Meet the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronographs

The stainless steel and 18ct rose gold versions of the new Tonda PF Chronograph from Parmigiani Fleurier add a fresh new take to the already-popular Tonda watch collection. The new sub-series even boasts a brand-new logo to signify a quarter of a century of Parmigiani Fleurier manufacture.

The new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF watch collection is the start of something pretty exciting. The manufacturer is approaching its 25th anniversary since Michel Parmigiani founded the brand back in 1996. The collection not only offers a fresh new take on the popular Tonda design but inaugurates a new brand logo that is showcased on the front of the dials and the surface of the movement’s rotor, viewable from the back of the watch. Revered for its high-end watchmaking, the company has been producing handsome and rugged sports watches, some of them quite complex, for nearly a quarter of a century and so the four new models signify the embarking of a new chapter for the prestigious brand. The four different variations of the new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF watch collection include a time and date model with a micro-rotor, an annual calendar, a chronograph and a platinum split-second chronograph. In this article, we’ll be looking at the chronograph models. There’s one in an 18ct rose gold version and one in a stainless steel version. But firstly, an overview of what Parmigiani Fleurier the company is all about..

Still growing in reputation, size and expertise

Parmigiani Fleurier produces some of the most intricate and detailed timepieces within the industry. To enable it to do that, it has grown in scale to take several other smaller in-house factories under its wing. These include the likes of Quadrance & Habillage who focuses separately on dials, Elwin who deals with screws, and Atokalpa who develops its own hairsprings. As a result of this growth in scope, Parmigiani Fleurier has now managed to create over 30 of its own in-house movements. Some may consider the fact that the brand has escaped mainstream success as a positive. The watches are carefully done, cleverly composed, and give the wearer a sense of exclusivity. Head of Bulgari, Guido Terreni has now joined the family and has become CEO of Parmigiani Fleurier, bringing with him some strong influences from icons such as the Octo Finissimo.

The new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronographs

There are some really nice elements to admire in the new Tonda PF chronographs. Firstly, as already mentioned, the dials feature a new logo. The double framed oval-shaped motif encases the PF initials and this logo is set vertically upon a textured dial surface. Secondly, the back of the case reveals a lavishly decorated and incredibly beautiful movement through a sapphire crystal glass exhibition feature. Thirdly, the watches come with an integrated bracelet in a matching finish to the case’s material. This gives the Tonda PF that all-important sports watch look. Lastly, the dial is composed of two layers, which we’ll touch on in a little while.

Whether you’re opting for the stainless steel variant of the new Tonda PF Chronograph or the more luxurious and opulent 18ct rose gold version – both models measure in at a 42mm diameter. This is a pretty standard size for any luxury chronograph, still, the detailed finishes on the model (the curvature of the case, the length of the hands and the size of the sub-registers) are all governed by the Fibonacci sequence -  a golden ratio that Michel Parmigiani swears by. These details make the Tonda PF Chronograph a stretch different from anything else you might find occupying this space in the market.

The dial of the new Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronograph watch is executed in a stunning "Guilloché Grain d'orge" technique, and it’s worth mentioning here that this is done to the very highest of standards. It’s unlikely that you’ll find this dial technique executed to the same level for its price point anywhere else on the market. Both dials, whether adorned with the rhodium-coloured appliques of the steel version ref: PFC915-1020001-100182 or the rose gold-coloured appliques of the ref: PFC915-2020001-200182, are finished in a stunning Milano blue colour. The chronograph functions are controlled by the satisfying click of each pusher at 2 and 4 o’clock on the model’s case. These operate the 30-minute function at 3 o’clock, the central chronograph second hand on the main dial, and the 12-hour function at 9 o’clock. There is, of course, a small second dial residing at 6 o’clock, whilst a date window is positioned between the fourth and fifth location of the hour track.

The rectangular-shaped indexes of the hour track seen in both of these Tonda PF watches, are set on top of the point where two dial levels meet. The top and recessed layers of the dial are visible under a closer eye and are surrounded by a hand-knurled bezel crafted from platinum (for the steel variation) or rose gold (for the rose gold version). Inside the 100-meter water-resistant case of the watch, Parmigiani Fleurier chooses the PF070-COSC Calibre. The self-winding engine is an integrated, high frequency, column wheel movement that features a stunning gold rotor made visible through the sapphire-backed case, along with an engraving of the new PF logo. The movement also comprises a total of 315 hand-assembled components, 42 of those being the jewels. It provides a power reserve of 65 hours whilst performing at a rate of 36,000 vibrations per hour.

For more information on the stainless steel or 18ct rose gold versions of the new Tonda PF Chronograph from Parmigiani Fleurier, you can call and speak to a member of our sales team at Jura Watches on 01335 453453 or visit the following link here.

Technical Specifications of the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Chronograph

• Case: 42mm – stainless steel / 18ct rose gold – anti-reflective sapphire crystal glass front – sapphire crystal glass exhibition caseback – 100-meter water-resistant – hand-knurled bezel
• Dial: Milano blue – rose gold/rhodium skeletonised delta hands – date window at 4:30 – rectangular hour markers – two-level dial – 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock – small seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock – 12-hour counter at 9 o’clock
• Movement: PF070 Calibre – in-house developed – self-winding - COSC-certified - integrated, high frequency, column wheel movement – minutes, hours, small seconds, date, chronograph seconds, 12-hour and 30-minute functions – 65-hour power reserve – 36,000 v.p.h – 42 jewels – 315 components
• Strap: Stainless steel / 18ct rose gold – integrated bracelet
• Price: Starts from £23,000
• References: Stainless steel: PFC915-1020001-100182 / 18ct rose gold: PFC915-2020001-200182