Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Métropolitaine aventurine and Tonda Sélène MOP (mother-of-pearl)
The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Métropolitaine aventurine and the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Sélène MOP (mother-of-pearl) are two new creations from the high-end watch company based in the Val-de-Travers. Both models are blessed with prepossessing looks, sublime automatic movements and bezels set with internally flawless diamonds.
Since it was established in 1996, Parmigiani Fleurier has repeatedly shown that beauty and mechanical virtue are not mutually exclusive.
The brand is synonymous with elegant proportions. Each curve, straight line and contour exhibits an extraordinary empathy for its neighbouring components. With his near-obsessive fixation on the golden ratio, Michel Parmigiani has always ensured every element of a Parmigiani Fleurier watch sits in concert, concluding in a harmonious outcome.
Furthermore, Parmigiani Fleurier has always recognised the importance of mechanical excellence. Each movement is refined to the highest order, encompassing exalted finishing, free from compromise. For example, the Calibre PF310, an automatic movement launched in 2014, is at the heart of the Tonda Métropolitaine aventurine, a new model for this year. The oscillating weight is formed of 22-carat solid gold and adorned with grain d’orge motif. The bridges are embellished with Côtes de Genève rayonnantes and golden engraved text, while many other surfaces are enriched with perlage.
Beyond the finishing of the Calibre PF310, the movement features an array of other refinements. Two barrels harness the energy from the motion of the wearer’s wrist. The resultant power reserve is 50 hours. More importantly, by employing two series-coupled barrels rather than using a single barrel, the force serving the escapement is more consistent, helping to maintain the amplitude of the balance and, by default, augmenting precision. The movement features a free-sprung balance, delivering superior precision when compared to the more commonly-used index-adjusted balance. The rate of the movement is adjusted by altering the balance’s moment of inertia. Parmigiani Fleurier has chosen to use massellotes, set in-board, to alter the moment of inertia. Unlike a screwed balance, the approach taken by Parmigiani Fleurier helps mitigate air turbulence, again aiding precision.
The Tonda Sélène mother-of-pearl is equipped with the Calibre PF318 which shares much in common with the Calibre PF310, however, it sets aside the small seconds display and is endowed with both date and moon-phase indications.
Both watches feature gem-set bezels and, consistent with the Maison’s exalted standards, they are of finest quality, classified as ‘Internally Flawless’.
Once again, Parmigiani Fleurier demonstrates that a beautiful appearance and a brilliant mind can happily coexist in one composition or, in this instance, two.
The brand’s press release
Refined yet understated, the new Tonda embodies every aspiration of the modern woman, making each moment of the day unique. Reflecting today’s multicultural and multifaceted society, this new line of timepieces, with its variety of dials, functions and diameters, is an ode to diversity and features luxury codes which are undeniably feminine and utterly universal. Faithful to its history, Parmigiani Fleurier appeals to all women, from Asia to the Americas, via Europe and Africa, in all the greatest cities of the world.
From the choice of the most refined materials to the painstaking work required to create the horological elements, the greatest diligence has been applied to every phase of its design. The play of light – showcasing the different diamond cuts, combined with the sidereal reflections of the aventurine or the golden lacework delicately applied over the mother-of-pearl – has been engineered to ensure that each of these unique spectacles is a triumph at every turn. And if this were not enough, a moon phase indicator adds to the poetry on every one of the dials. In addition to its haute horlogerie expertise, Parmigiani Fleurier once again demonstrates its skill in working the most delicate of natural materials.
Spearheading this line are the Tonda Métropolitaine aventurine 36 mm and the Tonda Sélène mother-of-pearl 36 mm; exquisitely refined timepieces which perfectly reflect the everyday elegance of the modern woman, celebrating every moment of her life.
The Tonda Métropolitaine aventurine is equipped with the PF310 proprietary automatic movement with a gold oscillating weight, and features a 36 mm diameter case paired with a bezel set with 46 IF diamonds totalling 1.8 ct. IF stands for “Internally Flawless” and designates one of the highest grades possible on the clarity scale: that of a pure diamond seen under x10 magnification. The aventurine dial of this timepiece evokes the twinkling of a clear night sky, with each of the copper inclusions illustrating the rich glow of starlight. The skeletonised hour and minute hands are shaped like sage leaves, and the small seconds hand is set at six o’clock. A blue sapphire cabochon adorns the crown. An Indigo Blue Hermès alligator strap completes this luxurious watch.
Shimmering mother-of-pearl takes pride of place on the dial of the Tonda Sélène mother-of-pearl. This rose gold timepiece also adopts a diameter of 36 mm. Set with 46 IF diamonds totalling 1.8 ct, its bezel encircles a white mother-of-pearl dial set with gold indices. Fine gold lacework allows iridescent hints of mother-of-pearl to be glimpsed in its centre. Driven by the manufacture PF 318 automatic calibre with a gold oscillating weight, this timepiece has leaf-shaped luminescent hands, a moon phase indicator at twelve o’clock, and a small seconds hand at six o’clock. A white opal cabochon decorates the crown of this watch, while an Etoupe Hermès calfskin strap echoes the colours adopted by this new timepiece.
The line is completed by 3-hand Tonda Métropolitaine mother-of-pearl and Tonda Sélène aventurine versions, available with a 36 mm case, with all versions available with a 33 mm case and a bezel set with 60 diamonds totalling 0.8 ct.
There have always been close links between the art of the jeweller and watchmaker. Parmigiani Fleurier has been able to draw extensive knowledge from its restoration of numerous pieces made from the most precious of materials. One such example was a hunter case watch dating from 1920 and taken from the Maurice Sandoz Collection. Its case-back with reddish-orange enamel on guilloché, and its ring and crown, both set with diamonds, have been painstakingly studied within the manufacture’s workshop. It is this expertise that has contributed to the creation of the new Tonda.
Further reading