Introducing: The Parmigiani Tonda PF Sport Chronograph Rose Gold Sandstone — Silencing The Sirens
If Ulysses had worn the Parmigiani Tonda PF Sport Chronograph Rose Gold Sandstone when encountering the Sirens while sailing the Mediterranean, he wouldn’t have had to tie himself to the mast. With its luxurious presence and soft colorway, the watch on his wrist would have left the Sirens speechless and, thus, harmless. Parmigiani’s new iteration of the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph is a mythical watch that oozes relaxed Mediterranean vibes with its softly shimmering dial and textured rubber strap.
Two years ago, Parmigiani Fleurier introduced the Tonda PF Sport line. The collection is the successor to the Tonda GT product family and presents as a collection of timepieces for active leisure times rather than performance sports. The Tonda PF Sport collection debuted with the 42mm Chronograph and the 41mm time-only Automatic in steel and 18K rose gold. Since 2023, Parmigiani Fleurier has released different iterations of both models, and this summer, the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph Rose Gold Sandstone (PFC931-2020021-400182 / CHF49,000) appears.
Introducing: Parmigiani Tonda PF Sport Chronograph Rose Gold Sandstone
Before concentrating on the Siren-silencing qualities of the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph Rose Gold Sandstone’s exterior, let’s look at what’s happening inside the 18K rose gold 42 × 12.9mm case with alternating satin and polished finishes. Here beats a high-frequency automatic movement certified by the COSC (Contrôle Officiel Suisse des Chronomètres). The 288-part caliber PF070 operates at 36,000 vibrations per hour and has a power reserve of 65 hours. Through the case back’s sapphire display, you can see the skeletonized, polished, and sandblasted 22K rose gold rotor swinging. A closer look at the movement reveals satin-finished, open-worked, and beveled bridges.
The Tonda PF Sport Chronograph has versions with and without a date indicator, and the new Sandstone forgoes that indication. This is a good idea because it creates a balanced dial layout that looks exceptionally laid back in this case. This watch’s dial evokes the warmth of summer and the light of the Mediterranean by using soft sand-colored tones. There’s a lot of detailed nuance to discover on dial. Just look at the beige/sand-colored sub-dials with their dotted pattern. They sit within a silver dial showing a triangular hobail guilloché pattern. And to finish it off, there are hand-applied 18K rose gold indexes with black luminescent coating. The large open-worked hands look sharp and delicate and also show black lume.
The textured Tufo strap
The textured rubber strap bears the name Tufo. Parmigiani Fleurier says it found inspiration for it by looking at Mediterranean rocks with a unique hue. The brand felt incredibly inspired. According to Parmigiani, the strap’s presence “breathes the ease of serenity, the warmth of a South conducive to special moments. One can imagine the shores of Mare Nostrum, on the side of Sicily and southern Italy, the islands of this sea separating Europe from Africa: serene colors, light, and sunshine come together to invite inward reflection.”
Okay, I think I get it. What strikes me is that the texture of the rubber strap looks like Cordura, a technical fabric valued for its durability and structured elegance. Luckily, it isn’t made of that material because it would be impossible to keep clean. The high-quality rubber of this strap allows a visual and tactile basketweave-like effect. Luckily, the chosen material also makes it easy to keep clean; you can’t have a smudgy strap on a rose gold watch, now can you? The strap, in an off-white shade that mimics pale volcanic stone, features hand-finished saddle-style stitching and comes complete with a rose gold folding clasp. It’s a sporty and chic, casual and sophisticated combination. It befits the flowing shape of the Tonda PF Sport Chronograph’s case and the intricate Sandstone dial.
Please visit Parmigiani Fleurier’s official website for more info on the new Tonda PF Sport Chronograph Rose Gold Sandstone. And tell me if you would like to sail the Mediterranean while wearing this watch — Sirens or no Sirens?
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