New Release: Parmigiani Fleurier’s 25th Anniversary Tonda PF Introduces Four New Integrated-Bracelet Watches
It’s the 25th anniversary of Parmigiani Fleurier, and the Val-de-Travers independent is celebrating in a big way. A total of seven new watches are being introduced, including three models in two different materials and a very special limited edition split-seconds chronograph. Variety is key here, as Parmigiani has all bases covered with these new releases. Starting with an ultra-thin two-hand time watch with a simple date complication and a micro-rotor movement. The brand is also launching a chronograph and an annual calendar. All four new models come on a nicely constructed integrated bracelet and feature a number of dial colors and textures.
The Tonda family receives a whole new line of watches in celebration of the brand’s 25th anniversary. All models share some common DNA and features, but could not be more different in terms of complication. The three base models are available in both a solid 18kt gold, and stainless steel with a 950 platinum bezel.
… The use of platinum for the bezel provides a more distinguished shine and feel …
The bezels on all of these models have a polished facet and a hand-finished knurled edge around the outer edge. Parmigiani explains that the use of platinum for the bezel provides a more distinguished shine and feel, and elevates the look of the steel pieces. Elegant skeleton hands sweep over the dial, made out of solid gold, they are a perfect match for the refined look of these watches.
Subtlety is key
Texture also plays a key role in Parmigiani Fleurier’s novelties. The dials on all of these pieces are decorated with an extremely fine Grain d’Orge guilloché pattern. It has been executed in an extremely subtle fashion, not too subtle where it is lost to the eye of the wearer, but not so glaringly obvious as to compromise the elegance of these pieces. Two more elements that add to the refined look of these new releases are the “PF” logo at 12 o’clock and the satin-finished tapering bracelet. In either steel or solid 18kt gold depending on the model. The bracelets are slim, comfortable, and have an integrated design, adding to the already sleek design of the watches.
Tonda PF Micro-Rotor
The first of the four new models is the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor. Not only does this model feature an impressively decorated movement with a micro-rotor, but it also comes in an ultra-slim case design. Coming in at just 7.8mm thick, it’s the slimmest of the lot. It also wears extremely comfortably on the wrist. Speaking of the movement, the caliber PF703 is a new version of Parmigiani Fleurier’s go-to workhorse.
Both slim and nicely finished, the PF703 drives two hands …
With automatic winding thanks to the aforementioned micro-rotor, the movement is only 3mm thick. This is thanks to the fact that the rotor is integrated into the movement, instead of sitting above it. Both slim and nicely finished, the PF703 drives two hands, which indicate hours and minutes as well as a color-matched date wheel, visible through the window at 6 o’clock on the dial.
Tonda PF Chronograph
Things get sporty with the second addition to Parmigiani’s Tonda lineup. Sand-blasted tracks outline the sub-dials and help them stand out from the delicate guilloché texture of the dial. A classic 3-6-9 layout for the sub-dials, paired with the Parmigiani Fleurier logo at the top of the dial, makes for a perfectly balanced layout. A well-executed date window at 4:30 on the dial (not something I normally enjoy) can be forgiven, as the date shown through it is perfectly horizontal with the dial, and does not appear in an awkward angle as is often the case. Blue is the color of choice for these sportier models, and a rather inspired one at that, as the dark powder blue tone used complements the gold case beautifully.
Inside the 42mm case the 5Hz column-wheel PF070 movement powers the chronograph. In this model’s movement, along with the upcoming annual calendar, we find a newly designed, solid 22kt rose gold rotor weight. Its skeletonized design allows you to appreciate the gorgeous movement below it. Featuring a PF-logo medallion, it makes for an elegant touch to the already lovely movement. One last detail to note with the chronograph is the fact that the pushers, which can often be a make-or-break element, and beautifully integrated into the lugs, perfectly complementing the case profile.
Tonda PF Annual Calendar
Keeping things sporty, but stepping up the game in terms of complication, the annual calendar model is a contemporary take on a classic complication. With this model, it’s all about Parmigiani Fleurier’s caliber PF339. It offers a 122-year moon phase, with a double display for the northern and southern hemispheres. On top of that, retrograde date, day, and month are on display on the warm gray dial.
… void the typically busy look of an annual calendar …
The open-work hands play a key role here, as they allow for perfect legibility of the annual calendar no matter the time of day. The overall design, including the pointer date indication around the other edge of the dial, avoid the typically busy look of an annual calendar, keeping things simple and giving the watch a modern refined look.
Tonda PF Split Seconds Chronograph
Here it is! The piece de resistance of the new collection. Limited to 25 pieces as a nod to the brand’s 25th anniversary, the full-platinum watch is a feast for the eyes. Even the dial is made of platinum and is given a fine sandblasted finish. Rose gold hands for the minute and hour registers, as well as for the primary central chronograph contrast nicely with the silvery-white platinum backdrop. The running seconds hand, and the second central chronograph hand, as well as the time-telling central hour and minute hands, have a matching platinum finish. The minute track used for the pointer date in the annual calendar model gives way to a tachymeter scale.
Flipping the watch over reveals the crown-jewel of this collection, Parmigiani Fleurier’s top-of-the-line caliber PF361. Its mainplate and bridges are made of solid 18-karat rose gold, beautifully beveled, satin-finished, and skeletonized. The hand-winding caliber powers the integrated high-frequency chronograph, with a split-seconds function. This stunning complication makes it possible to time two events simultaneously. The pushers are equally integrated into the sleek design of the case as they are in the standard chronograph model. I’m sure you’ve seen just how special this movement is just from the images. But looks alone don’t cut it, this movement has received a GPHG award.
Final thoughts
This collection represents a step in the right direction for the brand, they have created a contemporary collection that covers a wide spectrum of Haute Horology complications. The modern design borrows from the brand’s young DNA and shows maturity and ambition well beyond its years. We all know that it isn’t easy to stand tall in a horological world of giants, whose history extends into the centuries, but Parmigiani Fleurier shows that it is not afraid to reach for the top, and walk alongside the industry’s legends, offering their own take with plenty of value and ambition to back it.
The live experience (courtesy of Lex)
Perfect proportions, exactly the right color and superb movements have always been Parmigiani essentials. Nothing changed with the Tonda PF. The two-hander is an especially outstanding piece of subtle horology. It’s slim, it’s refined, and the soldered lugs that were meticulously finished before putting them on the case are the best in the industry, IMHO. But the things that are new make a big impact.
The initials are classy and clever move to steer away from questions about the name …
The absence of the full name on the dial is smart. No one will ever mistake your watch for a freebie you got with your cheese. The initials are classy and clever move to steer away from questions about the name, and in the direction of the watch itself. And it is a watch that sits on the wrist like a dream. Not too tall, not too long, and while the bracelet might look familiar, it’s actually a completely newly engineered work of functional art.
It’s thinner than previous versions and more graceful in pretty much every way. The finishing is smart and takes the aesthetic to a new level of refinement. Thanks to that additional thinness, it flows from the case in a more elegant fashion. Simply put, it is an excellent concept realized through sublime execution.
Prices for the watches in the Tonda collection start at $22,900 for the micro-rotor model in steel and range up to $77,500 for the annual calendar in rose gold. The price for the all-platinum limited edition split-seconds chronograph is $171,600. For more information on the new releases as well as other models, visit the Parmigiani Fleurier website here.
