Tag Archives: Parmigiani

Parmigiani debuts a stone blue colour with their new Tonda PF in 950 platinum

When the Parmigiani Tonda PF collection was launched, it firmly planted a flag, making a statement that the new brand direction was all in on subtle, quiet luxury. And just when you thought that the Tonda PF collection could not get anymore pure, they went and launched the 36 mm version with no date. And it seems like Parmigiani has done it again, taking their purest form of watchmaking and giving it an even more sublime update. We are talking, no doubt, about their Tonda PF Micro-Rotor Platinum Stone Blue.

With all the stone dials being thrown about, it is easy to mistake that Parmigiani is hopping onto the bandwagon as well. However this Stone Blue actually refers to the specific shade of blue that the brand has decided to use on the dial. Since the launch of the Tonda PF collection, they have been pioneering a bunch of muted colours not commonly seen on other watches. The recently launched Sienna Gold is one of them, and if you look at their Tonda PF Hijri Calendar, the Viridian Green they use is really quite a unique shade. Even the Toric Petite Seconde with its Grey Celadon dial is entirely unique.

In this watch, the Stone Blue is set to be yet another classic for Parmigiani offering the tried and tested blue dial but with a hue that is entirely in keeping with the purity element of the Tonda PF collection. In preserving this minimalism, they have even removed the fantastic grain d’orge guilloché texture on the dial, instead opting for a simpler sand-blasted finish so the colour really the star of the show. We would have liked to see Parmigiani use the same techniques from their Toric dials which are hand-grained on this model but alas we get one that is sand blasted. Hand graining is a more appealing of course, but sand blasting will potentially mean faster production times for the watches which will perhaps result in a shorter waiting list. Regardless of the finishing technique, the watch still achieves the intended effect.

The dial does loose the texture of the grain d’orge guilloché pattern that seems to be the calling card for the Tonda PF collection but fortunately a little bit of this still remains and can be found engraved onto the micro-rotor visible through the caseback. The watch uses the same Calibre PF703 movement that offers a rotor in 950 platinum and thanks to all the bridges that are curved the gold-tone bits that peek out are quite astonishing to see.

From the name you can probably tell that the entirety of the case is made from 950 platinum which extends to the bracelet as well. Platinum is a much-loved material in watchmaking due to the soft, white-grey hue it exudes and as many owners will testify, has a much more intense shine than white gold. This subtly elegant material paired with the Stone blue of the dial is a fantastic combination and as much as it tries to hide its beauty, will definitely be identified by watch afficionados in the know.

The Tonda PF Micro-Rotor Platinum Stone Blue is priced at MYR 441,100

Meet the sportier sibling of the Tonda PF, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Sport Chronograph

If the name wasn’t already a dead giveaway that this new collection ventures into sportier territory, then I don’t know how else Parmigiani could be clearer. If you are familiar with the Parmigiani from before their current CEO, Guido Terreni’s, tenure, you will note that the Tonda PF Sport’s aesthetics seem to represent a modern revamp of their Tonda GT collection.

The most obvious difference is that the big date that was usually at the 12 o’clock position is gone, replaced by the PF insignia which is one of the identifying factors of the new Tonda PF collection. There is still a date, but now it has been relocated to the 4 o’clock position. One small detail to note is that, unlike other date windows in this position, the numerals are actually oriented vertically instead of following the date wheel’s circumference making it palatable to the more discerning watch enthusiast.

The more nuanced changes to the collection come in the form of a new knurled bezel which now has 160 incisions rather than 225. Translated to visual terms, this means the knurling is now more obvious as compared to the Tonda GT and also to the regular Tonda PF. Inversely, the hand-guilloché ‘triangular nail’ pattern is finer than that of the Tonda GT giving the dial a seemingly smoother texture which from afar almost looks like a matte finish.

 

 

A few other stand-out features of the new Tonda PF Sport, especially for the Chronograph version, are the chronograph pushers that have been cleverly integrated into the lugs which match the smooth flowing lines of the case. And of course, internally the watch is equipped with a Calibre PF070 movement which beats at an above-average frequency of 5Hz or 36,000 vph while still being able to offer a 65-hour power reserve. It is a column wheel chronograph, which is clearly visible from the transparent caseback and the function is also engaged via a vertical clutch system.

Just to be clear, according to Parmigiani Fleurier, the Tonda PF Sport is not replacing the Tonda GT, at least for now, so both versions will be sold in tandem. The Tonda PF Sport Chronograph is available in stainless steel or 18ct rose gold and there is also a Tonda PF Sport Automatic if you prefer.