Parmigiani Fleurier was born out of founder Michel Parmigiani’s passion for watchmaking, classical culture, the observation of nature and his experience in restoring the world’s most sophisticated timepieces. In 1996, his fervour horology gave rise to a new brand, credo, and aesthetic, and 25 years later, Parmigiani Fleurier has turned a new leaf. A fresh, contemporary timepiece collection, the Tonda PF, renews the brand’s enduring devotion to bringing sense and beauty into the world through watches. Heeding the watchmaking excellence of the older days while ushering in a modern perspective, the Tonda PF collection sets a new milestone in haute horology for the brand.
Celebrating the Parmigiani Fleurier’s unbridled success in becoming one of the globe’s most coveted watchmakers over the last quarter-century, the new collection radiates excellence from every element. From the chic new positioning of the PF logo at 12 o’clock to the intricate Grain d’Orge guilloché dial pattern, integrated lustrous bracelets and the gorgeously oval faces, the watches have been carefully crafted to meet the exacting standards of purists in search of a premium timepiece.
An entirely new collection of pieces in the already favoured Tonda Collection, the Tonda PF watches have been built around the most iconic in-house movements of the Maison and are available in steel with a platinum hand-knurled bezel or entirely crafted in 18-carat rose gold. All are water-resistant to 100m and have screw-down crowns. For added depth, the appliqués are double-framed and the indexes of each timepiece are set across two levels of the dial. Complex yet refined, sporty yet perfectly restrained in design, this quartet of watches gives rise to a new age of Parmigiani Fleurier distinction. At the pinnacle of the collection is a limited-edition, all-platinum Split-seconds Chronograph.
With only 25 of these beauties made, exclusivity is guaranteed. Intricate, luxurious, striking – this is what defines the Tonda PF split-seconds chronograph. Its case, bracelet and dial are crafted from platinum, while its open-worked, satin-finished and bevelled main plate and bridges are made from 18-carat rose gold. On the front side, white- and yellow-gold hands beautifully partition the indications, while the dial boasts a sand-blasted finish. This interplay of colours and textures paired with a striking lustre and sheen make this timepiece a visual sensation.
Its movement is equally as impressive as its semblance, powered by the Caliber PF361, a new version of the manufacturer’s most premier engine, the award-winning ChronOr. But its allure doesn’t end there. The epitome of the brand’s ability to blend tradition with modernity is further showcased by the watch’s integrated high-frequency (5Hz) split-seconds chronograph, allowing accurate timekeeping of two events beginning simultaneously, down to a tenth of a second. This makes it the perfect partner for timekeeping at exciting events, like horse or car races.
Next in line is the 42mm Tonda PF Annual Calendar, a watch that transcends the aesthetics thus far associated with Parmigiani Fleurier’s annual calendar movement. Built with the Calibre PF339, the watch details not only a retrograde date, day and month, but also shows the 122-year moon phase as visible in both hemispheres. Positioned on top of the usual time-telling hands, it presented a challenge to the watch’s very design language, which was overcome with great success. The watch’s guilloché dial is warm grey and showcases an elaborate but still refined layout. Discreetly outlined counters are met with the in-tone date on the minute track to round off its pared-back appearance.
Possessing its own sense of harmony, the Tonda PF Chronograph houses a stellar automatic movement – a 5Hz, integrated chronograph calibre with a column wheel, storing a power reserve of 62 hours. It features a new open-worked oscillating weight in 22-carat rose gold with a central PF logo medallion and hallmark-teardrop pushers seamlessly integrated into the design.
Breaking from tradition, the Tonda PF Micro-Rotor is a dual-hand timepiece with a date positioned at 6 o’clock. The black rectangular date window completes a congruous colour palette, complemented by the hour and minute hands in platinum. Its true beauty shines as the most simple watch of the collection, with a delicate back revealing a 3Hz movement with 48 hours of power reserve. With a compact case, ultra-slim 3mm engine and warm grey, matte guilloché dial, this classic take on a luxury sports timepiece is a timeless addition to any outfit.
All Tonda PF timepieces speak first and foremost to their owner and wearer. On point, extensive and highly studied details build up to a harmonious end result, which endows the whole Tonda PF collection with astute contemporary elegance. Not in an ornamental manner. This is not a conspicuous object of luxury. This is the incarnation of a culture of savoir-faire that addresses a particular crowd, able to recognize its sense of refinement.
As Guido Terreni, CEO of Parmigiani Fleurier eloquently sums up: “We have conceived the Tonda PF for the watchmaking purists of tomorrow. An uncompromising crowd of a select few, seeking personal hedonistic pleasure, who are savvy in watchmaking, appreciate sartorial craft on their timepieces, and have a strong sense of style and refinement.”
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To find out more about Parmigiani Fleurier and the Tonda PF collection, visit the brand’s website, Instagram profile or Facebook page.