who know and love Parmigiani understand that the maison doesn’t just “play with colors.” After all, this might be the most homogeneous skeleton configuration in its lineup. The Milano Blue sandblasted and satin-finished dial with hand-applied 18K rose gold indexes is just charming, which is a great word to describe the whole brand, actually. The 40mm 18K rose gold case features polished and satin finishes along with a knurled bezel, and an ARunic antireflective sapphire crystal and a display case back protect the dial and PF777 caliber inside. More on that in a bit.
I was reading Michael Stockton’s recent reflections on Parmigiani Fleurier and how every discerning person of taste in our watch bubble yearns for one of the brand’s watches. And as an unpaid, unsponsored, and unabashed PF fan, I can relate. The Tonda line represents a supremely elegant approach to the integrated-bracelet sports watch. Naturally, then, the maison wouldn’t shy away from adding complications and playing with different horological techniques. Skeletonization, as I always say, is very tricky, hit-or-miss territory. In many cases, you end up with something resembling a cheap Richard Mille ripoff. Other times, you get a complicated piece trying to show you the beautiful movement underneath. Basically, this is the brand telling you it’s proud of its engineering. That really is the case here.
An architectural design direction
Since today’s Milano Blue Tonda PF Skeleton (€109,500 / US$117,100 / £95,900 / CHF 97,000) is not an entirely new watch, similarities to other existing models are par for the course. This novelty has a 40 × 8.5mm 18K rose gold case with polished and satin finishes. Topping it is a knurled bezel. This knurling is deeply connected to Parmigiani’s design language and goes back to the brand’s early Toric watches. This is one detail that keeps the PF Tonda Skeleton unmistakably Parmigiani even after the dial has been dramatically opened up. Other than the case material, the openworked dial is the second differentiating factor of this Tonda PF Skeleton configuration.
The Milano Blue color, as well as the rose gold case, are already established within Parmigiani’s Tonda PF Skeleton collection. We have both a rose gold Graphite model and a platinum Milano Blue one. Here, the case and dial complement each other, accentuating the tones and making them feel grounded and comfortable to live with. The openworked Milano Blue dial is sandblasted and satin-finished, and above it are the iconic delta-shaped hands in 18K rose gold.
Speaking of components complementing each other, we can’t forget the polished and satin-finished integrated bracelet. In my opinion, this is the Tonda PF’s defining component. Here, I feel that it makes the skeletonization seem less obnoxious and tacky, which most skeletonized watches are, unfortunately.
The technical details we can’t overlook
The PF777 caliber is what you’re seeing through those Milano Blue bridges. Parmigiani introduced it with the original Tonda PF Skeleton in 2022, when it was specifically developed as a skeletonized automatic manufacture movement for the collection. The current catalog continues to use the PF777 across the Skeleton family. It’s an automatic 29-jewel movement with a 4Hz (28,800vph) frequency, 60-hour power reserve, 3.9mm thickness, and 192 components. The brand says the PF777 was designed from the beginning around the relationship between solid structures and open voids, preserving the caliber’s balance and volume while allowing light into its architecture. This is a huge point the maison is making with the Tonda PF Skeleton. These watches are made with the same intention an architect would dedicate to designing a building. The source material makes many references to this, and it is great to peek through the creative process of such an important maison.
Finishing is another part of the elegance I talked about earlier. The satin-finished bridges, hand-beveled throughout, establish a refined architectural framework. Their geometry allows light to circulate, settle on the edges, glide across a surface, and reveal subtle variations in texture. Finishing becomes more than decoration; it becomes a means of perception. The architecture unfolds progressively, inviting the eye to move through the movement’s layered construction, to follow its lines and gradually discover the choreography of its mechanics. Parmigiani really wants us to observe rather than consume these pieces quickly — a close look, more effort. The movement itself participates in this message. And with a sapphire crystal in the case back, the skeletonized 22K rose gold rotor isn’t just functional mass for automatic winding; it also becomes another visible architectural element.
Thoughts and takeaways
It’s always great to have the opportunity to discover and analyze a new Parmigiani Fleurier watch. Pardon my passion, but I love when a brand knows how to stay consistently excellent with not only its unique takes on typical complications but also a feeling of elegance and overall smooth presence. Now, coming back to our Tonda PF Skeleton Milano Blue, updates are necessary for every collection. This configuration, in particular, is rather warm and natural. When I first saw it, I was actually surprised that it didn’t already exist. Rose gold and Milano Blue just work. Would I take it over the Rose Gold Graphite or Platinum Milano Blue? Absolutely! Why? It’s a dress watch that scratches that horological itch. It is, of course, a heavy hitter from Parmigiani, but it still feels major because it’s what was needed.
What do you think about this rose gold and Milano Blue version? Would you take it over the other Tonda PF Skeleton models in the current catalog? And what place does Parmigiani hold in your hearts as watch enthusiasts? Dear friends, let’s chat!
