The New Parmigiani Fleurier Tondagraph GT with Panda Dials

In 2020, Parmigiani Fleurier introduced the Tonda GT, a line of luxurious sports watches with integrated bracelets and the elaborate flourishes and finishings associated with the brand. Initially offered in a straightforward time-and-date (Tonda GT) and a complicated annual calendar and chronograph (Tondagraph GT), the collection was clearly primed to grow. This year, the Tonda GT line welcomes two new models with silver and black panda-style dials: a Tondagraph GT in steel with annual calendar and chronograph and a luxurious Tondagraph GT in rose gold with a sophisticated high-frequency integrated chronograph movement. Although they might look similar in passing, they are two very different beasts.

Family traits

Given their complexity, the new models are closely related to the Tondagraph GT sub-family. The architecture of the Tondagraph GT watches borrows freely from the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire, the brand’s first integrated chronograph movement, which took home the GPHG 2017 Chronograph Watch prize. Details like the beautiful teardrop-shaped pushers and lugs are inspired by the Chronor, while the fluted or knurled bezel is a hallmark feature of Michel Parmigiani’s Toric watch of 1996, his debut model for the brand. Other shared traits of the Tondagraph GT family are the elaborate guilloché decorated dial, the openworked delta-shaped hands, the integrated bracelet that flows seamlessly from the case and the impeccable finishings throughout.

Tondagraph GT Steel Silver Black

Although the silver and black panda dial is new, the Tondagraph GT is the same watch as the inaugural model of 2020 with its rare combination of a chronograph and an annual calendar. An ambitious mix of complications, the Tondagraph GT is a robust sports watch housed in a 42mm stainless steel case with 100m water-resistance. The streamlined case with its elegant teardrop-shaped pushers and lugs displays contrasting satin-brushed and polished finishings and the fluted bezel of the Toric.

The novelty here is the eye-catching silver and black panda dial. The central area of the dial displays a refined triangular hand-guilloché motif. The three black ceramic sub-dials stand out clearly against the matte silver background, as does the big date window below the brand name at noon. Unlike the first Tondagraph GT models with black dials and orange numerals in the big date window, the latest Tondagraph GT Steel Silver Black edition substitutes the orange details for white, making it even more legible. In addition to the big date, the month is relayed in the running seconds sub-dial at 3 o’clock with its two mounted semi-circular tracks running from 00-30 and 30-60. As an annual calendar, the month will need to be adjusted once a year, at the end of February. The sub-dials at 9 and 6 o’clock host the chronograph readouts. The rhodium-plated indices are applied by hand to the ribbed track and treated with black luminescent coating, as are the openworked delta-shaped hour and minute hands.

The sapphire caseback reveals the calibre PF043, an automatic modular chronograph and annual calendar movement. Fitted with an openworked 22k gold rotor generating a 45-hour power reserve, the movement beats at 28,800vph/4Hz. It features refined finishings such as the circular Côtes de Genève decoration on the bridges and circular graining.

Available with an integrated steel bracelet or a black vulcanized rubber strap, both options come with a folding clasp in stainless steel. It will be priced at CHF 18,500 on rubber strap and CHF 19,500 on steel bracelet.

Quick facts: 42mm diameter x 13.7mm thickness –  stainless steel, polished and brushed – knurled bezel – screw-down crown – 100m water-resistance – anti-reflective sapphire over dial, sapphire crystal caseback – silver guilloché dial with black ceramic sub-dials – applied indices and delta-shaped openworked hands with black luminescent coating – big date at 12 o’clock – running seconds at 3 o’clock with month – 12h chronograph counter at 6 o’clock – 30-seconds counter  at 9 o’clock – calibre PF043, in-house automatic – 28,800vph/4Hz – 443 components – 56 jewels – 48h power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, annual calendar and chronograph –– CHF 18,500  black rubber strap (Ref. PFC906-0000140- X01482) – CHF 19,500 stainless steel bracelet (Ref. PFC906 – 0000140 – B00182)

Tondagraph GT Rose Gold Silver Black

Last year, Parmigiani expanded the Tondagraph GT collection with a Rose Gold Blue model released during the Watches & Wonders Shanghai show. Externally similar to the steel Tondagraph GT, the rose gold model boasted a very different engine. Beneath the sapphire caseback, Parmigiani equipped its Tondagraph GT Rose Gold with its in-house calibre PF071, a COSC chronometer-certified movement based on its GPHG award-winning calibre PF361. With a 65-hour power reserve, the integrated chronograph relies on a column wheel and a vertical clutch and beats at a high frequency of 5Hz/26,00vph allowing the stopwatch to capture intervals of 1/10^th of a second. Although it does not include the annual calendar (month) function, it features an integrated big date mechanism. An elite top-level calibre, PF361 is hand polished and chamfered with sandblasted surfaces, a sunray pattern on the 22k gold rotor and hand-finished bridges.

The novelty for 2021 is the silver and black panda dial on the rose gold Tondagraph GT. The vivid contrast between the silver guilloché background and the three black ceramic sub-dials gives the watch an even sportier appeal. The 18k rose gold indices are applied and treated with black luminescent coating, just like the openworked delta-shaped hour and minute hands. Unlike the steel version, the big date window is placed above the brand name, just below the double indices at noon. The three black ceramic sub-dials host the chronograph times at 3 and 9 with the running seconds sub-dial at 6 o’clock with the same 00-30 and 30-60 layout as the steel model and the inscription 5Hz chronograph.

The luxurious 42mm rose gold case, with a height of 14.3mm, is beautifully satin-finished and polished and, despite its sophisticated movement and sapphire caseback, offers a robust 100m water-resistance. Available on an integrated ergonomically crafted rose gold bracelet or a textured black rubber strap, the Tondagraph GT Rose Gold Silver Black joins the regular collection.

Quick facts: 42mm diameter x 14.3mm height – 18k rose gold, brushed and polished – knurled bezel – screw-down crown – 100m water-resistance – anti-reflective sapphire over dial, sapphire crystal caseback – silver guilloché dial with black ceramic sub-dials – chronograph indications in sub-dials at 3 and 9, running seconds at 6 o’clock – applied indices and delta-shaped openworked hands with black luminescent coating – big date at 12 o’clock – calibre PF071 (based on calibre PF361) automatic with integrated chronograph and big date display – COSC-certified – chronograph with column wheel and vertical clutch – 5Hz/26,000vph – 331 components – 42 jewels – 65h power reserve – hours, minutes, small seconds, big date and chronograph – CHF 41,000 black rubber strap  (Ref. PFC903-1500140-X01482) – CHF 65,500 (Ref. PFC903-1500140-B10082)

For more details, please visit www.parmigiani.com.